An open letter to Ald. Vi Daley (43rd) re 725 W. Willow
I must I am a little bewildered by your overwhelming support that you had shown for this project (725 W. Willow). I would have expected that both you and Lincoln Central Association would have opposed the proposed building for numerous reasons:
City of Chicago Zoning Ordinance Chapter 17-3.
* The B1 district is intended to exhibit the physical characteristics of a storefront-style shopping streets that are oriented to pedestrians.
* Protection of the character of the established residential neighborhoods.
* Maintaining economically vibrant as well as attractive Business & Commercial areas.
The proposed building will be taller than any and all buildings on all residential streets surrounding this project by at least 5 feet and this includes Halsted Street as well. This will also be higher that the just approved building located at 1929-1945 N. Halsted which you are approving for a restricted height of 50 feet. It is even mentioned in the Lincoln Central Association news letter that most neighbors were concerned with its height. Why are you not requiring commercial on the first floor? Presently there are more businesses on this street than residential units by a 7 to 2 margin and yet your office and the neighborhood association has decided to change the make-up of the block without the consent of the property owners most affected by the change: the business/ property owners located between 701 and 725 W. Willow Street. How many board members live on the street affected? Have you ever thought what impact your decision will make to the businesses affected? The corner store at Willow and Orchard has already seen reduced sales because of the church moving. Office exposures will bring in only moderately more foot traffic yet it will produce more revenues than just residential units.
My biggest concern is the lack of consistency that your office and Lincoln Central Association has shown on these issues. Lincoln Central Association recently wrote an article talking about Tim Glascott and how he had done such a wonderful job on his property located at 2209 N. Halsted. What makes this building so great is, it’s a "Three-story Victorian." Well, why are you not being consistent with this property which will be a five story building on a
residential street?
A few years ago when you and the neighborhood associations decided, again without the full support of the business and commercial property owners, to make Armitage and Halsted Avenue a Landmark District, you specially cited a newly constructed building near Dayton and Armitage Ave., where Active Endeavors Kids is located, as a reason to down zone the area. Why is it OK to oppose that building yet approve a similar building in a strictly residential area?
I truly get that sense that you only want to foster certain business developments yet restrict the majority of them.
Part of what makes this neighborhood so special is the ability to conduct business in close proximity to your home. You should be embracing business, not discouraging it. Business owners should have rights also and presently we are being over ruled with total disregard. At some point we will have to show our support to someone who understands our needs and requirements.
I am simply asking that you and Lincoln Central Association reevaluate your decision and act in the best interest of the neighbors and not allow the variances to take place.
Thomas Ward |
