By Peter von Buol
Special to Inside
Zoning continues to be a hot topic in the 32nd Ward. On the evening of Thursday, Oct. 13, Ald. Ted Matlak (32nd) hosted a private meeting with representatives of the Ward's numerous community organizations including those from the Bucktown, Ukrainian Village, Wicker Park and Roscoe Village neighborhoods.
Although one of the community representatives in attendance had asked Inside to send a reporter, the invitation was rescinded at the insistence of Philip Edison, the chairman of the Bucktown Community Organization's zoning and planning committee. Edison told Inside he believed that prohibiting the press would enable participants to speak more freely with Matlak. Representatives from other news outlets were also turned away from the meeting.
Prior to the meeting, representatives from the Ward's neighborhood groups had decided it would be in the best interest of them all if they combined forces to have a meeting with the alderman, because they shared common concerns. Most said they had questions regarding recent zoning.
Last month, representatives from the Bucktown Community Organization expressed concern that their group felt shut out from providing input regarding proposed zoning changes. In addition, last week the newsletter of the Roscoe Village Neighbors reported it was dismayed to learn that a section of Roscoe St. east of Western Ave. had lost the protection of a zoning overlay.
While Inside was not allowed to cover the meeting, Edison provided an account of the evening. An attempt was made to contact the alderman by telephone and email but Matlak did not respond by deadline.
According to Edison, the participants and Matlak discussed problems with the zoning notification process. Even though mandated by law, public notification of proposed zoning changes is being conducted in an inadequate way, say the groups. Edison says the alderman acknowledged the problem but added it has been a city-wide issue that the Chicago City Council is aware of and is "working on."
Edison added that Matlak told the group he had not been more active in communicating with them because some groups had been "compromised" by members who he said "lack integrity."
Edison, in his written synopsis, said Matlak told the group he had "experienced situations in the past where the members of neighborhood groups used their positions to try to further personal economic goals."
In addition, Edison said he and the fellow representatives at the meeting agreed with Matlak that if an individual abuses his or her affiliation with a neighborhood group, he or she should be removed from any position of responsibility.
According to Matlak, "This differs from a person who pushes for a personal vision as to how to make a neighborhood a better place. We seek to have a balanced set of perspectives within the group, but everybody should have the same goal."
Edison says he disagrees with those who say the alderman has been punishing all neighborhood groups due to the actions of a few. He says he wants to keep open the lines of communication with the alderman, and adds that zoning decisions are really up to the alderman—and neighborhood groups only provide input.
"He doesn't have to listen to us," said Edison. "He's the alderman and these are his decisions to make."
Matlak, said Edison, also told the group some decisions were made because of time constraints.
Edison also writes, "The alderman was worried about time delays, not so much with developers, but in a situation where a family needs more space within their home. We agreed to expeditiously review all submissions at the next scheduled committee meeting and to keep the process moving quickly."
The neighborhood groups, according to Edison, told the alderman they would exercise "fairness and reasonableness" when dealing with neighborhood residents who were requesting zoning changes. In response, "the alderman agreed to submit all proposals for zoning changes to the respective neighborhood group for consideration and advisement."
Edison said the alderman said his office in the past has been confused when different people have called his office and represented a neighborhood organization. He suggested each group appoint an officer who would deal directly with his chief of staff, Tina Gesiakowski, and that when the officer's term ended Matlak's office be notified of the change.
Inside attempted to contact others who attended the meeting but they failed to respond to telephone calls and emails before the deadline.
Edison said he was pleased with the outcome of the meeting and is looking forward to what he believes will be improved communication with his alderman. "I think it was a very positive meeting and we are excited to work more closely with Ald. Matlak," he said. |
