by Ronald Roenigk
Publisher
Ald. Tom Tunney (44th) wasted little time getting to work after his Jan. 16 appointment as alderman of this diverse lakefront ward. He proposed dramatic downzoning over some of the area’s most popular commercial thoroughfares during a chilly press conference on Monday at the vacant home of the Jane Addams Hull House, 3212 N. Broadway Ave.
In his first legislative act as alderman, Tunney has introduced six ordinances in City Council to downzone sections of Southport Ave., Halsted St. and Broadway Ave., including the site of the shuttered Jane Addams Hull House, where developers have been circling with plans to build a condominium project anchored by a health club at this congested intersection.
“This is my first step to try to control some of the congestion in Lakeview,” said Tunney. “As an area resident I too am concerned with the hour-long backups down Belmont Ave. and the trouble it is to get through this intersection and to Lake Shore Dr. I intend to downzone these areas to alleviate congestion along the lakefront to ensure that the integrity of our neighborhood and the quality of life for our residents remains strong and viable for generations to come.”
The plan would reduce the height and density ceiling for sections of Halsted St, from Diversey north to Grace St., in order to “attain continuity along the entire stretch of Halsted’s commercial area,” said Tunney. Many residents and activists in the community have called for restrictions on further residential development along Halsted St. over concerns that this would jeopardize the entertainment district that has developed there over the last three decades.
“I will be bringing these proposed zoning changes back to the community to debate and only then take them to the [full] City Council [for a vote] once the community has signed off on them,” said Tunney.
He also announced the formation of a 40-member, 44th Ward Community Development Council, which will review zoning changes and other community issues. Tunney is presently in the process of putting together a board of directors for this council, which will be made up of community group representatives and business leaders in Lake View. The council will hold community forums to debate neighborhood issues such as downzoning with Tunney, who will then take the recommendations to City Hall on their behalf.
“I am happy that the new alderman is reaching out to the community with this new zoning,” said Michael Marchant, an area resident and member of the 23rd Dist. Community Policing Advisory Council. “We need to prevent this block, that is made up now of small businesses and single family homes, from becoming lined with block-long big developments and condominium towers built over chain stores and offering no new parking.”
“I want to thank Tom Tunney for finally hearing the voice of the people,” said Dean Maragos, one of four candidates running against Tunney for the 44th Ward Alderman’s seat in the Feb. 25 primary election. “The problems of over-development in this ward are not new and should have been addressed by former Ald. Bernie Hansen. Let’s not forget that it was Hansen who was responsible for the over-development in the ward.”
Tunney cited chronic over-development and congestion as the primary reasons for his decision. In some cases the plan reduces by one-half the maximum density for the affected streets. The downside for the property owners is that it will also reduce an affected property’s redevelopment value due to the lower density under the new zoning. |
