I wanted to bring to your attention an item that I haven’t yet seen mentioned in your blog. Last Monday (August 20) Joe Moore held a community meeting to discuss a request by Jami and Suzanna Ali, who reside at 1215 W. Sherwin, to lease the public way (the parkway) in front of their building to allow for the perpindicular parking of four vehicles.
According to the alderman’s website, “They recently converted the building to condominiums, but have had difficulty selling the units because the building lacks off-street parking."
The 49th Ward Zoning and Land Use Advisory Committee voted to recommend that [Moore] oppose the lease application. The Committee did not believe this type of parkway cut-out has been allowed in any other residential area in the city, and was concerned about the precedent that would be set if it were allowed in this instance.
The Ali's have asked Joe Moore for an opportunity to make their case to their neighbors and demonstrate community support for their plan.
The day after the meeting, I was contacted by a friend who lives on Sherwin, angry that this proposal had been approved at the meeting by a show of hands, 9-4.
Frankly, I don’t know how a vote of this sort could be considered a valid recommendation to the alderman that the Sherwin neighbors approved of this proposal.
I spoke with Michael Land at the Alderman’s office and he confirmed the above facts. I asked if the vote results would be posted on the alderman’s website and he told me no. Are they afraid people would find out?
I asked Mr. Land if another meeting could be held if all the residents of the street signed a petition against this proposal. Again, he said no.
I believe the Zoning Committee was correct to oppose this request because it sets a bad precedent to allow a developer to use public land for private use. This is just more encroachment on green space near the lake.
I thought Joe Moore pledged to protect the lakefront. Perhaps someone can look into whether the Ali’s are contributors to Joe Moore.
Thanks for posting this,
Just call me long-time reader Carla
BLOGNOTES: Carla, maybe Syed & Khalida Ali from Chicago knows Jami and Suzanna Ali from Chicago?
$200.00 on 2/20/2007, Individual Contribution to Citizens for Joe Moore
8 comments:
Joe Moore has made a mockery of his so-called open and transparent zoning club. It's not like I didn't warn everyone.
Yup... I am sure that everyone with the last name "Ali" knows each other.
Also... how does providing this parking have anything to do with "protecting the lakefront." Parking in someone's front yard/parkway isn't going to disturb the lakefront.
Don't get me wrong - I don't like this type of parking being approved. But it has very little, if anything, to do with "protecting the lakefront."
Isn't this just like he did it for the Adelphi Theater?
Yes it is.
We even had a very large petition, which he shredded.
Theres no democracy here.
More on special curb-cuts. This one's illegal.
ANOTHER JOE MOORE WASHOUT- WHEN ARE THE PEOPLE GOING TO WAKE UP-
WONDER HOW MUCH POLITICAL DONATION HE GOT FOR THIS-
LOOK AS IF MICHAEL IS TURNING INTO A JOE JUNIOR-
so, did it then get approved? has the alderman taken any action?
Does this approval by Mr. Moore mean that if I don't a small amount I can rip up my parkway, which is CITY PROPERTY, and convert it into private parking. I could make about $400 - $500 per month! Not a bad extra income.
Didn't the owners of the condo conversion realize there was no parking available to sell with their high priced condos.I really am ticked off about this and wonder, (1) will their tax bill increase? (2) how much will the city ( of Mr. Alderman) lease the spaces for?
(3) Does this lease mean tax bills will decrease for owners who do not lease their parkways from the city.
This is really strange, and if as you have posted is true, this con converter is really a low life and it makes me sad, really, really sad.
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