February 11 Meeting and Newsletter

At the February 11 meeting, we have invited all of the candidates for Cook County States Attorney and for Cook County Clerk to a forum where they can share their ideas with you. We will also hear from a representative from the Lakeview Food Pantry. Also, Dillon Goodson, Executive Director of the Lakeview Chamber of Commerce will share ideas on enhancing the business climate in the neighborhood.

Tuesday, February 11, 20202
Athenaeum Theatre
2936 N. Southport
Doors open: 6:30PM
Meeting begins: 7:00PM

As usual, we will hear from Jeff Delong, Director of Marketing and Development for the Athenaeum Theater. After 8 years of growing the Athenaeum, Jeff is moving on to another position in the city. Many thanks to Jeff for his contributions to the neighborhood.

At the December holiday party…

SLN would like to thank the following for their donations to the raffle and making the party a huge success.

The finale of the raffle was the Split-the-Pot Raffle with the proceeds going to the Lakeview Pantry. The kitty was over $250. The winner graciously donated their share of the winnings back to the Lakeview Pantry.

The Art of Pizza: SLN would like to thank Art for his very generous donation of Gift Cards to the Holiday Party and his continued support as a two page advertiser. Little known fact – Art is an actual person, though mostly invisible.

The Golden Apple Grill & Breakfast House – also an advertiser
S & G Restaurant – also an advertiser
Breakfast House – also an advertiser
Que Rico Mexican Restaurant
Side Street Saloon
The Coffee Lab
The Athenaeum Theatre
Lakeview Computer Specialists– also an advertiser
Victor Guistino – historical post cards
SLN Board – Liquor prizes

Read more in the newsletter.

December Newsletter & Holiday Party

ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARTY

  • Will’s Northwoods Inn – 3030 N. Racine
  • Tuesday, December 10: 6:30PM to 8:30PM (Note that the date in the newsletter is incorrect!)
  • All food and drinks will be served in the Big White Tent.
  • Open bar – beer, wine, well drinks and pop.
  • Food – prepared on site by Will’s Northwoods
  • PAID SLN Members, family and neighborhood friends are invited.
  • New Members are welcome.
  • All Advertisers are welcome
  • You can pay your dues at the DOOR – $10.
  • Holiday donations by SLN: Please note that all the proceeds from the raffles will go to The Lakeview Food Pantry. Prizes are donated and collected by the SLN Board. Thank you in advance for your generosity.

DONATION NOTES to SLN Members:

Consider a private donation to The Lakeview Pantry for the Holiday Season. Your cash donation to the Pantry can go far to help those in need during the Holiday Season and beyond. Go to their website at www.lakeviewpantry.org.

Athenaeum Theatre Restoration Fund:
The SLN monthly membership meetings are held at The Athenaeum Theatre in what has to be the coolest neighborhood group meeting venue in the City. The Athenaeum Theatre is raising $260,000 for “immediate” outside building repairs. Currently, $35,600 has been raised from the modest restoration fee on each ticket sold and individual donors. Go to their website for additional information on donating to the Restoration Fund at www.athenaeumtheatre.org

From the newsletter

Cook County Assessor Mr. Fritz Kaegi
For the first time in SLN history, the Cook County Assessor appeared in front of the SLN membership. Newly elected Assessor Mr. Fritz Kaegi took the podium and stated that he has been on the speaking circuit getting out the message on the changes at the Assessor’s office.
Read more in the newsletter — it was a very interesting presentation.

2933-35-37 N. Southport and 2956 N. Lincoln – Developer Plan
The Developer and his Architect presented his plan for this oddly shaped group of four non-conforming city lots that he named Southport Key as together the lots somewhat resemble a key. The Developer stated that no zoning change is needed for his proposal but some Zoning adjustments were needed for the Development to be approved.
Read more in the newsletter — There are a lot (no pun) of details and the discussion was somewhat contentious. The vote of those in attendance was 2 to 1 opposed to the development as presented.

We’re looking for a few good neighbors to join the SLN board
Due to a Director relocation, SLN is looking for a Director for the 2019-2020 season. According to the SLN by-laws, the duty of the Director is to attend the board meetings to lend advice. A Director also helps plan the monthly membership meetings, makes suggestions for future meetings or head a committee. The Board meetings are normally the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 6:30PM for the months of August-November and January-May. If interested contact SLN at info@slneighbors.org.

November Meeting & Newsletter

When?
Tuesday, November 12, 2019
6:30 PM: Doors open
7:00 PM: Meeting Begins

Where?
Athenaeum Theatre
2936 N. Soutport

Agenda

Cook County Assessor – Fritz Kaegi
– making your Property Taxes go down?
Newly elected Assessor Mr. Fritz Kaegi will update the membership on his election promise to make real estate assessments more in line for residential homeowners when compared to the under- assessed high-rise buildings Downtown. The plan would be for the high-end Downtown buildings to pay more real estate taxes than they have been. Will our neighborhood taxes go down? Who knows. But there is the $880 million City Budget short fall… Let’s see what he has to say.

2933-35-37 N. Southport and 2956 N. Lincoln – Developer Plan
The long-time owner of 2933 N. Southport, started buying up neighboring properties and has now toggled together the three properties on Southport north of the alley and 2956 N. Lincoln Ave resulting in an unusually shaped piece of land for development. 2933 N. Southport was formerly the site of The Emerald City Theatre for children. The two Southport properties are two-flat frame rentals. 2935 does not appear occupied. 2956 Lincoln is a three-flat frame with unoccupied comercial at ground level. It is south of Papacitos Mexican Grill. The lots are all non-conforming city lots that are land-locked and are basically connected in the back. These buildings are not in good shape.

Developer Proposal: The lots are all zoned B3-3 with a total of 7,200 square ft. One standard city lot of 25×125 is 3,125 sq.ft. The Developer is proposing a contiguous 4-story, 52ft. high building with twelve 2-bedroom condo units on floors 2-4 and commercial on the ground level on both sides. There will be only 11 parking spaces to make space for trash to be stored on-site. This will be a lot-line to lot-line development. Car access to the enclosed garage will be off the alley. The exterior design consists of black glass, dark gray and silver aluminum panels on the front and concrete block elsewhere.

No zoning change is needed for this Development. However, in order to achieve this plan, the Developer needs rear setback relief (no yards or open space), relief from the 1 unit to 1 parking space requirement (short one space) and “alley access” relief.

Alley access relief is required under the current zoning, no more than 6 cars can access a garage through the alley on a contiguous Development. The Developer is seeking neighborhood approval before they appear at the Zoning Board of Appeals. SLN’s Neighborhood Development & Review Committee (NDRC) does not support the proposal of this specific plan and recommends reducing the total number of Units to 8. In addition, the NDRC recommends that a building design fits into the character of the neighborhood and that a traditional brick and limestone trim would be better.

Nearby Developments:
2964 N. Lincoln is a new high-end brick building that houses The Bloomfield Development Co on the first floor. That building extends from Lincoln to Southport with the garage access off of Southport. 2962 N. Lincoln is a 3-level brick building that is in the process on a total gut rehab. The architect’s Site Plan can be found at the back of the newsletter

This will be a voting issue.

311 System – Modernization
Great News. The City is revamping the 311 system. The City has partnered with the William Everett Group to speak to and listen to residents and businesses about the changes.

Wazwan Supper Club Pop-up Restaurant – 3056 N. Lincoln Ave.
Pop-up is the new thing in the food industry. Wazwan features a Kashmir/Indian cuisine. Most recently, they had a stint in Ukrainian Village. 4.5 star rating on Yelp. They will probably bring some food.

Read more in the newsletter.

October Meeting & Newsletter

I’m not sure how it happened, but it’s October already. The new newsletter is hot off the presses.

Our October meeting is Tuesday, October 15.

ATHENAEUM THEATRE
2936 N. SOUTHPORT
6:30 PM- Member socializing
7:00PM – Meeting begins

Agenda:

  • State Rep- Ann Williams
  • Cook County Commissioner Bridget Degnen
  • Lakeview High School – Principal presentation
  • 311 System – Modernization Plan

State Representative – Ann Williams
With a Democrat now in the Governor’s mansion and the legislative grid-lock opened up somewhat, but still no money, Ms. Williams has been busy in Springfield. She may talk on the some of the following topics:
Fair Tax Proposal
Recreational Cannabis
Balanced Budget
Capital Funding for Infrastructure and Schools
Clean and Renewable Energy
Data Privacy and Transparency

Cook County Commissioner – Bridget Degnen
Now with almost a year under her belt, Ms. Degnen has requested to appear before the SLN membership for an update on the Cook County Board operations. Ms. Degnan is currently the Vice Chair on the Rules Committee and the Environment and Sustainability Committee

Lakeview High School
Principal Paul “PJ” Karafiol will update us on the scholastics and activities at our neighborhood school Lakeview High School. Did you know that Lakeview won the CPS City Baseball Championship the last two years?

311 System – Modernization
Great News. The City is revamping the 311 system. The City has partnered with the William Everett Group to speak to and listen to residents and businesses about the changes. They have requested to appear at the October meeting. Bring it on.

At the September meeting…

New President Bob Blitstein welcomed everyone.

Alderman Scott Waguespack talked about the state of the ward and the state of the city. There’s a lot to that, so please check the detailed summary in the newsletter.

There was a vote on the proposal to redevelop the two lots at 1514-18 W. Diversey. The membership voted “no” by 32 to 24. Please check the detailed summary in the newsletter.

Burley School Principal, Ms. Catherine Plocher, updated us on the state of Burley.

We hope to see you all at the October meeting on the 15th. Save time in line and renew your membership now.