 |
| Image via Google Streetview |
In this week's newsletter, Ald. Clay says:
"Zoning & Development -- 4116 N. Clark
The tenant, Access Contemporary Music, is seeking a zoning change from RS-3 to B3-1 to turn the currently vacant space into another location for ACM.
The space would house rooms for music lessons for adults and children, as well as a 60-seat performance space. Performances would take place Thursday-Sunday and operations would conclude by 10pm. The applicant also hopes to serve alcoholic beverages at concerts.
20 parking spots would be provided on-site. A zoning change is required for the proposed use.
More information can be found here. You can provide feedback on this proposal via a survey here. The survey is open for two weeks and will close on Friday, May 3rd at 5pm."
Observant UU readers know that Access Contemporary Music received a $250,000 Community Development Grant from the Chicago Recovery Plan, announced in February.
Since they have the cash available, and we hate empty storefronts, it seems to us a good move to support the zoning change. Your mileage, as always, may vary.
What about parking?? Big issue in this area.
ReplyDeleteWorst take possible
DeleteIt says 20 parking spots will be provided, but where will those 20 spots come from? There is limited parking space on Clark/Southport/Warner for residents. The wording of this proposal makes it seem like these spots will appear out of thin air, but it will be locals who lose their parking access.
DeleteIf you need more parking you should build it on your own private property
DeleteRead
ReplyDeleteIdk about 7-11 but it's clearly a former White Hen Pantry building.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great addition to the neighborhood - hope this succeeds
ReplyDeleteA great deal of thought went into this observation. 🤔
DeleteClearly the directors of ACM have never visited this site. If they intend to put a 60 person performance space, plus practice rooms and classrooms in this little building, I hope they have some powerful magic. On top of that, they propose 20 parking spaces. The existing lot has seven. That’ll be one skinny parking garage they have to build. Obviously the proposal is B.S. That’s why there are no details available describing how this fantastical facility is supposed to bloom from a dead White Hen. Even if this proposal could be brought to fruition, the concept is completely wrong for the VERY residential neighborhood. I live across Southport from this location in Graceland West. The last thing we need in the neighborhood is a 20 vehicle parking nightmare dumped on top of the existing traffic boondoggle that is Clark Street. A 60 seat auditorium will drag more automobile traffic onto overburdened Clark Street and surrounding streets. Clark has been a traffic nightmare since the installation of the dedicated bike lanes and curbs. Noise and pollution have noticeably increased. Parking in the area was dramatically reduced by installation of the bike lanes. Emergency vehicles now have difficulty moving through the area during even moderate traffic loads. The surrounding residential streets are already over burdened by demand for street parking. 20 vehicles in and out of a parking facility will increase the existing traffic jams on Clark (post bike lane) by an order of magnitude.
ReplyDeleteI encourage all residents of Graceland West and surrounding neighborhoods to contact the 46th and 47th Ward alderpersons and insist the rezoning request be denied. Then attend the Zoning meeting in person or by Zoom to make your voice heard.
This is not a NIMBY-type opposition to development. My neighbors and I would welcome a redevelopment of this parcel. But an appropriate redevelopment that is complementary to the existing residential neighborhood. In the meantime, let’s wait and see just what kind of plan will be proposed to magically transform this small parcel into a performance venue, serving alcohol, and accommodating 20 parked cars.