Commission of Chicago Landmarks 2-Permit Review Committee Updated 10-02-05
For Background information, see: Association House, "Playground Fight..", Commission on Chicago Landmarks, Wicker Park Contact Information, Commission on Chicago Landmarks 3, Commission on Chicago Landmarks 4 and Association House 2
Permit Review Committee
Commission on Chicago Landmarks 2
April 13, 2005 Booster Wicker Park Bucktown Ukrainian Village
"City panel says Association House playground eligible for development"
By Adam Pincus Correspondent
"Wicker Park neighbors, preservationists and parks advocate have lost their battle to preserve a local playgrond.
"City officials determined last week that the 104-year playground, although in both Chicago and national historic districts, is not protected open space and therefore can be developed.
"Supporters of the playground, 2150 W. North Ave., told members of the city panel Thursday, April 7 that the open space should be considered a protected feature of Chicago's Wicker Park Historice District, due to its streetscape and its century-long use as a playground.
"But the four-member permit review committee of the Commission on Chicago Landmarks determined othrwise, in a decision committee Ben Weese called, " A tough one."
"The decision allows future development on the property, bringing some clarity to a dispute that made it difficult for Association House to sell the property.
"Association House, which owns the playground and a historic building on the parcel, sought the decision in order to sell and vacate the property and consolidate its operations in a new facility in Humboldt Park at 1116 N. Kedzie Ave.
"'We are pleased by the decision to determine that [the open space] is buildable,' Harriet Sadauskas, Association House executive director, said after the meeting, adding that the building is 'on the market. We are accepting offers.'
"One of the chief defenders of the playgrond, Wicker Park resident Craig Norris, blamed Ald. Ted Matlak (32nd) for not defending the open space.
"'If he had wanted it protected, he would have helped the community,' Norris said. 'He hasn't helped.'
"This debate set the interests of a respected non-profit organization seeking top-dollar for its land against playground supporters concerned that a another condominium development will eat into Wicker Park's already short supply of parks.
"Arguing on behalf of the city, Commission on Chicago Landmarks staff member Dijana Cuvalo said that since no historic features from the original playground remain, the open space is not a contributing feature of the Wicker Park Historic District."
"According to "Wicker Park From 1673 Thru 1929 and Walking Tour Guide," (Wicker Park History)...by 1905 this facility [the playground] had a permanent shelter, four shower baths, a sandbox, ten swings, two teeter-toters, two large rope swings, four lawn swings, and two giant slides. Daily attendance was reported to be 500 to 1,000...
"Following Cuvalo's testimony, several members of the public spoke in favor of protecting the playground.
"Attorney Michael Rachlis, representing the preservationist neighbors, questioned how the permit review committee could be making a determination without a permit application.
"He played on words from Brian Goeken, deputy commissioner of the Landmarks Division, who called the determination 'an unusual situation.'
"Rachlis said, 'I suggest that this is an unusual situation because you have no right to do this...It sets a bad precedent,' he said.
"Committee member Phyllis Ellin later defended the right to make such a decision.
"'This is not unusual. Often we make two decisions,' she said, explaining that at times the committee decides first whether a change can be made on the property, and in a second determination whether the proposal is good.
"Royce A. Yeater, the Midwest director of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, defended the open space, concerned by a decision to separate the building from its streetscape.
"'Seems to us that a precedent could apply to farmsteads, or large homes.... They can now be subdivided into properties and sold off,' he said.
"A representative from Friends of the Parks read a statement in support of the playground. A letter supporting the playground from David Bahman, president of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, was also sent to the committee.
"Two members who voted to allow development on the property said they were concerned they would be exercising too great of an authority if they prohibited construction on open space with no historic features.
"'This is charting new terrain. It verges on a taking.' said chairman Weese.
"Matlak, who has not taken a public stance on the question of building on the playground, was torn between the advocates for open space and the representatives of the not-for-profit. He called both groups, 'Pure of heart.'
"'The solution is for the government to acquire [the land]. The Park District wants it, but there is no funding... I agree with neighbors that we need open space, but I don't have the money to do it,' he said at the hearing.
"He did not think the committee decision would end the debate.
"'Ultimately this will be decided by the judicial branch,' he said to the committee.
"The public debate began in September after neighbors saw a sign on the Association House building advertising the sale of the 11 city lots on North Avenue. Developers later came forward and on January (12, 1905-Association House) presented plans to the local neighborhood assocition, Wicker Park Committee, for a large condo development.
"The neighbors rejected the plans. In a separate vote that month, the group passed a motion (January 5, 2005 Association House) stating that the playground was protected and therfore could not be built on.
"In early March (2005), the developers withdrew their proposal."
WEB COMMENT: "Not a contributing feature?" So what (or who) is contributing to what (or who)? Commission on Chicago Landmarks 3
April 7, 2005 Public Meeting
Permit Review Committee: "Not a contributing feature"
The following item appeared on the agenda, "Permit Review Committee (Commission of Chicago Landmarks),
Summary of projects and staff recommendations, April 2005," 2150 W. North Avenue
(Association House) (Wicker Park District)
Applicant: Harriet Sadauskas, Executive Director, Association House of Chicago, Uve R. Jerzy, The Law Offices of Uve R. Jerzy
Proposal: There is no project proposed for the site at this time, however, the property is for sale and the owner is asking for the determination by the Permit Review Committee whether:
a) The vacant portion of the lot is a contributing feature in the Wicker Park Landmark District.
b) The vacant portion of the lot can therefore be improved by new constuction.
Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends that:
1. The Committee find that the vacant portion of the subject property (the Association House playground and parking area) is not a contributing feature and may be developed with new constuction.
The Permait Review Committee adopted the staff recommendation.
