East Village Association membership meeting minutes, January 13, 2014 Submitted by Meghan Quinn Planning, Preservation & Development: Forbidden Root, 1746 W. Chicago Ave. A new brewery and taproom is interested in moving into the former Hub Theater space at 1746 W. Chicago Ave. They will need the liquor moratorium lifted in order to sell packaged goods, and they also need zoning changed from B to C to produce beer on site. EVA has worked to purposefully downzone from C to B in a lot of the commercial strip areas to keep out unwanted light industry uses such as dry cleaning and auto services. Additionally, from an urban planning standpoint, commercial zoning adjacent to residential zoning and spot zoning are not ideal practices. There are some existing C zoned areas close by on Grand Avenue that would work well for a project such as this one. At this point, the planning committee is against the upzone and moratorium lift, as it goes against what they have been working toward f

East Village Association board meeting minutes, January 13, 2014 Submitted by Meghan Quinn Planning, Preservation & Development: Forbidden Root, 1746 W. Chicago Ave. Representatives approached Neal McKnight with their proposed brewery-taproom on Chicago Avenue. They need a liquor moratorium lifted, and the zoning changed from B to C to open at that location. McKnight discussed the project with Scott Rappe and Peter Locke of the PPD committee, and they all agreed that the project would be fine if they kept within the existing zoning of the site. Rich Anselmo stated that he and EVA fought for B zoning there, as well as along much of Chicago Avenue to keep out unwanted uses such as dry cleaning and auto services. Additionally, from an urban planning standpoint, commercial zoning adjacent to residential zoning and spot zoning are not ideal practices. There are some existing C zoned areas close by on Grand Avenue that would work well for such a project. EVA worked extensively

Free events include a screening of the film "Revolution '67." By Jason Nosek , library associate Celebrate Valentine's Day by going on a blind date with a book: Drop by the West Town Branch Library the week of Valentine’s Day, Feb. 10 through 14, and pick up a wrapped and decorated book. There will be hints as to what each book is about to pique your interest, but you won't know what you have until you are on your "date." Simply pick one out, check it out at the circulation desk, bring it home, unwrap it, and enjoy! Unlike a regular blind date, there’ll be no awkward questions, no forced conversations, and no judgmental looks. It could provide an enjoyable evening, a dud, or just maybe the love of your life! It’s our Valentine to library users.

The East Village Association is pleased that Forbidden Root is willing to consider compromises to its original proposal, including legislative changes, and we look forward to working with them on these issues. As we noted in our most recent statement, w e look forward to continuing to work with Forbidden Root to craft a proposal that would allow the business to open and to maintain the protections available to the surrounding residents. —Neal McKnight, EVA president

Proposed site of Forbidden Root, 1746 W. Chicago Ave. President's Message By Neal McKnight It's again a critical time for East Village and the other neighborhoods near the Loop. There's a strong attraction to neighborhoods near the core of the city. East Village already benefits from this demographic trend, and is challenged by it. The East Village Association recognized this and consulted other groups – and most importantly Ald. Proco Joe Moreno and his staff – to develop a plan that would address the challenges of Chicago’s changing demographics. As part of this plan, in April 2013 Ald. Moreno agreed to maintain the liquor moratoria in the East Village Association territory until May 2015. It is important to note that not all liquor licenses are banned by the moratoria, and new East Village restaurants continue to obtain incidental liquor licenses. The purpose of the plan was to allow our past planning experience with liquor sales guide the continued development of

President's Message By Neal McKnight There has been a great deal of talk today about EVA's involvement in a request to upzone a Chicago Avenue property from B to C zoning to accommodate a small brewery with wholesale sales and an accompanying large bar. Forbidden Root presented a proposal to EVA representatives knowing full well that their proposal was contrary to the City of Chicago zoning, contrary to what both Alderman Moreno, EVA and others had together agreed were appropriate uses for this area. Nevertheless, EVA discussed with a representative of Forbidden Root the proposal and requested that they alter their plans so that they need not request a zoning change from B to C zoning. First, EVA suggested that they open an establishment that served their own beer as being incidental to food service. Second, we asked that they not use the location as their wholesale beer sales point. Notably, these uses are not described in the flyer that is being distributed. We have h

The Polish Triangle's prototypal transit-oriented development has a long history. The 1611 West Division location was a YMCA , a Pizza Hut and (at least on the drawing boards) a Walgreens drugstore. Next month it opens with 99 apartments above a PNC bank and Intelligentsia coffee bar. This site has posted more than 700 articles since 2007, not counting archived editions of the East Village Association newsletter . Names have changed for prominent sites: News about the 1611 West Division address is filed under Pizza Hut and lead anchor PNC Bank. Similarly, the several Fifield Cos. apartment proposals for 1822-50 W. Chicago Ave. are known for the vacant site's last building, the AAA Distributing news agency, and its onetime prospects for renovation as the Chicago Bowl nightclub. Search engines and real-estate blogs such as Curbed cite this site for background on these developments. Some of our most often-viewed posts date from several years back, including stubbornly p

The Happy Village is having an event Monday and our usual meeting space is unavailable. In addition, the forecast predicts a temperature of about 10 below, and the BCS National Championship Game is the same night. So the next meeting will be Monday, Jan. 13. The board meets at 6:30pm at the Happy Village, 1059 N. Wolcott Ave., with the membership meeting to follow at 7pm.