The Oct. 8 East Village Association meeting will be at a new location, Golden Years at 1938 W. Chicago Ave. Members will vote on a recommendation to Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36th) on a proposed zoning change at 1807-09 W. Augusta Blvd. The EVA meeting at Golden Years (formerly High Dive) starts at 7pm with a presentation by Nate Hutcheson and Holly Burd on their effort to rewrite the Chicago charter in a citywide vote to change local government processes. The developer is seeking a rezoning for the two lots from 2-flat RT-4 zoning to RM-4.5 residential multiuse zoning. M15 Land Investments would raze the existing building at 1809 Augusta and build a new 3-story residential buildng with 6 units and 6 on-site parking spaces. Site Plan (Kutlesa Hernandez Architects) EVA Developer Questionnaire (M15 Land Investments) The 100-foot-deep lots on Augusta would allow only 4 dwelling units under the current zoning, and the upzone would permit the 6-flat. The height would stay consist...

Rezoning could limit 814-820 N. Damen Ave. to residential use. A proposal to rezone part of the 800 block of North Damen Avenue is on the agenda for the April membership meeting. Members can vote on the zoning recommendation or propose alternatives during the 7pm April 10 meeting at Roots Pizza West Town, 1924 N. Chicago Ave. Properties at 814 N. Damen, 818 N. Damen and 820 N. Damen would allow multiunit residential construction of up to 4 floors without storefronts. EVA board member Neal McKnight recommends the rezoning as consistent with surrounding uses. The first two buildings are residential; 820 N. Damen is the vacant Grace Auto Body location and a potential redevelopment site. If Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36th) adopts the proposed EVA recommendation, zoning would change to RM-5, a residerntial designation. The current B-3 zoning calls for first-floor business use, with residences permitted on upper floors. RM-5 would allow more residential units then the mixed-use designati...

Bird general manager Robbie Zettler and senior manager Kelley Foxx East Village Association membership meeting Sept. 9, 2019, Happy Village, 1059 N. Wolcott Ave. Presiding: Michael VanDam, president Bird picks up 250 of its scooters every night and redistributes them for the morning commute, general manager Robbie Zettler told EVA members Sept. 9. Yet with 10 companies in Chicago's June-to-October scooter trial, it's hard for any of them to commit more resources to clear scooter clutter. Chicago requires scooter vendors to respond to complaints within two hours, says government partnership manager Kelley Foxx. Bird aims for a 30 minute turnaround, Foxx says. Fielding questions on scooter safety, technology and future plans from the Happy Village patio, Foxx said he expects the city to winnow the field down to a more manageable three companies.

Marland Hobbs speaks to EVA members at Happy Village. East Village Association membership meeting July 9, 2018, Happy Village, 1059 N. Wolcott Ave. Presiding: Michael VanDam, president East Village Association members on July 9 backed landlord Marland Hobbs’ plan to convert retail space on Hermitage and add transit-oriented apartments. Welcome (Michael VanDam) Shakespeare in the Park preview (Elizabeth Nungaray) Presentation and vote on 1115 N. Hermitage (Marland Hobbs): The owner made a case to build apartments over a garage to "domesticate" the alley south of Division Street. Rezoning for 7 units still would not conform to the surrounding 3-flats. The Planning, Preservation and Development committee had recommended only to convert first-floor commercial space. Members voted 14-10 not to oppose Hobbs' request.

1115 N. Hermitage Ave. EVA members will vote July 9 on a zoning change for the building that houses the Tropikava Kafe juice bar. Rezoning would allow conversion to 7 apartments with limited parking. The owner of 1115 N. Hermitage Ave. plans to convert the 4-story building from a storefront and 3 apartments. Plans submitted for EVA review would renovate the storefront as a new apartment and build 3 apartments over the existing garage. The vote would advise Ald. Proco Joe Moreno on whether to support a zoning change in the City Council. The EVA meeting starts at 7pm in the Happy Village, 1059 N. Wolcott Ave. The meeting also features presentations from Delia Ramirez , Democratic candidate for 4th District state representative, and Elizabeth Nungaray of Chicago Shakespeare Theater.

Paul Nickerson of the Tree House Humane Society and Ald. Brian Hopkins prepare to address members at Happy Village. East Village Association membership meeting April 2, 2018 Happy Village, 1059 N. Wolcott Ave. Presiding: Michael VanDam, president Business Minute: Cats at Work Paul Nickerson of the Tree House Humane Society gave a presentation on the Cats at Work program. Nickerson shared personal anecdotes of his introduction to the program and how it addressed a severe rodent problem in his neighborhood. Feral cats are trapped, neutered and released in proper shelters where there is a rodent problem. Nickerson noted that feral cats are usually placed in groups of 2 or 3. The placement by Tree House comes with appropriate shelters that can be placed in garages, under porches or in unused gangways. Placement costs $725 for 3 cats and $650 for 2 cats. A cat eating a rat who has been poisoned is unlikely to suffer ill effects. More than 650 feral cat colonies and more than 3,500 ...

Work continues on an apartment conversion at 1038 N. Ashland Ave. West Town residents come here to learn about the East Village Association , read its Planning, Preservation & Development guidelines, check the Chicago crime map or renew their membership . In addition, EVA news posts throughout the year reflect community interest in development, public safety and other issues. Most-read posts of 2017 suggest what has attracted neighbors' interest. Here are the top posts with updates on where things stand: Restaurant plan shakes Damen neighbors: Plans for a burger bar at 820 N. Damen Ave., now an auto mechanic's garage, have not progressed since an August hearing. Ald. Brian Hopkins (2nd Ward) proposed and the City Council approved a moratorium on new tavern and packaged-goods licenses along Damen Avenue, from Chicago Avenue to Augusta Boulevard. Restaurants are not affected. The license freeze also covers Chicago Avenue from Leavitt Street to Damen.

Proposed replacement for a single-family home on Thomas would be higher than either of its neighbors, inviting future teardowns. By Michelle Hayward East Village Association board of directors meeting May 8, 2017 Bath House Cultural Center, 1019 N. Wolcott Ave. Michael VanDam called the meeting to order. Agenda: Presentation from 1538 W. Thomas (Planning, Preservation & Development) Other PPD Updates/Marq on Noble Inter-Group Candidate Forum (request from Lyn Wolfson at Chicago Grand Neighbors Association) June Membership Meeting -- ideas Safety/Security Update 1538 W. Thomas EVA board was visited by attorney Stephen Barrios, developer Walter/Vladimir Zeleni, property owner Ernesto Rubio and Victor Drapszo of Red Architects. Rubio is seeking to amend a zoning restriction for his property to be redeveloped in the middle of the block on Thomas. Rubio purchased the property in 1998 and currently resides there. The single-family property is between a three-story and a...

EVA members voted to support the Eckhart Park Community Council in its objections to rezoning for apartments at Noble and Walton. By Michelle Hayward East Village Association membership meeting May 1, 2017 Happy Village 1059 N. Wolcott Ave. President’s Welcome Michael VanDam call the May 1 meeting to order. Michael announced his objective to engage local businesses in EVA. To that end, Michael invited several local businesses to discuss their summer camp offerings with the membership. Business Minute: Summer Vacation Special Edition City Epicurean Cake Camp : City Epicurean is run by Naomi Levine. Located at Grand/Oakland they focus on cake decorating vs. cooking with the goal of fun and engaging kids' creativity. $135 for 5 days, 9a - 5p. The camp will run weekly sessions for 8 weeks. Discounts for the second sibling and third. Two age groups: 4-9 and 9-18. West Loop Soccer Club : West Loop Soccer club has opened a West Town location two weeks ago. They are off...

Parlor Pizza has its sidewalk cafe permit, even though it's missing one of its required tree pits. By Michelle Hayward East Village Association board of directors meeting April 10, 2017 Bath House Cultural Center 1019 N. Wolcott Ave. Planning, Preservation & Development Brian Foote reported on Marquette Development's neighborhood Q&A session April 10 for the Marq at Noble Square development, proposed at Walton and Noble streets: All 1 and 2 bedrooms 160 units, 120 parking spaces All rentals Commissioned traffic study—need to ensure that Milwaukee and Augusta are included in study City will review as a Planned Development Follow-ups: Neighborhood is connected to all 3 wards. Developer only in contact with Ald. Walter Burnett. EVA to follow up with Ald. Brian Hopkins and Proco Joe Moreno.

Jay Keller of Space Architects + Planners presents plans for 1038 N. Ashland Ave. East Village Association minutes for Jan. 9, 2017, by Stephen Rynkiewicz East Village Association members unanimously backed plans to convert offices to apartments at 1038 N. Ashland Ave. Honore Holdings founder Michael Schenouda plans to convert the MIS Computer Corp. office building to 18 apartments and a property management office. Architect Jay Keller of Space Architects + Planners says renovations will keep the red-brick exterior intact. Architectural renderings call for 2 studio, 12 1-bedroom and 4 2-bedroom apartments, ranging from 424 to 915 square feet. Large windows would be restored along Ashland Avenue, with additional windows replacing the spray-painted mural along Cortez Street.

EVA has championed redevelopment of St. Boniface Church since it closed in 1990. East Village is a magnet for young professionals and the developers who follows them. EVA's most popular posts of 2016 follow the progress of St. Boniface, Pure Dairy, Ace on Ashland and other developments. Neighbors fight new St. Boniface apartment plan March 31: Neighbors of St. Boniface organized to save St. Boniface Church at 1358 W. Chestnut St. A threat to raze the church drew new interest in preserving the site, an EVA goal since the church closed in 1990. Stas Development finally stalled demolition in a last-minute deal to buy the site. An open house this coming Tuesday will preview the construction timeline for condos and a music hall . Planning, Preservation & Development Ongoing: Expansion of Chicago's Transit Oriented Development rules, which waives parking space requirements near rail lines, drew contractors to EVA's development guidelines, which discourage one-off...

Monday's East Village Association meeting will include a presentation on proposed changes to the Starbucks coffee shop at 1701 W. Division to accommodate transit-oriented housing. EVA members will vote on whether to accede to zoning changes. The meeting starts at 7pm in the Happy Village, 1059 N. Wolcott Ave. Plans submitted to EVA show a new 5-story building with a roof deck. FitzGerald Associates Architects says the Starbucks will stay as-is but the current 6 units will be renovated. The new building will have eight 2- and 3-bedroom housing units over one floor of parking. EVA's vote would be a non-binding recommendation requested by Ald. Proco Joe Moreno. The project requires a zoning change to B3-3 from the current B3-2. Developers plan to use city Transit Oriented Development incentives that reduce parking requirements. Representing building owner John Kelly at the meeting will be Sara K. Barnes, a partner with the Samuel V.P. Banks law offices, along with the...

The construction fence shows a building design for the former Ace Hardware site. Developers of a condominium building will ask East Village Association members Monday to support a zoning change at the former Ace Hardware site, 1023 N. Ashland Ave. Owner Ross Babel plans a new four-story building with first-floor commercial-retail tenants and 33 condo units. The floor plan requires B2-3 zoning; the lot's now B1-2. Attorney Sara K. Barnes calls the upzone "more compatible" with buildings to the east and west. After reviewing early plans, members of EVA's development committee suggested adding 3-bedroom units for a more diverse mix. Here's how the units now stack up in size: 6 – 1 bedroom, 1.5 bath (720 square feet). 9 – 2 bedroom, 1 bath (850 square feet). 6 – 2 bedroom, 2 bath (920 square feet). 6 – 2 bedroom, 2 bath (950 square feet). 6 – 3 bedroom, 2 bath (1,280 square feet). The plan earmarks two 2-bedrooms units as affordable to median-income...

Ald. Brian Hopkins addresses members of the Commission on Chicago Landmarks. Plans to raze and rebuild the Leona's restaurant in East Village are moving to the City Council for approval. But Ald. Brian Hopkins says he'll work to preserve the building, a former dairy in the East Village landmark district . The Commission on Chicago Landmarks recommended the city approve demolition at 1938 W. Augusta Blvd. Hopkins told commissioners before the Nov. 5 vote that the community wanted to preserve the structure, a 1920s-style glazed-tile facade around an 1895 two-flat. "There's grandparents and great-grandparents that'll talk about ordering products from Pure Dairy," Hopkins said. "Many of them do believe the building as it stands today is a legitimate symbol of their success as a community." Hopkins could block demolition in the City Council, but Commissioner James Houlihan asked Hopkins not to defer the issue. He noted the commission would have to...

Plans to revive the Club Foot bar have fallen apart, but 1st Ward Ald. Proco Joe Moreno said he would support lifting a tavern license moratorium at the Augusta Boulevard site. "I am very seriously considering lifting all moratoriums in East Village because they are old ways of dealing with protections in our city," he told EVA members Sept. 14. Moreno also said he'd support a $500 million property tax increase to balance the Chicago budget. He noted that his proposal for a city tax on smokeless tobacco would need a new state law, and claimed that tax increment financing has been abused, although he'd keep the 1st Ward's TIF district. Ed Marszewski, Club Foot's prospective new owner, did not attend the meeting. But Moreno said Marszewski couldn't get a lease at 1824 W. Augusta Blvd.

The former Club Foot space, 1824 W. Augusta Blvd. East Village Association board minutes for June 8, 2015, submitted by Michael VanDam Ashland Avenue Development The proposal for a transit-oriented development at 1062 N. Ashland Ave. does not seem to be moving forward. Club Foot proposal An inquiry was received regarding the former Club Foot space, 1824 W. Augusta Blvd. Given the residential setting, EVA does not support commercial development at that location, consistent with longstanding guidelines regarding appropriate zoning. Instead, we would prefer to work with the developer to identify a more appropriate space. The inquiry raised the possibility of adding guidelines for developers thinking about locating in the neighborhood to facilitate more productive discussions on proposed new developments. Bus Rapid Transit A representative from the Active Transportation Alliance has asked to “take the temperature” of the group regarding the proposed Bus Rapid Transit (...

Ashland Church of God, 1062 N. Ashland East Village Association board minutes for May 11, 2015, submitted by Michael VanDam Planning, Preservation & Development 1062 N. Ashland: PP&D heard prospective owner Mark Sutherland 's proposal for new apartment construction around the Ashland Church of God's existing façade. Such a plan would require the city to change its zoning map, expand its new transit-oriented development zones and further loosen parking requirements. The PP&D committee and board felt the proposal was too preliminary to weigh in. Concerns revolved around added height and lack of interior preservation. 1838 W. Chicago (Fifield Cos. development): Fifield has obtained building permits and has begun marketing the development as Luxe on Chicago. Construction should start soon. Upcoming General Meetings A representative from the city forestry service is scheduled as speaker for EVA's June 1 meeting. A representative from the Active Transp...

St. Boniface Church and the John Hancock Center mark the Chestnut Street skyline west of Eckhart Park. East Village Association board minutes for March 9, 2015 submitted by Michael VanDam New board, committee appointments President Dan Johnson Vice President Catherine Garypie Secretary Michael VanDam Treasurer Kok Keng (KK) Goh Planning, Preservation & Development Brian Foote Website & Newsletter Stephen Rynkiewicz Gladys Alcazar-Anselmo Neal McKnight Greg Nagel Tom Tomek Bob Zwolinski 2nd Ward Aldermanic Debate East Village Association will co-sponsor a March 24 debate at Columbus Elementary School, 1003 N. Leavitt. The format will offer more leeway with questions and responses, because only the two runoff candidates will be participating. Board members discussed ways EVA could help increase voter turnout. Social Media Board members explored creating an East Village Facebook group in addition to the EVA Facebook page . While it lack...

A page lists building permits issued in and near East Village. East Village Association board minutes for Aug. 11, 2014, submitted by Catherine Garypie CONSTRUCTION DATABASE Property purchases, architect discussions, permit applications: All happen very fast ... faster than neighborhood associations can keep up. Steven Vance, a programmer and Streetsblog Chicago blogger, developed a database of construction activity at licensedchicagocontractors.com . Vance gave a presentation with Daniel Ronan, program coordinator at the National Public Housing Museum , and Ryan Lakes, an architect at Solomon Cordwell Buenz . The database includes building violations and permits. The idea is to give more power to residents. The site's adding Special Service Area boundaries, and may track Tax Increment Financing dollars spent. EVA boundaries have been added to the database. A subscription service provides weekly e-mails and allows tracking of an individual company (developer, owner, expedite...