East Village Association board minutes for Dec. 12, 2016, by Daniel Navarro January meeting Date moving to 9th from the 2nd; board meeting to move to the subsequent Monday. Red Apple Ald. Hopkins to deny liquor license but will not stop applicant from going forward with for applying or putting up a business. PP&D update 1038 N. Ashland: Owner is selling to a management company. Will develop upper 2 floors to residential, will need a zoning change. 18 units over 2.5 floors. Type 1 zoning change. Looking to add residential to first floor. Will make a formal presentation to EVA on Jan 9. 920 N. Paulina: Residential building midblock, all area is R2-4. Would like to add a garden rental in basement, is requesting upzone for that one parcel. They will come on the 16th to the next board meeting.

East Village Association minutes for Dec. 5, 2016, by Daniel Navarro 1701 W. Division presentation and vote Brian: Have met with owners and wanted to bring it to the general meeting. Proposed development to add on to rear of building . Seeking a zone change and asking for us to approve. Developers: Existing building currently zoned B3-2 seeking to up zone to a B3-3. Fully renovate existing apartment units and add a 1-story-taller building behind it and a parking base. Respecting the neighborhood by using existing structure and materials. This will be high end. Existing is a mix of 3 the new will be 2, elevator access to all floors. Parking will have bike storage and trash alcove.

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...

A drawing in the WPB master plan envisions a wider Milwaukee Avenue sidewalk. An updated Wicker Park master plan calls for sidewalk cafes to "reclaim space for bikers and pedestrians" at the Polish Triangle. In a 163-page document unveiled in November, the Wicker Park Bucktown retail-service district SSA 33 proposes "shared street" strategies to increase foot traffic at the Division, Ashland and Milwaukee intersection. Its wish list includes ideas aired in a May community workshop, including widening the Milwaukee Avenue sidewalk and converting parking spaces to "parklets" for community use. The report says wider sidewalks "would have a big impact on the potential for streetlife and commercial vitality" and make for shorter street crossings at Division and Ashland. The report does not say how to widen the sidewalk, but a sketch in the report suggests that parking would be eliminated.

Tenants parking would be reduced for more apartments at 1701 W. Division St. East Village Association board minutes for Nov. 14, 2016, by Daniel Navarro West Town Bakery is now closing some days at 7pm for winter hours, so board meetings need new location. Planning, Preservation & Development 855 N. Wolcott: Demolition permit, sold last month as a teardown. The caveat is that the neighbor's fire escape prevents a "regular" build, would have to work around the landing. Has to go through the landmark commission, will ask the developer to submit plans to EVA first. 1038 N. Ashland: In meeting at the Winchester, owner was trying to sell the building; seems to think incorrectly that developers believe EVA would be opposed to any development. Looking for a zoning change from a B1-2 to a B1-3. 1701 W. Division: Date not yet set for presentation to members on expansion of Starbucks building. Still waiting for drawings. Initially seemed OK, but parking and access are ...

Red Apple Convenience, 2000 W. Chicago Ave, was denied a liquor license in 2012. East Village Association minutes for Nov. 7, 2016, by Daniel Navarro Red Apple The Red Apple convenience store at Damen and Chicago avenues fought for a liquor license three years ago. Owner was denied in appellate court, reapplied 2 months ago with new liquor commissioner under new alderman in 2nd Ward. Owner came to Ukrainian Village Neighborhood Association with new business idea named Olive Branch, an upscale store with gourmet sandwiches and paninis. No plan on reopening settled issue but if the proposal changes will bring it to general membership. Suzi Wahl has a packet with testimony and business violations of the owners, dropped off all 177 letters in protest from previous attempt to Ald. Brian Hopkins: "Every single person at community meeting was against it but Hopkins still has not came out against." If you want more information contact Suzi Wahl. She's unsure how vacant store ...