Dear Neighbors,
As you are aware, the Broadway Youth Center's Zoning Board of Appeals hearing will be held tomorrow, January 17th in City Council Chambers (121 N. LaSalle, 2nd floor). It is the third agenda item on the 9:00 am docket. After much contemplation to the extensive feedback I have received from the community, both in support and opposed to the Broadway Youth Center's special use permit at the Wellington Avenue United Church of Christ (615 W. Wellington), I will only be able to support the special use permit, if and only if, ALL of the following conditions are met:
- A 365-day restriction to the special use which would expire after one year of the ZBA resolution. This would allow for a one year trial period. After one year, the Broadway Youth Center's special use permit would expire. If they want to reapply for the special use permit, they would need to begin the process by January 2015.
- The Good Neighbor Agreement (click here to view it and Exhibit A & A2, Exhibit B, Exhibit C) includes hours of operation, services, capacity, security measures and dispute resolution will be submitted as part of the record and a condition of the use.
- The special use would be non-transferable to any other entity if the Broadway Youth Center vacates Wellington Avenue United Church of Christ.
I believe that these conditions give the community needed protections, while allowing the Broadway Youth Center to continue their important work in Lakeview. However, without meeting all three of these conditions, I will not be able to support the Broadway Youth Center in this request.
Thank you for all your time and input during this sensitive issue. I believe that this is a fair compromise and will allow all of us to move forward in a productive way.
Sincerely,
Alderman Tom Tunney |