tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-906854738305262612.post8132598767915410258..comments2024-01-16T13:45:18.658-06:00Comments on The North Coast: The Tyranny of the CommunityThe North Coasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14292115710427172625noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-906854738305262612.post-25989754620218470082007-01-14T17:03:00.000-06:002007-01-14T17:03:00.000-06:00Hugh, I was discusssing this man and his problems ...Hugh, I was discusssing this man and his problems with a friend, and I am shortly going to seek him out and see how he is doing, hopefully tomorrow.The North Coasthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14292115710427172625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-906854738305262612.post-63820773455771851082007-01-14T13:47:00.000-06:002007-01-14T13:47:00.000-06:00> Another example is a 3-flat on Sheridan owned by...> Another example is a 3-flat on Sheridan owned by a friend of mine, who was stopped mid-project and thereby damaged financially beyond repair, by our alderman.<br /><br />I'd like to learn more about this if you have time to type something up. Thanks.Hughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15522429207805068382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-906854738305262612.post-48574851946963977322007-01-13T18:45:00.000-06:002007-01-13T18:45:00.000-06:00Dear Hugh,
Thanks for commenting.
I hope my post...Dear Hugh,<br /><br />Thanks for commenting.<br /><br />I hope my post is not construed to mean that I don't believe in community involvement, because I surely do.<br /><br />I completely agree with you that when the developer is asking for a concession, such as a zoning variance, that the community has a right to imput into the process. <br /><br />I also believe that the community has a right to enforce aesthetic standards, to dictate or prohibit certain destructive uses, and to move to restrict a developer or business owner who has a particularly bad track record.<br /><br />However, with the exception of zoning variances, and particularly troublesome owners, we have a structure of zoning laws governing use, scale, density, and building type. These laws express the will of the community. <br /><br />My problem is when the community, as represented by the alderman, has the ability to completely shut down a particular business or development because a few individuals, generally the alderman, but sometimes more vocal and powerful community groups, are able to nix a project that is perfectly in keeping with the zoning and land use rules, and is nothing that we really have a right to object to. <br /><br />The Island Groove jazz club is an example. Another example is a 3-flat on Sheridan owned by a friend of mine, who was stopped mid-project and thereby damaged financially beyond repair, by our alderman. <br /><br />Another example could be a development that in every way is a good project, but is being done by someone who we find objectional because he is a contributor to our alderman. <br /><br />I believe that many community groups work against projects that are net harmless simply because we are so powerless to avert really harmful uses and businesses, such as the package liquor stores approved on Clark St. with little or no community imput.The North Coasthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14292115710427172625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-906854738305262612.post-72341505420386442802007-01-13T16:13:00.000-06:002007-01-13T16:13:00.000-06:00Hi Laura,
Thanks for a thoughtful and articulate ...Hi Laura,<br /><br />Thanks for a thoughtful and articulate post.<br /><br />I agree with almost all of what you wrote, but i would like to opine that the situation you mention - where a developer is within their legal rights and the community inserts itself - is relatively rare. Most of the time a developer is asking for some kind of concession from the community, a relaxation of requirements or a zoning change even. I would assess that overall projects benefit from community involvement and more problems come when something is snuck by.Hughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15522429207805068382noreply@blogger.com