January 6, 2022

The Ranch Triangle Community Conservation Association advocates for and on behalf of its residents to improve and sustain a high quality of city life. Ranch Triangle seeks to fulfill its mission by supporting responsible development, fostering a thoughtful discussion and resolution of community issues, as well as involvement in charitable and community-building activities.

Ranch Triangle’s policies include:

• Preserve and promote the historic character of the Ranch Triangle area as well as the broader Lincoln Park community
• Promote and encourage small businesses along the Armitage, Halsted and Clybourn shopping areas
• Support our schools and improve the public education in the area
• Support Ranch Triangle’s existing playground parks and advocate for new parks in the neighborhood
• Work to improve the public infrastructure including streets, sidewalks, lighting

Ranch Triangle’s goals include:

• Develop a dog park in Ranch Triangle
• Clean up and/or eliminate the unsafe and unsightly abandoned construction lots on Willow and Bissell
• Develop a park along the Chicago River on the old General Iron site
• Monitor and closely review all development on Lincoln Yards to reduce density and congestion
• Host special events to bring together our neighbors and the residents of Chicago

The Old Town Triangle Association was formed in 1952 to improve the public areas and become a community resource. Unlike others, our early adopters included many artists and there was a clear focus on arts and culture. That focus led the OTTA to maintain a physical space for art classes and gallery space. First renting on Wells Street, then purchasing the first floor of a building from the Midwest Buddhist Temple.

As urban renewal took hold, the OTTA took on the challenge of obtaining Landmark designation for the majority of buildings located within its boundaries. OTTA members took on the task of the research and documentation. Their efforts were successful effort. Due largely to those early members, The Triangle maintains its unique and picturesque character.

The OTTA still focuses on public spaces, the Old Town Art Fair, arts & culture, historic preservation, and creating a safe and welcoming feel for its residents. Looking ahead, the OTTA recently took on a few new activities. An Accessibility Committee was created to determine how we present ourselves to the physically challenged and make changes where necessary.

We continue to develop new programs to respond to the needs of all our residents. We are a diverse and vibrant community with the efforts of many wonderful neighbors and volunteers.

Gold Coast Neighbors Association is a community organization that improves the

quality of life of its members and its neighborhood by:

• Advocating with elected officials, developers, and business owners on issues significant to the Gold Coast community, such as zoning and the opening of cannabis dispensaries.
• Increasing safety for our residents, businesses, and property through our Safety Patrol, our involvement with CAPS, and our strong relationship with the CPD’s 18th District, which includes quarterly “Walk and Talks” to determine safety issues.
• Examining zoning issues, including all changes of zoning and building permit applications in the Gold Coast, and coordinating community meetings for project development with the 2 nd , 42 nd , and 43 rd Ward aldermen; GCNA also cosponsors community meetings on proposed changes to properties, including one regarding the former Barnes & Noble property.
• Promoting historical preservation by creating programs about historically significant people and places in our community, including a presentation that featured the stories behind The Three Arts Club, Playboy Mansion, Racquet Club, and Patterson-McCormick Mansion.
• Fostering friendship among our members through events such as Membership Meetings, Fall Frolic, GCNA Members’ Socials, Toast to the Coast, and Evening on Astor.
• Beautifying our neighborhood through our GCNA Team that handled cleanup and mulching efforts at Lincoln Park

Park West Community Association (PWCA), your voice in the community, is a volunteer organization that connects and advocates for neighbors in the Park West area of Lincoln Park. Our boundaries are Halsted to the Lake and Fullerton to Diversey. We promote local businesses and culture, such as along the Clark St. corridor. PWCA advances neighbors' perspectives for physical improvements, responsible development in zoning matters, and preserving historic beauty and quality of life in our community. We also promote social welfare and education, improve parks, playgrounds, parkways, and neighborhood environment/aesthetics.

Our 2022-2023 focus is safety in the neighborhood. We work with Chicago Police and City officials to elevate your concerns and get information to residents to keep everyone informed and safe, we would love to meet you and have your voice be part of discussions in the neighborhood.

Please join our Facebook group here to get our invites for fun upcoming social events, volunteer opportunities, and other ways to meet other people who live, work, and enjoy our neighborhood.

Lincoln Central Association’s (LCA) mission is to inspire people to join together for the social, cultural, and physical enrichment of our neighborhood. LCA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit neighborhood organization run by an all-volunteer board of directors.

Our board and volunteers actively represent our neighborhood on a variety of matters, including ensuring open and fair zoning for developers and homeowners; promoting public safety; supporting the economic revitalization of neighborhood businesses; maintaining and beautifying our parks, including Fire Station Park & Gardens; and keeping the neighborhood informed through our From the Heart monthly newsletter. We also host family-friendly events to bring the neighborhood together like Howler at Bauler at Bauler Park each October and our Evening in the Garden at Fire Station Park. Learn more and become a member at LincolnCentral.org.

The Wrightwood Neighbors Association (WNA) is a community group of neighbors and businesses working together since 1962 with a goal of preserving and improving the character of the Wrightwood Neighbors neighborhood.

WNA brings residents and businesses together to work with our 43rd & 32nd ward Aldermen, 19th District Police, Engine 55 Fire Station, City of Chicago agencies, and our other elected officials to help provide the best services possible. Through events such as the Taste of Lincoln Avenue, Lincoln Park Wine Festival, and the newly established Jonquil Park Family Fun Festival, WNA has diligently raised funds to support our local educational, cultural, public safety, and philanthropic institutions.

Sheffield Neighborhood Association (SNA) has been the voice of the Sheffield community since 1959. Beginning as an associate member of the Lincoln Park Conservation Association years earlier, SNA’s focus from the beginning was on urban renewal.

Along the way, neighbors discovered their passion for gardening, realizing it played a critical role in developing a welcoming community for Chicagoland residents. In 1969 the Sheffield Garden Walk was born and within a few years Sheffield became “The Garden District of Chicago” and our streets were filled with visitors enjoying the beautifully resident-maintained front and back gardens along all of our streets. The rejuvenation of our community was well on its way!

While the goals and projects of the association have altered slightly, we remained focused on our original calling… to “improve conditions of life, work, recreation, health and safety” in Sheffield Neighbors. Today, SNA focuses on:

• Public safety
• Gatherings – Movie at Trebes, Concerts at Trebes, Earth Day Clean-up, etc
• Addressing zoning and planning within our boundaries
• Supporting our public and private schools
• Beautification of parks and streets

SNA is your community voice. We are always looking for new neighbors to help us continually improve our neighborhood. For more information on how you can lend your talents to your community, please email info@sheffieldneighborhood.org.

Mid-North Association’s mission is to protect and preserve the historic character and charm of our architecturally significant community. Mid-North Association educates residents about local and city-wide issues, fosters strong citizenship, and creates a sense of community within our city. For more than 60 years, Mid-North Association has been in the forefront of Chicago community organizations in working to preserve our historic neighborhood as a significant part of the neighborhood is landmarked as the Mid-North District, designated a Chicago Landmark in 1977. We review all proposed building projects and renovations to ensure compatibility with our landmark guidelines working closely with the Alderman and the Department of Landmarks. We raise money to advocate for the preservation of architectural landmarks, historic buildings and green spaces that make our community so unique and we plan community social events to foster a sense of community and camaraderie. We invite residents, area businesses and institutions to join us as we work together to promote the wonderful spirit that is Mid-North. To learn more about our organization, find out about upcoming meetings, pay membership dues, have your voice be heard and get updates on issues important to you, send an email to MidNorthAssn@gmail.com or visit our

website midnorthassociation.org.

The property at 2573-2581 North Lincoln Avenue has filed an application for a zoning map amendment to change the underlying zoning of the parcel from B3-3 (Neighborhood Shopping District) to C2-3 (Motor Vehicle-Related Commercial District). A change in the underlying zoning would allow the applicant to subsequently apply for a Special Use Permit (which is reviewed by the Zoning Board of Appeals) in order to establish a cannabis business, specifically a new cannabis dispensary use within the existing one-story vacant commercial building.

Our office cohosted a community meeting regarding this proposal on November 1, 2022, with the Wrightwood Neighbors Association. Both Wrightwood Neighbors and our office have solicited public feedback for over two months and engaged in a robust community process with the applicant and neighbors. The applicant's initial proposal shared at the November 1st meeting is here.

At the upcoming January 17 Committee on Zoning meeting, the applicant will share their proposal, and the Committee will determine the validity of the zoning change. After meetings with neighbors, and developers, the Wrightwood Neighbors Association and my office have decided to take a neutral stance on the proposal. This is due to our shared commitment to allowing neighbors to continue to have their voices heard throughout this process. I am committed to continuing my community-driven and oriented approach to development as your alderman. 

Over the past few years, The Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce has committed to nearby landscape and infrastructure improvements under the adjacent "L tracks, and the applicant has expressed a desire to partner in these area improvements. My office has also committed funds towards this neighborhood benefit spearheaded by the local Chamber.

If you wish to share your opinion directly with the Committee on Zoning, written public comment on the proposal will be accepted via email to Nicole.Wellhausen@CityofChicago.org and at Raymond.Valadez@cityofchicago.org  until

10:00 AM on January 13, 2023. Those who wish to provide in-person testimony, you may do so at City Council Chambers, City Hall (121 N LaSalle Street) at 10:00 am on January 17, 2023.

If the zoning change is approved by the Committee on Zoning, the applicant will then have to undergo a separate community process before the Zoning Board of Appeals. This is to acquire a Special Use permit that is necessary to operate a cannabis dispensary. This can take anywhere from 90-180 days. This would also require a subsequent community meeting before the Zoning Board of Appeals would review the permit application. We will keep you updated in the newsletter on any developments in this process.