The Jefferson
Park Free Press
visit our website at: jeffersonparkfreepress.com
email us at: admin@jeffersonparkfreepress.com
May 31, 2005
Volume II News and Commentary Issue IV
by Robert Bank News and Commentary
Liar’s Club?
At the Department of
Zoning’s recent public meeting on April 5, 2005, at the Copernicus Center, 5216
W. Lawrence Avenue, longtime Jefferson Park resident Mrs. Hantel asked why the
City isn’t listening to the strong objections of neighboring homeowners who
don’t want Demetrios “Jimmy” Kozonis’ proposed 7-story 132 condo building
planned to be built across the alley from their single family homes? The City’s
Department of Planning and Development’s (DPD) Denise Roman once again had the gall to answer “there is no plan”.Ms. Roman’s nose
must grow longer each time she utters that phrase, for on March 9, 2004, I
along with several residents witnessed
Ms. Roman testify at City Hall in favor of Mr. Kozonis’ 7-story 132 condo plan!
There was even testimony regarding cost per square foot along with an
artist’s rendition of the twin 7-story condos! This isn’t the first time that
City officials have lied to the public by stating “there is no plan”. During Mayor Daley’s October 2002 budget
hearing Ms Roman’s DPD superiors, Rosie Andolino and Brenda McKenzie also made
the same statement when a request was made to “vet” ( background check) the developer before the City starts
assembling parcels of land and taxpayer money to give to developer Jimmy
Kozonis. What’s really amazing is that these “there is no plan” statements
directly contradict earlier testimony given by then DPD Commissioner Alicia
Mazur-Berg who on January 23, 2002,
stated that “this project has been proposed for quite some time now.” Also
getting into the act is Alderman Levar, who
as late as Sunday, October 24, 2004 distributed
flyers stating that “No formal plan has
been submitted and no plan is pending approval” Then why did Alderman Levar’s aide Terry Boyke
testify for the 7-story plan, six month’s earlier at the March 9, 2004
Community Development Committee (CDC) hearing at City Hall, “I know Mr. Kozonis personally
and look forward to working with his team to get this thing going” ?
CHRONOLOGY OF QUOTES
01-22-2002 “this project has been proposed for quite some time now”’ DPD
Commissioner Alicia Mazur-Berg
10- -2002 “There is no plan” DPD
Rosie Andolino and DPD Brenda McKenzie
03-9-2004 “I know Mr. Kozonis personally and look forward to working with him and
his team to get this thing going”Alderman Levar’s aide Terry Boyke
03-9-2004 testifies for the 7-story condo project DPD’s Denise Roman
10-24-2004 “No formal plan has been
submitted and no plan is pending approval” Ald. Levar’s letter
04-5-2005
“there is no plan” DPD’s Denise Roman
Yes, It Is an Issue!
Tuesday, June 7th
2005, 6:00 pm at the Jefferson Park Library, 5363 W. Lawrence, at the 45th Ward Republican Party’s June
monthly meeting, besides having
guest speaker DuPage County State’s Attorney Joe Birkett, the GOP will also discuss the subject of the City’s
action to use “eminent domain” against
the Sportif Importers Bike Store at 5225 W. Lawrence Avenue. The City wants to
a take Mr. Zordani’s bike store and Walter Oglaza’s vacant land where Mr.
Oglaza had his own plan to build a
2-story medical center, and give it to favored developer and Alderman Levar
campaign contributor Jimmy Kozonis, who wants to build a 7-story, 132 unit
condo on the bike shop property and adjacent parcels. In addition to several
strip malls up and down Milwaukee Avenue, Mr. Kozonis also owns Veteran’s
Square, the old Woolworth/ Footlocker store, Cowhey Materials yard, the lots on
either side of the Sportif Bike store (one of the lots is where the Comcast
trucks are parked), the land the CVS drug store sits on, the parking lot at
Lipps and Lawrence Avenues (where a former 2-story gothic revival terra cotta
bldg.once stood) to name a few.
Subliminal Movie Review: The 1999 James Bond
thriller, The World Is Not Enough
Parallel Universes
39th Ward 45th
Ward
New street lights along
Lawrence Avenue . Rusty 1960’s street lights.
38th Ward 45th
Ward
Beautifully restored and
landscaped Portage Park. Run down Jefferson Park. last
landscaped??? Wilson Park isn’t much better.
38th Ward 45th
Ward
Cross-walks near schools
painted bright yellow-green. Poorly marked or worn-out
crosswalks.
41st Ward 45th
Ward
Zoning Advisory Council
holds announced public meetings No Zoning Advisory Council, lack of notice.
regarding zoning changes,
where all are welcome to attend. Notice usually given only
to those that live
Within 250 feet of subject property.
VIEW THE NEW
ZONING ORDINANCE GO TO: http://www.cityofchicago.org/zoning
VIEW WHEN THE ZONING COMMITTEE WILL MEET: http://www.chicityclerk.com/citycouncil/calendar.html
(you still must call the Zoning Committee chair Ald.
Banks’ office at (312) 744-6857 to find out what is on the agenda until a week
before the meeting when it is available online)
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