From Alderman Cappleman’s Newsletter:
FOLLOW UP WITH 800 W. BUENA: ZONING VARIANCE REQUEST
At the request of Buena Park Neighbors, Ald. Cappleman held a series of community meetings to discuss a special use zoning variance for the Center for Economic Research & Social Change (with Haymarket Books) which would allow a community center within the building located at 800 W. Buena).This location currently has a special use variance for a community center, but a new one is required for a new organization.
The residents within 250′ of this proposal voted 50 in favor and 30 not in favor for this special use variance, and the results of this vote were affirmed by an overwhelming support of residents outside the 250′ range. Ald. Cappleman supports this decision because the concerns of the neighbors regarding parking and congestion issues were adequately addressed by having parking available at both Brennemann and Disney Schools and the limited number of evening events they normally host.
This special use also helps to protect the historic nature of this home. While many viewed the politics of this organization as controversial, their community meetings would meet the very same criteria that any Chicago public library uses for allowing such events.
In addition, the value of diversity that so many residents desire is reinforced when differing political beliefs are tolerated and respected. Ald. Cappleman will work with this organization and the local neighbors to create a Good Neighbor Agreement so that the organization’s events do not put an undue hardship on the surrounding residents.
