Developers who go through the Office of Alderman Tom Tunney (44th Ward) will have to sign a “developer checklist” that asks them to think of the neighbors around construction projects.
The Community Directed Development Council (CDDC) created the checklist last month and so far one developer has signed it, says Alicia Obando, chief of staff for Tunney’s office.
“I frequently get phone calls about construction projects next door or across the street either starting too early, making a mess or blocking an alley,” Obando says. “This is kind of a goodwill contract with the community that says they will try to adhere to these suggestions.”
Some items on the checklist:
- Construction noise will not start before 8 a.m. or go later than 8 p.m. Starting a little later on weekend mornings would be appreciated.
- Construction vehicles, deliveries or dumpsters shall not be in use outside of the hours of 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- All construction vehicles shall obey city parking regulations.
- The site will be secured with the proper fencing around the entire site at the end of every day.
This sounds like a sensible solution to the noise problems that most of us experience during construction projects nearby. Hope it catches on.
Why is every property owner who makes improvements derisively labeled a ‘developer’. This checklist insinuates that those nasty ‘developers’ have to be constantly reminded to obey the law.
I think the time is right for a property owner’s bill of rights. Let’s remind neighbors that they’re not paying the mortgage and taxes on others property and that zoning and building codes are not subject to their whims.
I live on a street where there are currently 7 different teardowns. I literally have to call 311 every week to get the each developer to abide by these and similar rules. They all know about them…How will this be enforced?
I think builders would jump at the chance to provide an absolute guarantee that they will obey all noise ordinances in exchange for an end to some of the inapropriate, heavy-handed practices of the building department.
The city should end the practice of requiring property owners to identify each and every subcontractor at the time of permit application. This can be done at the start of constrution.
The practice of inspectors issuing stop work orders due to minor, insignificant field revisions should end. Property owners should be allowed to just submit paper work for revision approvals without stopping work and without starting over with a brand new permit application.
Inspectors should not be allowed to vanadalize private property with their giant orange stickers.
Permit applicants should be allowed to make an appointment to see a zoning examiner instead of being insulted with the old musical chairs system.
Each and every inspector or plans examiner that makes a comment or ruling should have to sign the paperwork and print legibly their full name. Inspectors and examiners who make errors should be forced to acquire re-training on their own time.
etc., etc.
The checklist items cited in the post above are all requirements of, or variations on, existing ordinances.
I’m all for a property owner bill of rights. Let’s start with the right to not have your property trashed due to neighboring construction. I saw this all the time when I lived in Lake View, I’m hoping a slew of less crooked aldermen mean it’s less of a problem these days.
good article:
http://www.suntimes.com/news/neighborhoods/457699,CST-NWS-Construction06.article
Couple’s once-quiet neighborhood became a nonstop construction zone
GENTRIFICATION 101 | The building of cinder block mansions rocked their foundation, literally