Weekend rant: Lake View zoning insanity

Lake View East Chamber of Commerce, Chicago IL

I don’t think one can find a better argument for stripping aldermen of their de facto veto power over developments in their ward than Ald. Tom Tunney’s proposal to downzone the property at 2840 N Broadway that was reportedly being considered by Wal-Mart.

Let’s leave aside the question of whether this is anything more than a bald move to protect a group of East Lakeview merchants who’ve managed, against all odds in a dense, affluent community, to create and maintain a third-rate retail environment along Clark and Broadway.

Let’s leave aside also the frightening message this sends to businesses considering Chicago as a venue.

Focus on the location of this property, and the interests of the broader community of businesses and residents immediately across Diversey in Lincoln Park that would benefit from Wal-Mart’s presence. Under the current system, an Alderman they have no say in electing can arbitrarily change zoning rules in a way that costs them.

Will we ever see an end to the corrupt madness of aldermanic prerogative?

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