legal non-conforming/grandfathering/zoning

hmmm - I'm contemplating. So many thoughts and ideas. It is a conundrum...

I started this because while I am, an"outsider," I do believe it is a discussion that must be, and one that, regardless of the outcome of my situation, must continue. At least in my opinion.

I know there are neighboring towns and villages that are also going through downzoning, and I believe they are considering a different approach to legal nonconforming buildings.

Here's my irony, I have full replacement value through my insurance, full coverage regarding the main building - both cases are seperate, the main building and the coach house - thus the two seperate discussions.

I owned my building for less than two years before the fire. I likely should have been a more savy buyer, but, I wasn't. When I put the offer in on the building I was with friends from LA who are VERY savy buyers - they have their opinions about what I should do with the building. Many people tell me not to be so emotionally attached. My family wants me back. Life has been all about the building since Nov.

My son has openly declared no real estate for him and wants to move out of the country anyway at this point. He likes the sense of history that can be found elsewhere.

I would love to know the full history of coach houses like mine (in the traditional sense) - which is not a traditional coach house, no coaches ever parked there. It has a full basement. Hard to park a car or a coach in a basement.

I have a copy of a Sanborn Map that shows 417 from 1930 - the coach house as it stands now is fully depicted, the two flat as well, there was even a small garage between the coach house and the main building.

Architecturally it is a classic two flat from 1919, the coach house was also likely built then or earlier.

Sorry, will spell check later. I need to come up with a bit more humerous response. I'll probably stick that in the poetry slam section - have the flu.

I still need to find out the true dates for construction - I don't know if I need the true dates for construction for the appeal - I think that is a seperate issue - not sure - not sure of anything right now.

I am considering a photo-ducumentary project on the dissappearing coach houses. I've already begun the research. I see all of the older people in the village walking around. I see the gentleman who is a crossing guard on Circle and Madison and suspect he has many fantastic stories.

When I can't photo/document Tennessee, maybe people will let me document Forest Park - even if I no longer have a building in the end... We shall see.

If you all run across my tenant, please buy him a beer, I suspect he is going to be going through another morning process - we all have this past few months.

Anyway, scattered thoughts.

Edited by conundrum - 07/April/2007 at 3:17pm

“It would be so nice if something made sense for a change.”
Alice, “Alice in Wonderland,” Lewis Carroll, 1865

so who makes these people the gatekeepers of behavior? what we should and should not do.
at this point in time all the rumblings and grumblings we can heap upon those who serve as guardians of the public space and conversation is to the good.
rock the boat.

If Hosty votes to demolish the coach house or 2 flat, I believe someone ought to nail him for living in a non-residential building.  If he's going to be pointing fingers, he needs to comply himself.  Make him tear out his bathroom and whatever other changes he did to an office space (Kitchen?) to make it into an apartment.

I'm sorry - BUT THIS IS SOOO STRESSFUL - and I tempered my language for you all.

I have to go to my 4 hour class and sit still when all I want to do is crawl out of my skin and work on my building issues.

Possibly I will be put out of my misery tomorrow night.

Imagine it - 417 Circle possibly gone. I suffer the agony of photographers whose efforts to capture time can be futile - and I prefer architectural photography to almost anything else - ok - I also prefer to photograph people who have lived a lifetime... 80-100 year olds, they have a lifetime of stories written on their faces.

As I started to say, I suffer the agony of a photographer trying to capture time that can be so easily lost - I can imagine 417 Circle gone.

Everyone enjoy their day - I'm trying to put my agony in it's place.

Maybe after Tuesday I can go and see my grandmother finally. Start the documentary project of her 100th year, instead of her 99th.

Sorry, you all get my emotional outburst today - emotions have no place before the ZBA.

i think you'll do fine. the zba will be technical/political blahblah, but they only make recommendations. after the election, the vc will decide, and as the mayor said 'this is what variances are for.'

With the way the village has approached the situation at 417 it makes me wonder more and more about all the condo conversions that are within this r-1 district.  What happens if a building sustains damage?  The whole building is razed and a single-family home is put up?  The one that just recently occurred at the corner of Adams and Beloit is one that comes to mind.  Or the condos at Thomas near Harrison (from the map they are r-1 as well).  This whole thing just isn't right.

[I'm told the ZBA meeting is actually tomorrow, so I'll re-post in 24 hours if I don't know the answer]

Edited by KPO'M - 09/April/2007 at 10:16pm

Try to get them to explain why they want to destroy a building which has been no trouble for 77 years.

You are not going to change the outside of the property, just repair the inside. The street scape wont change.

You are an owner who is responsible, repairing and improving a fire damaged property, not leaving it there and trying to get insurance money as a scam.

It is a "taking" without compensation. The VC is on thin ice, regardless of what Sturino might think. Sets a bad precedent. Many other properties and future sales, values, and tax revenues are at risk from arbitrary zoning changes and rules.

Should have been grandfathered. If they want to attack density "issue" (which is not an issue), look toward regulating new development, not things which have been part of the village for decades.

Good luck.

videoguy wrote: If they want to attack density "issue" (which is not an issue), look toward regulating new development, not things which have been part of the village for decades. Good luck.

Dare I ask how things went?  Did common sense prevail?

Technicality, huh?  So it sounds like good news for Amy Perry, but not necessarily good news for common sense (what if they could have proven "vacancy")?  That said, they could have been looking for an excuse to approve it.  Let's see what the VC does.  Anyway, the code still needs to be fixed.

now hold on. it will take me about 1/2 hour of writing to re-cap the whole mtg. few things: 1) this case is not going to the vc. curry stated at end of hearing that because village recommendation was rejected, it would not go to vc. i never heard that before. someone asked for clarification on this, but got lost in shuffle. the coach house is saved! 2) the zba moved for continuation of the 2 flat issue until may. they gave no reasons. but it was about 9:45pm 3) the really big issues leaked out a bit, but were not pertinent to the coach house issue. btw, plepel, tellalian, webster, nyberg & curry (obviously) were in attendance. not hosty tho, and this is his ballywick. also, rick vitton (historical society), steve bachman, , mary kay monihan (re: her own property), morris o'connor (owns a coach house on 500 elgin), and another new gentleman who owns property w/coach house. looking for guidance, but none available tonight. advice was to call the bldg dept. sure, i'll do that, cause i'm a complete idiot.

Citizen,

9-10-5 of the Zoning Code concerns appeals. 

Bleary eyed tonight - signing off with a 6AM wake up tomorrow. Thanks for everyone's support, both those who were there and those who were not.

Paddy is an excellent human being.

And people who have tenants like Paddy are lucky. I am a lucky landlord/building owner whatever the hell I am.

It was his home. I just own there.

Goodnight everyone. Looks like your stuck with me for a bit longer.

Actaully - I believe a lot longer - although all of the issues have not been resolved.

Keep those zoning issues in mind as you go vote. Trust me - they are crucial and you kneed people who know their stuff and are willing to speak their minds, work a room and keep order in place.

More later.

There are many good people in town.

(You know, I'm leaving that agregious spelling error above - Kneen vs Need - it is an odd sort of symbolism - that I have to think about after food and coffee at Joe's Diner... I could really use a Joe's Diner about now - alas, I have only myself for a short order cook - for those of you who saw me last night - I definately qualify for the short part - just not the cook part)

The morning calls for a little levity... and more spelling errors.



Edited by conundrum - 11/April/2007 at 11:09am