More kinna win for me: Low income housing next door

ClimbnSink said:
Both use the law to stop someone from using their property because you disagree with the use. They are the same. Folks stopping low income housing with zoning are just as big wankers as those closing airports with zoning.
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Oh, please. I suppose we'll get a lecture about the Founding Fathers' constitutional intent next. :rolleyes:
 
The parallel drawn between killing an existing airport and creating a new facility like the one referenced herein in is specious.

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Mike: I'd suggest a round of Open Records Requests (in proper form in all respects) to determine (1) who has been talking with whom; (2) what plans have been proposed; (3) etc.

Open government is a requirement; also, be prepared to review your state law on when closed meetings (or "executive sessions") can legally be called - these are very often abused by elected bodies, based upon the (generally accurate) presumption that the electorate don't know any better. It can be embarrassing when they are proven wrong.
 
mikea said:
I spoke up and asked for a copy of what is being discussed. They asked for my info. We'll see.
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Mike,

They are not supposed to ask for your info. In our state information requests under the new law passed last year are not required to give any reason or identification. All you have to do is provide a written request. There is not even an approved format for that request. Scratching in on a cocktail napkin or a rock meets the requirement under the law.

Get familiar with the State FOIA
http://www.ag.state.il.us/government/FOIA_guide.pdf

If you want some help with this and the State Open Meetings Act call me. I got info on that stuff and have had to take classes on that for my trustee position. Also who is your state rep? Is it Mark Beaubien?
 
+1 on what Scott said.

Any time a government official wants to cling to information, you can bet they're up to no good.
 
Pjsmith said:
Mike,

A couple of things you and your neighbors should think about: your village code establishes explicit standards that the zba is supposed to consider for issuance of a special use permit, learn these and treat them as a hit list; the zba is advisory only - the village board can and may ignore the recommendations of the zba. So if you "win" with the zba you still are only part way there (and the village board has NO guidelines, standards or, frankly obligation to do right by you if it conflicts with their view of progress).

Finally, and most importantly, don't let anyone approach this with a nimby argument-- you will get tuned out. The zba hears from people all the time about how the neighborhood should stay the same as when they moved in. Won't happen and you'll be viewed as naive at the least and hypocritical at worst. Either way you'll be disregarded.

I've done land use and entitlement for a long time. This is winnable. If your crew needs some advice, I might be persuaded to part with it for the cost of a good cup of coffee.....

Patrick
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If you guys want to know how this has gone....
http://triblocal.com/grayslake/2011...osed-low-income-senior-facility-in-grayslake/

Thursday is the probably D-Day. A certain Patrick J. Smith has been an incredible and professional advocate playing it perfectly. :yes:

I waved everybody off of the NIMBY argument and went with Pat's other advice with the result being that I spoke first at the first hearing and proceded to completely disarm them from their rehearsed arguments in 3 minutes, and they haven't managed to find a chink in our arguments since.

http://grayslakeneighbors.com

We ain't done yet.
 
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AdamZ said:
I'm more concerned with the " Done Deal" Comment. Here in PA you need to give written notice in the papers and mail notice to all property owners whos property line is with in 500' of a proposed project.

Mike show up at the meeting with as many folks as you can muster. If it works the way it does here first you get to ask questions then you get to state a position. Try to get the nighbors to avoid the angry mob with pitchfork syndrome. They should present their case intelligently. It is certainly appropriate to metion that you were told that the project is a "done deal" by the mayor and ask questions about that. It is important to ask how any project will benefit the town and if you disagree in your presentation tell them so and give testimony about how it will adversly affect you.

You might not win but you need to be heard. It would also be worthwile having the neighbors pool some money to get a consult with a land planning / zoning or municipal law attorney. Around here the test for a zoning variance is whether there is a hardship that ( is not owner created) that prevents the land from being used under its present zoning. law of course could be different in Illinois. Best of Luck.
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Don't forget to invite the media.
 
Mike:

Generally speaking, if the proponents of any development which requires differential zoning are hesitant to release details, or if they attempt to mislead, then you'll find that it's probably not a good project.

If the city staff are withholding information, it suggests there may be an improper bias or connection between the developers and city staff.
 
My written comments, which were what I used for my speaking notes:

We were amazed when the zoning board started asking questions that they addressed MY points one by one. Can you say, "Winning?"
 

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I haven't been involved that closely in zoning issues, but your approach is excellent. It is really amazing how many people get so emotional, both the homeowners and zoning board, and it turns into a shouting match. Having somebody acting like an adult really can make a difference. Good luck!
 
My life is over anyway....

http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20110525/news/705259815/

e9792afd5255662f32787424ee881179


http://grayslake.patch.com/articles/residents-concerned-over-height-of-proposed-building

http://triblocal.com/grayslake/2011...troversial-grayslake-senior-housing-facility/

http://www.GrayslakeNeighbors.com/

We're taking bets as to when they think the heat is off and begin proceedings to condemn my house.
 
They're old and poor, why are we housing them? Time for Soilent Chow.... You could even put a facade up and have the "Soilent Products" factory next door, might keep them from moving in.
 
6-1 against us.

You know what Steve Whitney of Friends of Meigs said, "Wow. I must have been doing a really good job if in the end they had to cheat." Man, did they cheat. They tried to claim we couldn't present anything.

It ain't over yet.

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This fire was right behind that site. Megan, the reporter ran from talking to us to go cover it: http://triblocal.com/grayslake/2011/05/27/no-injuries-in-late-night-grayslake-apartment-fire/ She should post her story soon.
 
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Stay on them!!!

Ever hear of Gimbel's Dept. Stores? Of course!
In Boothbay Harbor, ME there is Gimbel's Country Store/The Smiling Cow: two adjacent businesses owned by Mr. and Mrs. Gimbel(not related to the big dept. store operation).
The big Gimbel's sued the local business owners for using the name. Mr. Gimbel fought it and it went on for quite a bit of litigation. Local owner won, though have something posted about "not associated with" etc. Perseverance!

HR

. . . and fascinating for me. Within a week or 10 days I'll have my Distinctive Views line of greeting cards on a large floor display at Gimbel's Country Store. I've been trying to crack that market for several years. From Memorial Day to Labor Day there is huge population increase via summer residents and vacationers. (Ask me if I'm wound-up)

From Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gimbels
(local information at the end of the article)

Ah; Here's the story:
http://www3.jsonline.com/bym/news/retail/apr99/990526taleoftwogimbelsendsi.asp?format=print
 

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Mike, I think it's time for you to start hoarding weapons, ammo and explosives and go to war with the construction company. A good .270 bolt action with a silencer is a good quiet weapon, you can just stealthily sneak around and off critical workers...pop...pop....
 
Henning said:
Mike, I think it's time for you to start hoarding weapons, ammo and explosives and go to war with the construction company. A good .270 bolt action with a silencer is a good quiet weapon, you can just stealthily sneak around and off critical workers...pop...pop....
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Nah. In this employmemt environment there are plenty more who would step up. :D
 
When the reporters ask for input, we, not being professional PR people, just speak without putting too much thought into what points we want to get out. I remember saying that WE don't have a PR person. Then we get quickly shooed out of the meeting room by the very guy who has not been exactly on our side. I was going to email her to ask to put our major point in the article. It turned out that got one of the major one's got in anyway.

http://triblocal.com/grayslake/2011...ious-low-income-senior-facility-in-grayslake/

The unsaid major shocker was their fine, fine, fine lawyer after he had screamed at the last meeting "NOTHING HAS CHANGED!" (so why were we holding things up?), screaming again this time, when asked about all of changes, "ANYTHING WE DON'T DO THAT WAS IN PREVIOUS AGREEMENT IS A MODIFICATION!" OK, then. Not that we thought you were acting like you had a blank check or anything. The point is most of "nothing has changed" is documented. The have just randomly said, "We not doing that," even to stuff that is written in their own application from March 7th.
 
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ClimbnSink said:
Let them use their property as they see fit.
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Then why do they have zoning laws?

I think I'll build a helipad on mine.

It wouldn't even be Their property if it wasn't for the previous chicanery (and your tax dollars. BTW, they got the grant as flood relief funding. :dunno:) It was never zoned for an apartment building of any type.
 
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We have zoning laws because of suffrage. Stop being a bunch of ladies and myob.
 
Zoning laws. On the one hand, I dislike them. On the other hand, I see the need for them.

In my mind, it comes down to a question of degree that they should regulate to, rather than whether they should exist.
 
Obi Heed Kenobi said:
Zoning laws. On the one hand, I dislike them. On the other hand, I see the need for them.

In my mind, it comes down to a question of degree that they should regulate to, rather than whether they should exist.
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There are cities that exist without them.
 
JeffDG said:
There are cities that exist without them.
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I'm sure there are. And there are plenty of places that have them that don't enforce them (and may or may not be bleepholes). A lot of it comes down to factors unique to a particular area.
 
Let them build the complex and as people start taking residence, "disappear them". Soon people will quit coming....
 
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