Roseland Heights Community Association

Letter to Suntimes

Jul 07, 2009

Dear Editor,
Notices to let The Roseland Heights Community know of a proposed zoning change for the premises East 98th Street from Michigan Avenue to Wabash & State Street were sent out the week of June 21. The current zoning is park/open space district. The proposed change is RS-3 Resident Single Unit (detached house). The explanation for change: Alderman Lyle (6th Ward) filed for the change on behalf of the Chicago Board of Education (BOE) and the Public Building Commission of Chicago to make interior renovations and exterior repairs to Harlan High School. It seems that in 2008 Harlan was inadvertently rezoned and included with the Park. Current zoning will not facilitate the improvements described.
Just off the top of my head without knowing now much of this is true The only reason to change a zone to; RS-3 Resident Single Unit (detached house) District is to build Single Unit (detached houses), where there was open green space which increased our property values.*The zone change will allow development on what was open space park land and lower our property values! It is a misconception that the change is needed to make renovations to Harlan High School.The Roseland Heights Community Association Parks Committee has fought for more services and better community treatment from the Chicago Park District. To a great extent it seemed to the community that Abbott Park (49 E. 95th Street) was the dumping ground for any activity other neighboring parks didn't want. Many events with or without permits did not benefit the park and had devastatingly bad effects. After a year of work with our committee, the park was showing some level of improvement, but this zone change will wreak havoc on our park.The premise that it is needed for parkway landscaping is rejected! Hear Our Voices. We reject zone change Application# A-7515. We want to keep our park and open space.
Stop this Rezoning! Don't let City Officials disregard the need for green space in Black communities. The Concerned Citizens of Roseland Heights are outraged by the proposed zoning of our park from current zone.We fear this zone change will allow development on what was open space and Park land, lowering our property values! We were caught off-guard, but we are awake now and demand that appointed and elected officials change bad public policies so that citizens are properly served with factual real improvements. The Concerned Citizens of Roseland Heights plan to do everything possible to stop and limit any activity, public policy, or zone change that is not good for this community.