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or Click this Link: From the Corner
FROM THE CORNER - URGENT HIGHWOOD TOWERS BULLETIN #2 - January 14, 2007
HIGHWOOD NEEDS YOUR HELP NOW!
FTC Special Edition -- Guest Columnist
Mary L. Sfasciotti, Esq.
Introduction
FTC welcomes comments and contributions from its readers. We first brought you a commentary from former Mayor Sirotti on the outrageous actions of the City Council in levying a 20% tax hike without showing any need or justification. The Highwood Towers proposal is likewise generating a lot of interest from people who have reviewed the proposal. Today's FTC is entirely devoted to some thoughtful commentary from Mary Sfasciotti. I have never had the pleasure of meeting her, but I have corresponded with her on the Highwood Towers proposal. I also know that:
She is a resident of the Highwood portion of the Town of Fort Sheridan Subdivision;
She is an attorney, who is deeply devoted to several volunteer causes; has chaired Bar association Committees (If you doubt her credentials, do a quick Google search on her recent volunteerism);
In addition to the info provided by FTC, she has been actively engaged in seeking other information, from other sources regarding the Developer and the Highwood Towers proposal;
She has researched the developer's background;
She has distributed this information within Fort Sheridan (but doesn't have FTC's resources to widely distribute it); so
She has graciously agreed to allow this material to be posted to THE NEW FTC WEB SITE, and distributed directly by e-mail.
In addition to the countless hours expended by today's guest columnist, many others are doing similar meticulous research. I can assure you of two things:
None of this would have been possible without the Developer's materials being distributed by FTC. None of this information came from City Hall voluntarily. As a matter of fact, the Mayor actually tried to suppress their distribution. He actually threatened a resident who obtained the materials before the first hearing. To paraphrase "You better return that book, it doesn't belong to you. Besides you will just give it to Diambri/FTC!"). What a shock! The Mayor should be complimenting the resident for their civic interest, and welcoming a review and distribution by the former City Attorney! What is he hiding?
That despite the meager resources available, FTC and its readers/contributors have done far more research and due diligence on the Highwood Towers than the City and it's staff have. WOW!
ONCE AGAIN, The hearing is January 18, 2007 at 7:00 PM at Highwood City Hall. FTC will bring you more info as the hearing approaches. It is critical that you ATTEND AND EXPRESS YOUR OPINIONS! The trained Chimps, flying monkeys and insincere shills certainly will.
Mary's comments follow. They were written just before the release of the new zoning submittal so some of the numbers are slightly off, but the analysis is still sound. The comments and the supporting documents are also attached as a PDF file for your printing convenience.
A Message From Mary L. Sfasciotti, Esq.
Mary Sfasciotti Photo Unavailable, FTC Simulation
On January 18, 2007, the Highwood Plan Commission and Zoning Board will hold a second hearing to decide whether the property now occupied by the Moraine Restaurant and Hotel should be zoned to permit the development of two nine-story retail/residential "Highwood Towers" containing 172-198 apartments and first floor commercial space. This proposed development will be situated next to North Shore Estates. The developers are Chrisoula Kozinis, President of Mega Properties, Inc. and her husband, Demetrios L. Kozinis, President of Delko Construction Co. and Metron Plumbing. (Exhibits A and B).
The proposed "project manager" for Highwood Towers will be Matthew Andelman, a recent college graduate, whose achievements include being honored as the 2003 Caddie of the Year by the St. Charles Country Club. (Exhibit C).
This husband and wife team have developed similar retail/residential condos in Chicago for the Jefferson Park area, which they tried to push through despite protests of residents that the project would bring more population density and traffic congestion to the area and would devalue their $500,000+ homes. (Exhibits D). The City of Chicago eliminated older stores on the site through the power of eminent domain. But there was a shop that refused to sell, went to court and won the case. (Exhibit E). However, the Kozinis have caused a lot of problems. (Exhibit F) . People beware!
I am concerned about this project and you should be as well. Why? Let me tell you, why: Highwood Towers will be a condominium consisting of 172-198 one and two bedroom condos, situated next door to the 252 decaying North Shore Estates apartment complex. There will be 430 or 450 residential units in a block-long area along Sheridan Road adjacent to Fort Sheridan homes. This is POPULATION DENSITY!
The Koznis' marketing plans are to sell their condos to "empty nesters"(widows and widowers) and "affluent buyers from Lake Forest, Fort Sheridan and Highland Park." Are there that many widows and widowers in Highwood who want to shell out a minimum of $217,000 +for a one-bedroom apartment? Would any "affluent buyer" from Fort Sheridan or Lake Forest want to buy a 750 sq. ft. apartment that has Formica counter tops and vinyl kitchen and bathroom floors?
What will Sheridan Road between Old Elm and Washington Streets look like after this project is built?
Two gas stations at either end; Four or five strip malls ( maybe six with the shops at Highwood Towers); One McDonald drive through restaurant, with a parking lot; One Starbucks drive-through coffee shop with a parking lot; One funeral home with a large parking lot; One overcrowded, roach and mold-infected residential complex consisting of 252 apartments inhabited by lower income folks, with outdoor parking; One 164-198-unit building inhabited by elderly widows, widowers and "affluent seniors".
or Click this Link: From the Corner
FROM THE CORNER - URGENT HIGHWOOD TOWERS BULLETIN #2 - January 14, 2007
HIGHWOOD NEEDS YOUR HELP NOW!
FTC Special Edition -- Guest Columnist
Mary L. Sfasciotti, Esq.
Introduction
FTC welcomes comments and contributions from its readers. We first brought you a commentary from former Mayor Sirotti on the outrageous actions of the City Council in levying a 20% tax hike without showing any need or justification. The Highwood Towers proposal is likewise generating a lot of interest from people who have reviewed the proposal. Today's FTC is entirely devoted to some thoughtful commentary from Mary Sfasciotti. I have never had the pleasure of meeting her, but I have corresponded with her on the Highwood Towers proposal. I also know that:
She is a resident of the Highwood portion of the Town of Fort Sheridan Subdivision;
She is an attorney, who is deeply devoted to several volunteer causes; has chaired Bar association Committees (If you doubt her credentials, do a quick Google search on her recent volunteerism);
In addition to the info provided by FTC, she has been actively engaged in seeking other information, from other sources regarding the Developer and the Highwood Towers proposal;
She has researched the developer's background;
She has distributed this information within Fort Sheridan (but doesn't have FTC's resources to widely distribute it); so
She has graciously agreed to allow this material to be posted to THE NEW FTC WEB SITE, and distributed directly by e-mail.
In addition to the countless hours expended by today's guest columnist, many others are doing similar meticulous research. I can assure you of two things:
None of this would have been possible without the Developer's materials being distributed by FTC. None of this information came from City Hall voluntarily. As a matter of fact, the Mayor actually tried to suppress their distribution. He actually threatened a resident who obtained the materials before the first hearing. To paraphrase "You better return that book, it doesn't belong to you. Besides you will just give it to Diambri/FTC!"). What a shock! The Mayor should be complimenting the resident for their civic interest, and welcoming a review and distribution by the former City Attorney! What is he hiding?
That despite the meager resources available, FTC and its readers/contributors have done far more research and due diligence on the Highwood Towers than the City and it's staff have. WOW!
ONCE AGAIN, The hearing is January 18, 2007 at 7:00 PM at Highwood City Hall. FTC will bring you more info as the hearing approaches. It is critical that you ATTEND AND EXPRESS YOUR OPINIONS! The trained Chimps, flying monkeys and insincere shills certainly will.
Mary's comments follow. They were written just before the release of the new zoning submittal so some of the numbers are slightly off, but the analysis is still sound. The comments and the supporting documents are also attached as a PDF file for your printing convenience.
A Message From Mary L. Sfasciotti, Esq.
Mary Sfasciotti Photo Unavailable, FTC Simulation
On January 18, 2007, the Highwood Plan Commission and Zoning Board will hold a second hearing to decide whether the property now occupied by the Moraine Restaurant and Hotel should be zoned to permit the development of two nine-story retail/residential "Highwood Towers" containing 172-198 apartments and first floor commercial space. This proposed development will be situated next to North Shore Estates. The developers are Chrisoula Kozinis, President of Mega Properties, Inc. and her husband, Demetrios L. Kozinis, President of Delko Construction Co. and Metron Plumbing. (Exhibits A and B).
The proposed "project manager" for Highwood Towers will be Matthew Andelman, a recent college graduate, whose achievements include being honored as the 2003 Caddie of the Year by the St. Charles Country Club. (Exhibit C).
This husband and wife team have developed similar retail/residential condos in Chicago for the Jefferson Park area, which they tried to push through despite protests of residents that the project would bring more population density and traffic congestion to the area and would devalue their $500,000+ homes. (Exhibits D). The City of Chicago eliminated older stores on the site through the power of eminent domain. But there was a shop that refused to sell, went to court and won the case. (Exhibit E). However, the Kozinis have caused a lot of problems. (Exhibit F) . People beware!
I am concerned about this project and you should be as well. Why? Let me tell you, why: Highwood Towers will be a condominium consisting of 172-198 one and two bedroom condos, situated next door to the 252 decaying North Shore Estates apartment complex. There will be 430 or 450 residential units in a block-long area along Sheridan Road adjacent to Fort Sheridan homes. This is POPULATION DENSITY!
The Koznis' marketing plans are to sell their condos to "empty nesters"(widows and widowers) and "affluent buyers from Lake Forest, Fort Sheridan and Highland Park." Are there that many widows and widowers in Highwood who want to shell out a minimum of $217,000 +for a one-bedroom apartment? Would any "affluent buyer" from Fort Sheridan or Lake Forest want to buy a 750 sq. ft. apartment that has Formica counter tops and vinyl kitchen and bathroom floors?
What will Sheridan Road between Old Elm and Washington Streets look like after this project is built?
Two gas stations at either end; Four or five strip malls ( maybe six with the shops at Highwood Towers); One McDonald drive through restaurant, with a parking lot; One Starbucks drive-through coffee shop with a parking lot; One funeral home with a large parking lot; One overcrowded, roach and mold-infected residential complex consisting of 252 apartments inhabited by lower income folks, with outdoor parking; One 164-198-unit building inhabited by elderly widows, widowers and "affluent seniors".
A total of 430-450 residential units in a one-mile stretch of Sheridan Road, immediately adjacent to Fort Sheridan, with parking lots.
Does the City of Highwood or its Zoning and Planning Board care about the traffic congestion, the air and noise pollution, in a mile-long stretch on Sheridan Road and the inevitable diminishment of the quality of life for the entire area, and especially the Fort Sheridan residents? Can you imagine longer lines of vehicles at the stop lights at Elm Street and Washington Street, once the new housing units are occupied? And all those trucks going and coming, from the West to the East, North and South during construction of 220 Navy residential units at the South End of Fort Sheridan and the 552 new units for the Town of Fort Sheridan? Did the City of Highwood or its Boards and - Commissions undertake any independent impact studies? No! THIS IS NEGLIGENCE!
The developer is asking the City and the Zoning Committee to use a "recent" 2000 Illinois Department of Transportation Traffic Map showing that Sheridan Road had an average of 11,900 vehicles traveling Sheridan Road. In 2000, Fort Sheridan was a dirt pile. THIS IS NONSENSE!
Have the elected officials of the City of Highwood made full disclosure of any ties to the Kozinis, who are generous political contributors? Exhibit G.
Is this project a done deal between the developers, the city fathers and mothers? Why isn't the City encouraging the Kozinis to build at the South end of Highwood's business district which looks like a dump and can use some improvement?
Please, come to the meeting on January 18, 2007.
Signed: Mary L. Sfasciotti
Highwood, IL
E-mail: sfaslaw@ameritech.net
================================
HIGHWOOD TOWERS ZONING MEETING: On January 18th, 2007 at 7:00 PM the Plan Commission and Zoning Board will commence a new hearing for approval of MEGA Realty's nine story, mixed use Highwood Towers proposal. If you care about Highwood's future, you will be there.
You will find the Highwood Towers Zoning submittal and related materials on the web site (http://hwdftc.home.comcast.net or From the Corner) available for download. In addition, these materials are available for inspection at Highwood City Hall. Further, FTC has provided the City with CD-ROMs containing the PDF materials. You can pick these up at City Hall.
The developer is asking the City and the Zoning Committee to use a "recent" 2000 Illinois Department of Transportation Traffic Map showing that Sheridan Road had an average of 11,900 vehicles traveling Sheridan Road. In 2000, Fort Sheridan was a dirt pile. THIS IS NONSENSE!
Have the elected officials of the City of Highwood made full disclosure of any ties to the Kozinis, who are generous political contributors? Exhibit G.
Is this project a done deal between the developers, the city fathers and mothers? Why isn't the City encouraging the Kozinis to build at the South end of Highwood's business district which looks like a dump and can use some improvement?
Please, come to the meeting on January 18, 2007.
Signed: Mary L. Sfasciotti
Highwood, IL
E-mail: sfaslaw@ameritech.net
================================
HIGHWOOD TOWERS ZONING MEETING: On January 18th, 2007 at 7:00 PM the Plan Commission and Zoning Board will commence a new hearing for approval of MEGA Realty's nine story, mixed use Highwood Towers proposal. If you care about Highwood's future, you will be there.
You will find the Highwood Towers Zoning submittal and related materials on the web site (http://hwdftc.home.comcast.net or From the Corner) available for download. In addition, these materials are available for inspection at Highwood City Hall. Further, FTC has provided the City with CD-ROMs containing the PDF materials. You can pick these up at City Hall.
Please advise if you would like to be removed from the service list, or if you know of anyone that would like to receive future Newsletters or information. Also, got any news, info, articles to contribute or story ideas? Let me know.
Thank you for your interest.
PS - Remember, the FTC "Year in Review" is coming soon!
Paul P. Diambri
Law Offices of Diambri & Caravello
300 Green Bay Road
Highwood, IL 60040
Phone: 847-433-2800
Fax: 847-433-7270
E-mail: HWDLAW@aol.com
1 comment:
I believe this item that you have on your website is significantly meaningful!
http://hwdftc.home.comcast.net/Highwood-Towers/HWD_Towers_-_commissions_that_did_their_job.pdf
All of the commissioners should take notice!
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