UPDATE: September 15, 2011 21:30
About 75 people attended tonight's meeting. After reports from the Zoning Advisory Board and CAPS representatives, announcements, and an informative presentation from a State of Illinois Treasurer's Office representative, a discussion about a proposed Hookah Lounge was held.
Note: the City of Chicago Zoning Committee hearing for the Hookah Lounge special license, originally scheduled for tomorrow, September 16, 2011, will be continued until either October 21 or November 16, 2011. The special use license variance will be determined after that hearing. The continuance was granted so that there would be adequate time for community discussion before the hearing.
Mr. Yohanna Sedrak and his attorney, Ryan McPhail presented their proposal to open a Hookah Lounge at 5001 N. Harlem. They presented a written information packet to the attendees outlining their background, defining terms like hookah and hookah lounge, the benefits to the local community and possible negative changes the lounge could bring to the community. A couple of clarifying points were made:
- No alcohol or food will be served on the premises.
- Products & services provided at the Hookah Lounge: tobacco sales, non-alcohol cold drinks, Internet connection and music.
- Hours of operation: 7 days/week, from 11am to 2am, though the owner wants to hear from the community about hours that would fit in with the usual activity in the neighborhood.
- Maximum capacity: 50 people.
- On-site parking spaces: approximately 11 spaces.
Next, a representative from the neighborhood, Mrs. Penny Finnerty, spoke, outlining concerns about the Hookah Lounge occupying the building at 5001 N. Harlem. These are a few of the concerns mentioned. If there are others, or something not mentioned from the meeting, please send a comment:
- Concerns about parking, specifically lounge patrons parking on side streets behind the lounge (Neva Avenue).
- Noise and disturbances from lounge patrons.
- Health concerns related to tobacco smoking: Primary and second hand smoke exposure causing lung diseases including cancer, & infectious, contagious airborne diseases from communal pipe use.
- Concerns about the Hookah Lounge being in close geographical proximity to homes of families with young children & teens.
Alderman Mary O'Connor spoke next, explaining the process for applying for the special use license, the City of Chicago Zoning Board hearing, her role in testifying, etc... When community residents asked the Alderman to comment about the proposed Hookah Lounge, she said that she has listened to community concerns, noted them and will testify at the zoning hearing about the concerns brought to her attention. Alderman O'Connor did state that she had concerns about the Hookah Lounge being a good fit for the community.
Feel free to send in your comments and observations...
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From: Foster Harlem Property Owners Association <fhpropertyowners@yahoo.com>Subject: Community Meeting 9/15
Date: Tuesday, August 30, 2011, 10:48 AM
The Foster Harlem Property Owners Association’s next meeting is scheduled for Thursday September 15, 7:00pm at St. Monica's Beyenka Hall, 5101 N Mont Clare.
Our scheduled guest speaker will be a representative from the Illinois State Treasuers Office who will outline their many beneficial programs including The "Cash Dash" program.
Also, there will be a forum addressing issues regarding the proposed hookah bar at Harlem and Argyle Avenues.
We hope you can join us for this informative meeting.
Bring a neighbor, new members are always welcome!
whatsa hookah bar? and why do we care if they open?
ReplyDelete9:58... Nice job acting like you care to know becasue you are open minded. Your reply already shows that you are the enemy. America.
ReplyDeletechill, 12:04pm - not everyone knows what a hookah bar is. I had to look it up when I first heard the term. For anyone who isn't familiar - hookah bars serve unfiltered tobacco via a communal pipe for 4 to 6 people. I was in one when I was stationed in San Francisco. Its a bar with communal pipes on the tables and people smoke different varieties of tobacco - no big deal.
ReplyDeleteI think the issue here is that they might be applying for a license that allows them to stay open into the early hours of the morning and the neighbors are concerned about noise and traffic.
Why not invite Rahm to stop in so he can talk to us in his famous non-stop choreographed circles? By the time he's through, we will all need a drink and a pipe at the hookah bar.
ReplyDeleteThere are no cops left in the 16th district. Forget calling police at 3am to deal with drunks.
ReplyDeleteThere is another one of these hookah bars further down on Harlem Ave. It has been and will always be nothing but trouble. This particular one at 5001 N. Harlem will also be applying for a liquor license, a permit to have a dance floor and a 5am closing. They are assigned only 4 parking places so it's obvious what that means...patrons will be parking all over the neighborhood. Teasers Bar on Higgins also has a 5am license and everyone knows that place has been nothing but problems. Please everyone attend to voice their nay vote
ReplyDeleteto 12:52PM. And i'm sure we'll need more than regular tobacco in that pipe after Rahm leaves
ReplyDeleteThere are some really serious issues citizens of Chicago and the 41st need to be dealing with, like the unjust property tax hike imposed on us without a forensic budget or any attempts to stop fraud and corruption in city programs.
ReplyDeleteThe 16th police district is seriously understaffed. The 16th is the largest police district in the city, yet has the fewest resources.
Our schools are terribly overcrowded and need resources. The infastructure in the ward needs attention and an economic revitalization plan needs to be addressed.
These are issues to meet about. Who cares about a stupid bar.
Our neighborhood has been hit hard with burglaries the last few months. Crime is up and police numbers are down - not a great equation. Where are the cops Rahm promised us? Shuffling pos around didn't do diddly for the 16th.
ReplyDeleteI'm not going to go to a meeting to beef about a bar. But I will go to a meeting to beef about a property tax hike and the need for more police.
ReplyDeleteWhere is that goofy mayor and why won't he come to the Northwest side for a town hall meeting? I'll tell you why - he is afraid to come here.
a hookha bar? hookha cares?
ReplyDelete12:42.. The idea of telling people that hookah bars are not a threat to the community is sad. You are the same type of person that says that a strip club is not a diminishment of a community standard. Get out of America, and trash another country.
ReplyDeleteTo Sept 4 9:02A. You obviously don't live near Harlem and Argyle, maybe you don't even live in the 41st. ward. What do you think will happen with a neighborhood hookah bar with a dance floor, 5AM liquor license and only 4 assigned parking spaces/ The patrons will park in the surrounding neighborhood, create disturbances and generally trash the area when they leave at 5AM
ReplyDeleteI certainly hope Alderman O'Connor stops this hookah bar
ReplyDeleteWhere does Alderman O'Connor stand on this issue? Why hasn't she lent her support? Will she be appearing at this meeting?
ReplyDeleteRumor has it Alderman O'Connor appeared at the zoning meeting regarding this hookah bar to voice her displeasure, as did her employee Lisa Ryan. Apparently the vote regarding the variancehas been postponed for another month. Everyone needs to show up at the beat meeting this tuesday at Oriole Park at 7PM and also the Harlem Foster property association meeting thursday at 7PM.
ReplyDelete"Rumor has it"???
ReplyDeleteI don't listen to rumors. Either the Alderman attended or she didn't. I'm not going to meetings based on rumor
Not buying into the Alderman rumor nonsense. Either the Alderman is for or against. Where does she stand on this issue or anything? I have no idea where she stands on any of these important ward and city issues and yet she is suppose to be voting with the residents in the ward in mind.
ReplyDeleteI've read her website - nothing there about how she votes.
She has yet tp be quoted in any newspaper or by any reporter in the city. As far as I know, she has been sunning on a beach in Hawaii since May.
It is too bad that she doesn't residents can call to find out her policy positions...
ReplyDeleteOne good thing Doherty did was prevent the opening of currency exchanges/massage parlors in the ward. I attended numerous zoning meetings where this came up and Doherty always vehemently opposed it.
ReplyDeleteTo 8:13PM. Doherty did something good?
ReplyDeleteTo September 13 8:13PM. You must be a friend of Doherty's as I can't remember anything good he ever did except support the bars on Northwest Hwy.
ReplyDeleteTo 10:38: Here's one: He started the zoning advisory board - I believe the first in the city, which Mary O'Connor has decided to keep in place. And please take a look outside of the ward there are currency exchanges going up all over the 45th ward, cash for gold and countless dollar stores, which is not so great for the area. Can't say the same for the 41st, which is one less thing for you to complain about:)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qR1_USzN_9Y
ReplyDeleteVideo of a Prince Hookha Lounge in Lexington, Kentucky
Prices: From Prince Hookha Lounge Facebook Site
ReplyDelete8.99 for a single flavor single hose hookah
9.99 for a two flavors single hose hookah
12.99 for a single flavor double hose hookah
13.99 for a double flavor double hose hookah
20.00 for a special hookah
Just a suggestion for either side of this debate:
ReplyDeleteOne way to generate support is to create an on-line petition. An on-line petition and account can be set up easily through www.ipetiiton.com
Once you set up the petition template, you can link to other community websites, blogs, send to friends and neighbors etc... it is a fast and easy way to obtain electronic signatures. Could be easier than going door to door.
I would consider posting a link to an on-line petition, for example, if it were worded in an objective, non-offensive manner. Just a thought.
I wasn't there, but if there is no booze served, what is the big deal?
ReplyDeleteyeah, what is the big deal? That building is sitting there empty. Don't we want businesses to move in?
ReplyDeleteBooze won't be sold but patrons are free to BYOB. There are 8 parking spaces available and 8 employees so guess where patrons will be parking? In the surrounding neighborhood. This place is not wanted so I can't understand why this guy would want to open a business where he isn't welcome. I sincerely hope alderman O'Connor stops this or positively she will be a one term alderman
ReplyDeleteI was under the impression the alderman has the authority to deny a permit for this hookah lounge. Why isn't she doing it or is she just sidestepping the issue?
ReplyDeleteCan't BYOB unless there is food served. This place isn't serving food. No BYOB for them
ReplyDeleteThey have 8 employees working 15 hour shifts? Don't think so. More likely 4 employees per shift.
ReplyDeleteI was sitting in the audience of this meeting, and heard the remarks about not wanting middle eastern culture here and telling the owner to put his business in a middle eastern neighborhood because "we" don't want it here.
ReplyDeleteI didn't see anything about this in the comments, so I want to go on record as not being one of the "we". We are all Americans, no matter where our families come from. If this man wants to place a business here, and as long as he follows the rules and laws governing business, like any of the other business owners in the community, he should be allowed.
So, that's the elephant in the room.
ReplyDeleteThe owner of the business should consider renting parking from the old Carson's restaurant across the street or from other nearby parking lots.
ReplyDeleteVery few of the businesses along harlem have their own parking lots. This business has eleven parking spaces on the property. I live near Triccocci Salon, down the street from this place and parking was a constant issue until permit parking.
ReplyDeleteMaybe the Neva people could get permit only parking, if that truly is the issue here.
To 8:06.....Don't get high and righteous. Hookah is a bad fit. It is equivalent to a cash advance/ pawn shop, tattoo parlor, message parlor, and travel agent/notary/blunt/flaming hot Doretos stand. Destroy somewhere else, not the 41st ward....America.
ReplyDeleteI was at the meeting and supportive of the local neighbors concerns until I heard those culturally insensitive comments about the middle eastern culture spoken out loud and much of the info the neighbors have been spreading around to be inaccurate. It will not be a bar, and there are parking spaces on the property.
ReplyDeleteI, too, don't want to be associated with people would have biases against Arab Americans - I left that meeting feeling the whole subject was "icky".
I wouldn't want anyone to think that this community and church going members of St. Monica's think this way, and I am sorry to say, I guess they do.
As stated in the comments, there is no alcohol involved, the guy can rent a parking lot somewhere, and maybe close at 1am or so, like other places, and lets call it a day
1:13 "America"
ReplyDeleteAbandoned buildings are a better fit the community?
nothing wrong with legit businesses like travel agencies, currency exchanges, tattoo parlors (they are licensed by the city and are super regulated these days), and we already have massages being given at all the little spas all over the place.
ReplyDeleteI don't think these businesses hurt communities and they only stay open if you support them.
I was wondering what was going on with this hookah situation. I think there has been an over-reaction by a handful of the robe & curlers coffee klatch ladies on Neva.
ReplyDeleteIf there were a prison or a hazardous waste dump being built on the property, I think there would be an issue. This seems like nonsense.
I remember years ago, when this Harlem-Foster property owners association first came together, it was over a group home of developmentally disabled adults moving into the victorian at Carmen and New England. Every one freaked out at the time, and to this day, they have never caused anyone any trouble (I know, because I live near there)
wouldn't want to be an arab american in your neighborhood
ReplyDeleteSo does St, Monica's sponsor the Harlem-Foster Property Owners group or do they just let them use the hall?
ReplyDeleteThe Harlem Foster Property Owners meetings are listed in the St. Monica Parish bulletin - they obviously support them.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure what kind of businesses the neighborhood wants, but if they haven't heard, small businesses are closing all over the country and we have vacant stores and businesses everywhere in the community. I advise working with the alderman to come up with a parking plan, either establish permit parking on Neva and/or have the owner rent parking space, somewhere close. The key here, is trying to work on a viable solution, not just dismissing the plan outright based on fear mongering.
ReplyDeleteI have lived in California for a number of years and can attest that Hookah Lounges/Cafes are all over the place on the West Coast and are upscale and pricey. Additionally, the ones I've been too have nice furnishings and have neat, attractive cafe like appearances. Take the time to study the owner's business plan and restoration plan for the building.
Don't dismiss this opportunity because it is something new and unfamiliar. As for the prejudice written about in the comments, I would hope the more sensible neighbors with less of a provential view of the situation would come forward and lead the neighbors. It sounds like the loudest, and least educated decided to lead the charge, and that most certainly will not produce anything but trouble.
A Petition against a hookah bar at the 5001 North Harlem site is being circulated. If you are interested in signing please contact:
ReplyDeletePat and Penny Finerty
773-467-0301
We would be pleased to arrange for a time convenient for you to sign the petition.
Because there are community members who have sent in comments of support and/or no opposition about the Hookah Lounge, I think it only fair to post the contact information for the Hookah Lounge Owner in case someone would like to send an email noting support or no opposition:
ReplyDeleteRyan McPhail
Keener McPhail Salles LLC
161 N. Clark St.
Chicago, Illinois 60601
info@kmscounsel.com
Owner's Name: Yohanna Sedrak
icky, I agree
ReplyDeleteIt was a terribly racist meeting. The poeple who were there yelling at the owner should be ashamed. Very Icky!
ReplyDeleteJust to clarify, the Foster-Harlem Property Owners Association and St. Monica's Parish are not affiliated. The Foster-Harlem Association rents the hall from St. Monica's for each of the meetings.
ReplyDeletethe church is its people, and most of the people in attendance were St. Monica's parishioners. Could use some preaching about racism
ReplyDeleteWhen is the next community meeting at St.Monicas or did I miss it? thanks
ReplyDeleteThey just couldnt open up a dunken donuts could they. Of course a hooka bar... another buisness on harlem that serves no purpose that will be out of business in less than a year. Great!
ReplyDelete