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!
