WICKER PARK — An anonymous flier circulating around Wicker Park is asking residents to be aware of a proposal for a rooftop patio planned for a new restaurant and bar on North Avenue.
"We have at least six package liquor stores and 12 restaurants serving liquor in a one-block radius," the letter states. "In the summertime, our neighborhood is overburdened by noise. ... a proposal to have a rooftop seating area will particularly impact residents of Hoyne and Pierce."
Though heads of a neighborhood group said they did not know the origins of the flier, they invited the public to their organization's meeting Tuesday to hear a proposal for a rooftop patio at Chicago Chop Shop, 2033 W. North Ave., just west of the Milwaukee-Damen-North avenues intersection.
The Wicker Park Committee's Preservation and Development Subcommittee is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Wicker Park Field House at 1425 N. Damen Ave.
The special use permit for the Chop Shop's rooftop patio is expected to come before a city zoning committee Friday, according to an agenda posted online.
Attorney Rolando Acosta, who's representing Chop Shop's owner Nick Moretti, said, "If people want more time [to talk about it], I can't see why we can't give them more time."
Acosta said "if there are legitimate questions that need more time to be resolved" he is "happy to do that."
Teddy Varndell, president of the Wicker Park Committee, said his intention is to make the public aware that the Chop Shop's special use permit request is going to the Zoning Board of Appeals on Friday along with a proposal for a second-level patio at 1649 N. Damen Ave. in Bucktown's 32nd ward to be used by Goddess and Grocer, which is relocating to the former Dairy Queen building.
"The alderman should ask that these two issues be deferred until a broader public meeting can be held," said Varndell.
Ald. Joe Moreno (1st) did not return calls for comment, though spokesman Matt Bailey said Moreno plans to be at the meeting Tuesday "to hear any concerns" from residents.
Acosta said the proposed patio is approximately 1,000 square feet, can accommodate 68 patrons and is surrounded by four walls.
"The only thing that makes it outdoors is the fact it does not have a roof," he said.
Acosta said "the only concern people can have would be noise."
"But what are we, a half a block from the screeching "L?" he said.
Acosta said "people talking over dinner, an occasional dish clanking" would be the type of noise coming from the walled patio.
Acosta said he plans to bring drawings of the proposed patio to the meeting and confirmed that there will be "no live music on the roof."
Ed Tamminga, the Wicker Park Committee's Preservation & Development chairman, said he "expects a number of people at the meeting" and called the issue "substantial."
Tamminga said he's put in a request that the alderman hold a public meeting on the proposal "so the [Wicker Park Committee meeting] doesn't become the only public forum."
"Anyone living close by that has open windows will hear activity of the patio," Tamminga said. "How noisy will the patio be? We don't know. This is going to be a rooftop bar with potential for being a bit noisy and rowdy."
Tamminga said everything else associated with the business is zoning compliant and whether or not the Chop Shop can have its rooftop patio is "the only outstanding thing."
Other topics to be discussed at Tuesday's meeting include Big Star's proposed expansion to an adjacent storefront at 1537 N. Damen Ave.
