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The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

Residents Plan Protest at 46th Ward Zoning Meeting

Uptown — Residents plan to protest the 46th Ward Zoning and Development Committee meeting Monday night in opposition of a $230 million proposal to build luxury housing in a tax increment finance district by the lakefront.

The zoning committee is an advisory group created by Ald. James Cappleman (46th) that in March approved three measures in JDL Development's plan for a luxury living complex in the Montrose/Clarendon Tax Increment Finance district, at the former site of Maryville Academy.

JDL is asking for at least $32 million in TIF money, which includes $6 million to renovate the field house at Clarendon Park.

"The Maryville TIF proposal is the latest example of TIF funds being used as a slush fund for private developers, at the expense of public schools, parks, and city and county services," activists with Northside Action for Justice said in a statement.

The protest is scheduled for 7 p.m., at Weiss Memorial Hospital, 4646 N. Marine Dr., where committee members are slated to meet and discuss the proposal and take an advisory vote before the plan goes to Cappleman and the city for approval.

Northside Action for Justice said that the zoning committee "does not accurately represent the diversity of the neighborhood, a concern which residents will raise at the meeting."

Cappleman critics have said the committee is overwhelmingly composed of his supporters, including hand-picked members, who are biased toward condominium owners and developers as opposed to low and moderate-income residents.

Cappleman, however, has not given his opinion on the project. He said he is waiting for the zoning committee to make a final recommendation before weighing in. But he told DNAinfo Chicago he expects the project to move forward.