Near North Preservation Coalition

Gold Coast Neighbors has supported the Near North Preservation Coalition financially by contributing $160,000 over the past 8 years. Gold Coast Neighbors is committed to continuing to support this worthwhile organization in its effort to protect our unique neighborhood’s zoning laws.

History of The Near North Preservation Coalition
The Near North Preservation Coalition (NNPC) was formed in 1997, in response to a proposal to build a high-rise at 65 E. Goethe St. Tom Begel, as president, led the coalition with representatives of the Gold Coast Neighbors Association, as well as the North Dearborn Association, as board members. At approximately the same time, the partnership, which owned the property at 1320 Lake Shore Drive, which had operated as a parking lot for 45 years, announced plans to develop the property.

The neighborhood, including the Gold Coast Neighbors Association, voiced strong opposition and requested Alderman Natarus and then Alderman Bernadini to downzone both properties and enact a height limitation ordinance applicable to all properties between Division and North Avenue, east of the alley west of Dearborn.

The developer of 65 East Goethe relented and constructed a beautifully designed building to grace the neighborhood. However, Draper and Kramer, the proposed developer of 1320 Lake Shore Drive, refused to compromise with the neighborhood and the City withheld approval of the project. To support enactment of the height limitation ordinance, the NNPC hosted a community meeting at the Chicago Historical Society on December 1, 1998, which was attended by more than 350 residents. One week later, the City Council passed the proposed height limitation ordinance. Also in 1998, NNPC filed a friend-of-the court brief in Federal Appeals Court, urging affirmation of the Federal District Court’s decision barring the construction of a high-rise behind the International College of Surgeons on Lake Shore Drive. The Appeals Court agreed.

Meanwhile, the Draper litigation over 1320 Lake Shore Drive against the City of Chicago and intervenors proceeded. The case was divided into two parts and two trials. The first trial involved the City of Chicago’s denial of permission to Draper and Kramer to build a high-rise pursuant to their 1978 Planned Development Proposal. Judge Julia Nowicki held in favor of the City and intervenors, including the NNPC. Further hearings will be held later this summer (2004).

The second part of the case involved the validity of the downzoning of 1320 Lake Shore Drive and the height limitations applicable to the entire neighborhood. Judge Nowicki ruled in favor of the city and intervenors last year and Draper & Kramer filed an appeal. The First District Appellate Court upheld Judge Nowicki’s ruling on September 1, 2004.

To preclude any chance of surrender after this 30-year battle to protect and preserve the neighborhood, NNPC, along with Aldermen Vi Daley and Burt Natarus, the Gold Coast Neighbors Association and the North Dearborn Association once again convened at the Chicago Historical Society on June 24. And once again, hundreds of neighborhood residents attended to show their support.