Hare Krishna Dear Devotees,
Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
URGENT & IMPORTANT – Your worship experience at the temple is at risk.
A new development in the works next to your own ISKCON Chicago Temple will drastically jeopardize the worship experience for you and our community.
Background:
DLG Management, a Real Estate developer, purchased the apartment building next to the temple (1710 W Lunt Ave) back in 2017. The developer now wants to nearly triple the size of the current apartment building with 7 units by extending the existing 4-story structure alongside the temple boundary all the way back toward the alley and the rear of the building. The developer is requesting the 49th Ward for a zoning change for the new building plan to be approved.
The developer had attempted to change the zoning back in 2017, but had failed due to strong opposition from the congregation and neighboring residents. With the newly elected Alderwoman, Maria Hadden, the developer is seeking once again to change the zoning rule to pave the way for the new project.
What this means to your Temple if the Alderwoman approves the builder’s proposal:
- Our programs stand the risk of being curbed by noise complaints by neighbors; Longstanding services like Mangala Arati kirtan and festivals that go into the night will become a source of contention with the new neighbors of the expanded building.
- The temple room basks in the sunlight throughout the day. The new construction will completely block the sunlight that will render it a forlorn ambience.
- Consequently, our community relations could become poor at best, the worst case being lawsuits.
- Aggravated precarious parking conditions in the area that is already a nightmare on Lunt Ave leading to Clark and neighboring streets.
- Severely compromise on the architectural heritage of the temple building, constructed in 1910 and an honorary member of ‘Open House Chicago’ and Rogers Park Historical Society,
What you can do:
- A virtual public hearing would be held on February 8, at 6 pm to discuss the proposed zoning change to this site. Please vote to BLOCK THIS PROPOSAL during the zoom meeting (when prompted by our Temple leadership). Meeting info: Tuesday, February 8, at 6pm, please register at bit.ly/1710Lunt
- Forward this message to well-wishers/friends of the temple.
- Nothing can happen for us without the grace of Srila Prabhupada and Sri Sri Kisora Kisori. Please visit this link to read our humble prayers we can collectively offer Them to help us overcome this challenge to Their service!
Your presence and support is very important for us to ensure the ABOVE PROPOSAL BY DLG MANAGEMENT IS DENIED.
Your servants,
The Temple Council
ISKCON Chicago