To: Zoning Board of Appeals

Re: 808 Linden – Saint Francis Xavier School Addition

Dear Chairperson Urban and Members of the Zoning Board of Appeals,

I am a Wilmette resident at [fill in address] and I am writing to express my concerns about the proposed Saint Francis Xavier school addition and associated alley vacation. I am specifically concerned about the impact the project will have on the safety, neighborhood character and resident property value.

[Insert a personal message to demonstrate the specific impact the project will have on your family and/or property. Examples include:

-          I am concerned with a lack of consideration for the safety of our children who use 9th street to walk to and from school. Crossing guards are specifically placed at two intersections along 9th street and students are encouraged to use that path. The traffic plan specifically increases traffic into and out of the school parking lot on 9th Street along this route making it less safe for kids walking and biking to school. This does not meet the requirements of Article 30-5.2 or 30-12 of the Wilmette Code.

-          The plan relocates parking to the perimeter of the school’s property making parking lots more visible to both the street and homes along 9th Street, Greenleaf Avenue, and Linden Avenue. By replacing 100 year old buildings with a parking lot, my property value will be negatively impacted and/or the character of our historic neighborhood will be replaced by a parking lot larger than that of the nearest commercial center. This does not meet the approval requirements of Article 30-5.3(e)1(B) or 30-12 of the Wilmette Code.

-          The Village of Wilmette is setting a precedent for the sale of public land by vacating the alley to a private entity. This precedent is being set with a lack of Village wide awareness and support of such an action.  This does not meet the approval requirements of Article 30-5.3(e)1(C)&(D)&(E) of the Wilmette Code.

-          I am concerned about the impact replacing two historically and architecturally significant buildings with a new structure will have on the current and future character of the East Wilmette community and surrounding property values. The proposed building does not fit with the character of the surrounding dwellings and the placement in the middle of the land is misaligned with its location amidst a residential neighborhood. This does not meet the approval requirements of Article 30-5.3(e)1(H)&(I) of the Wilmette Code.

I oppose the current plan presented by SFX and request SFX provide an alternative plan which addresses the above concerns. I request the Wilmette Zoning Board of Appeals move to deny this application and encourage SFX to revise their proposal to better meet the approval criteria.

I appreciate your consideration and am hopeful for the Village’s support in preserving the safety and character of our East Wilmette community.

 

Sincerely,

<Full Name>

<Wilmette Address>