Urban Sprawl, Woodlawn Style

One of my neighbors received the following letter yesterday:

Re: XXXX East 65th Place
Chicago, IL

Dear Property Owner or Resident:

In accordance with the requirements of the Lake Michigan and Chicago Lakefront Protection Ordinance specifically Section 194B-6.1(C), please be informed that on or about June 30th, 2006, the undersigned will file an application to the Chicago Plan Commission under the Lake Michigan and Chicago Lakefront Protection Ordinance on behalf of XXXX East 65th Place, Inc. for the property located at XXXX East 65th Place, Chicago, Illinois.

The applicant plans to build a new four unit residential building on the subject property.

I am the attorney for the applicant and the contact person for this application. My address is XXXX West Washington Street, Chicago, IL and my telephone number is (XXX) XXX-XXXX.

Please note that the applicant is not seeking to affect or purchase your property. The applicant is required by law to send this notice because you own property within 250 feet of the subject property.

Sincerely,

XXXX

Naturally phone calls were placed and oddly enough the attorney declined to name the developer. I was told that he said that this person was a private developer with private monies seeking to build market rate housing on the lot.

I wonder what's up with the cloak and daggers?