Historical Society Sued for Blocking Home Sale

(2 posts)

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ChrisHajer
Member

http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/1710183,CST-NWS-historic11.article

...the neighborhood preservationists are being sued. Property owner Brigitta Riedel says she lost out on more than $1 million when the sale went south and is suing to the historical society and four of its board members, accusing them of carrying off a "calculated, sophisticated attack" to kill the sale.

The board members say the suit could hurt community activism -- and, if they're ordered to pay damages, perhaps cost them their own homes.

Posted Tuesday Aug 11, 2009 14:04 #
Catherine
Member

The Chicago Landmarks Commission is an infamous tool of the Planning Dept. I think one guy actually serves on both. They won't even landmark the Chicago Daily News Building, the Art Deco masterpiece on the Chicago River, old entrance to Northwestern Station. Its owner, the ugh Sam Zell, actually wanted to put an office tower on its plaza facing the river and Opera House.

I recall a case where some developers tried to sue a citizen's group and found there was a freedom of speech exemption. I'll have to look that up. Tough problem on both sides. So many ugly condos went up in the city, and that would likely have been a failed development; so many are sitting empty. A lesson on the virtues of umbrella liability insurance policies.

Posted Wednesday Aug 12, 2009 09:40 #

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