We are seeking support against the construction of a Raising Canes with a dual drive thru on the corner of Western & Belmont. Here are just a few reasons why this establishment being built will negatively impact the neighborhood. - Our main concern is traffic, cyclist and pedestrian safety. Belmont and Western have historically been arterial streets of Chicago individually, their intersection even more so. We view this particular issue to be multifaceted. Since recent modifications to bike lanes and bus lanes, along with the addition of DePaul College Prep, this is a heavily congested area, specifically during meal times, where students from DePaul as well as Lane Tech leave the properties for lunch, and rush hour, as it falls in the middle of the dinner hour. Adding a drive-thru restaurant at this location would further exacerbate our already very congested conditions. Furthermore, due to this congestion, there's already a higher prevalence of vehicles trying to avoid the Belmont and Western intersection by turning south on Campbell from Belmont, and then racing down Fletcher to Western as though it's a main thoroughfare, completely ignoring the speed hump with little regard for the residents and children on the block. Further congestion immediately adjacent to our homes will only lead to an increase in this phenomenon and further endanger the many young children living on the block, as well as students on their way to local schools.
- Along West Fletcher and Belmont, there are more than 20 children under the age of 10. Not only is traffic a great risk to young children, but the alleyways in the area have already been notoriously infested with rats. The addition of a fast food restaurant would only increase the infestation, and put young children further at risk. Further congestion in the area will force traffic onto smaller side streets in the area with similar makeup. Melrose. Barry. School. Leavitt. Campbell. All teaming with children.
- There is a Raising Cane's less than 2 miles away from the proposed location. Raising Cane's is a national corporation, meaning this will not be a locally owned franchise. A development like this further cedes valuable land to a national corporation that doesn't seek to enrich the neighborhood but rather extract profit from it while paying community members minimum wage. A new fast-food restaurant, especially a large chain, can overshadow local eateries. This competition can be detrimental to small, local businesses that contribute to the community's unique character and economy.
- Following the character and spirit of the North Center / Roscoe Village neighborhoods, we feel that the introduction of such a late night (330 am proposed closing time) fast food restaurant with a drive thru would fundamentally alter the local landscape. The local aesthetic, impact on the environment, health of local residents, and even the added noise pollution are all of concern to those of us that will have this in our backyards day in and day out. Culture matters. Health matters. A Raising Cane's drive thru contributes only to the detriment in all categories.
Please enter your information below to sign our petition against building a Raising Canes on the corner of Belmont & Western. If you have any questions or additional comments on how this negatively impacts you please contact westroscoevillage@gmail.com.
Please note, information collected will be used to contact signatories to provide updates to the evolving situation related to this development alone. Broad number based data (lacking any personal details) may be shared with various media and community organizations to further support. After a decision is reached by the ZBA, no further contact will be made. Minimal details will be provided to the ZBA alone to allow them to vet the validity of the petition, only if required.
