GROWING COMMUNITY WEDNESDAY JOURNAL, INC.
ForestParkReview.com ForestParkReview.com Vol. 103, No. x32
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F O R E S T PA R K
REVIEW AUGUST 5, 2020
Local impact of coin shortage PAGE4
TikTok success for student PAGE 9
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Despite neighbor opposition, Franklin Street townhomes pass Plan Commission
Project meets all zoning regulations, but ‘harmony’ and ‘compatibility’ questioned By MARIA MAHAM Architect John Schiess threw a curveball at the Plan Commission meeting on Aug. 3, amending submitted documents to lop nearly 14 feet off the proposed townhomes at 7428 Franklin St. The original height of three planned townhomes was 49 feet and 6 inches, well under the allowable 60 feet in the R3 district. The amended height will be only 36 feet. Schiess said the new plan, with a flat rather than peaked roof, will more closely resemble the project at 233 Desplaines Ave., a project by the same developer, and is an effort to satisfy neighbors including Thomas Kovac, who owns a single-family home directly west of the proposed townhomes and who is staunchly opposed to the project. The site plan, with the amended building height, garnered unanimous Plan Commission approval from the three members present: Chair Paul Barbahen and board members Marcia East and Diane Brown. It will go to the village council for approval. In the days leading up to the meeting, Kovac, who is See TOWNHOMES on page 8
Alex Rogals, Staff Photographer
FASHION-FORWARD
Editor
Models from Taj B Couture’s fashion show graced Madison Street on July 31 during owner and designer Latrina Brown’s fashion show “Journey.”
Design ‘journey’ highlighted for fashion show Local designer participates in London Fashion Week By MARIA MAXHAM Editor
Models of all shapes and sizes, wearing masks and high-end fashion, strode out from Taj B Couture onto Madison
IN Crime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 THIS Big Week . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 ISSUE Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Street on July 31. But the models and styles will go far beyond Forest Park; the fashion show was recorded and will be part of London Fashion Week in September. Titled “Journey,” the show featured a collection created by Latrina Brown, owner of Taj B Couture at 7516 Madison St. Brown said the styles and creations represent her journey since opening the shop in November, a combination of silver linings and timing that parallel the subsequent and quick changes world-
District 209 opts for remote learning PAGE 7
wide due to COVID-19. It’s not the first time Brown’s designs have been represented in London Fashion Week. In February 2019 she participated in the renowned show and was invited back again to take part this year. Then what seemed like the worst thing ever happened at the airport on her way to London when she realized she’d lost her passport. “I cried all night,” said Brown. Two See FASHION SHOW on page 11
Mural needs new home PAGE 12
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