'Big Blue' Burling Windmill Likely Moving Permanently

A towering, bright blue windmill will likely no longer cast a shadow along Burling Street in Lincoln Park. 

Local 43rd Ward Ald. Michele Smith recently wrote a letter to neighbors of 1970 N. Burling St. who were concerned about the "impact of the statue on the character of the neighborhood", saying the owner has agreed to move it permanently.

The structure—coined "Chevron"—stands at about 40 feet tall and is stationed inside an 8-foot fence on the front lawn of a property owned by John Novak, property records show. 

Novak also owns a construction business, according to Crain's Chicago Business.

" … Novak, whose Novak Construction Co. has made headlines for its commercial and big-box work (including Target stores), apparently likes things big," the story says.

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The windmill juts out over sidewalks around Novak's property. It was erected two years ago and according to Crain's, was designed by famed artist John Henry. 

"We call it 'big blue'," Lynn McClure, 49, said earlier this week while walking her shepherd-mix, Luna. "I'm not a direct neighbor, but I walk by it a lot. I use it as a landmark while giving people directions in the neighborhood. I mean, really, how could you miss it?"

Smith has been corresponding with the city's Department of Buildings office and corporate counsel to field neighbors' concerns, she said. 

" … The city determined that the homeowner never received the proper building permits to install the piece in its current location on the Burling side of the home, and failed to obtain approval to allow the structure to hang over the public right of way," she said. "In addition, the homeowner constructed an 8-foot tall fence/wall along Burling Street that exceeds the permitted height for such a structure under the Chicago Zoning Ordinance."

Novak was presented the option of lowering his fence in compliance with the code and applying for the proper permits to move the statue more on the Armitage side of his yard, Smith noted. It was reportedly his initial plan to do so.

"However, in response to your concerns, I continued to look for a solution that would move the statue permanently," she wrote to neighbors. "As a result, we have negotiated a compromise that will require him to move his statue to another site in the city."

Novak is likely placing his sculpture on the satellite campus of Northeastern Illinois University, Smith said. He would then need to obtain a zoning variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals to keep his fence.

"In exchange for my support, the homeowner will remove the statue within seven days upon receipt of building permits to keep the fence/wall," Smith said.

Residents living within 250 feet of the sculpture will receive notices regarding the status of the zoning ordinance.

"In the event the zoning variance is not granted, the homeowner will have to go with his original plan of reconstructing the fence to meet the zoning ordinance and (moving) the statue to his yard along Armitage," Smith said.

Novak reportedly told Crain's he's disappointed that Smith was badgered by "controlling" neighbors.

"A generation ago, these would have been the same people burning books," he said, according to the story, later noting that he doesn't get mad over such issues "ever since I took anger management classes."

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