Ganley v. City of Chicago

James Ganley, a real estate developer, applied to the Commissioner of Buildings of the City of Chicago for permits to construct three one-story, single-family residences at 6800, 6802 and 6804 North Olcott Avenue, Chicago. The permits were issued and Ganley immediately started excavating; he poured concrete foundations, put in sewers and did the back-filling for the buildings. On April 1, 1971, 3 weeks after permission to build was granted, the department of buildings revoked the permits and halted the construction. On July 13, 1971, the Chicago Park District designated the property as a park…