Plan Commission [remote]
Chicago Plan Commission
Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023
10:00 a.m. — 2:00 p.m. CST
Chicago, IL 60602 (Directions)
This is a remote assignment. The listed meeting end time is an estimate based on the duration of past meetings of this type (usually 4-5 hours).
The agenda for this meeting can be found at this link: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dcd/supp_info/chicago_plan_commission/February_2023_Plan_Commission_Hearing.html. Note that the commission is scheduled to vote on whether to adopt We Will Chicago, a citywide plan that City Bureau wrote about in November.
Zoom and livestream links will be posted on the Plan Commission’s main webpage: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dcd/supp_info/chicago_plan_commission.html.
Never post a Zoom or videoconference link directly on social media, as this can lead to Zoombombing. Instead, you can direct people interested in viewing the meeting to the above link.
Check the source website for additional information
Reporting
Edited and summarized by the Chicago - IL Documenters Team
Stay tuned to this thread⬇️
08:17 AM Feb 16, 2023 CST
chicago.gov/city/en/depts/…
Public comment is underway.
The speaker describes the plan as a "list of grievances" rather than a plan.
Harris says that last plan excluded many communities.
"We [want] to see a stronger connection with the business community under the economic development pillar."
Steve Simmons, director of business and economic development at North Branch Works, speaks next.
Simmons asks that no residential buildings are built at this site "as they would introduce a conflicting use with industrial companies."
"...architecturally, especially with the base of this particular project, I do think it needs more work."
"We hope [the plan] will be a catalytic approach to creating vibrant neighborhoods, increasing productivity and access and finally bringing transportation equity in the far south side."
Adams adds that "there's so much potential for development [density and] vitality...and that's not being discussed..."
Next on the agenda - matters to be heard in accordance with the inter-agency planning referral act. This includes a disposition and a negotiated sale. The motion passes.
"Chicago has become more segregated by income. We've been losing middle class residents."
The planning process included neighborhood stakeholders, civic organizations, artists, community
partners and city agencies.
"This was followed by a period of broad engagement that lasted four and a half months," Dickhut said.
"The in person events were critical to our strategy of reaching Chicagoans from all parts of the city," Dickhut added.
The presentation moves to action planning. 2 documents outline the We Will process, objectives and goals based off feedback from community partners, volunteers and others.
"I think it's worth just explaining the difference between a framework plan and an action plan," Novara adds.
Reyes also echoes other commissioner's comments on potential effects on the private sector and other concerns.
"We'll be looking at this very issue of how we can make the plan development process more accessible to the average resident and to actually make it a little bit more consistent for developers..."
"...the framework process both simultaneously enabled a whole host of city departments and sub agencies to achieve their very unique goals in a way that is comprehensive."
"The systems that we're trying to address in these plans are extremely broken, and it's going to take a lot of work, a lot of consistency, and a lot of pushing the boundaries."
Commissioner Burnett speaks next.
"[These plans] really make people feel like something's going to happen."
"[Chicago needs] a mix of commercial and employment opportunities..."
"We have to keep in mind that this [plan] is a potential template that can be used nationally, where other cities are already looking for guidance on how to actually move their city plans forward..."
The motion passes.
Tyler Manic outlines new proposed uses for the development that will add to the area's economic development.
"[There's a] great deal of interest in in this neighborhood for medical dental type facilities... they're not exactly what we would all like to have in terms of street activity..."
A vote is for this agenda item is underway. The motion passes.
640 W. Randolph Street.
The request includes constructing a 15 story building at the site containing commercial uses and parking. The site is currently a private service parking lot.
"...the architecture of this building is of the contemporary loft vernacular, which is building off of very positive feedback garnered..."
"It promotes economical development patterns in the existing neighborhood through its improvement of an underutilized lot..."
The next agenda item is a proposed amendment to Institutional Planned Development No. 666, submitted by the Chicago Board of Education for the property at 5501 N. Kedzie Avenue.
Alderman Tunney asks specific questions about the proposed netting outlined in the request.
Proper netting ensures proper bird migration and more.
The next agenda item is a proposal for planned development, submitted by Fortem Voluntas Partners LLC, for the property at 415 N. Sangamon Street.
"Character buildings help reinforce and retain the existing character of the neighborhood, historical context and the feel of a specific community."
It promotes economical development in the neighborhood by improving an underutilized lot. It is also consistent with other plans adopted by the plan commission.
Commissioner Tunney questions if this proposal takes a holistic approach to building on the area.
Commissioner Burnett comments "We're going to encourage less parking. We need to encourage more transportation opportunity modes in this area."
The next item is a proposed zoning map amendment at 1308 North Elston Avenue in the Boystown area.
The amendment would permit commercial spaces including personal and medical ones.
The next item is a proposed planned development at 1016 W. Jackson Boulevard. The proposal requests to rezone the property to a Residential Business Planned Development.
This would permit the construction of a 28-story, 295-foot tall mixed use building.
The next item is a proposed amendment to Planned Development No. 1385 for a property on the West Side area.
The proposed amendment to the planned development would permit the use of medical services.
The final agenda item is a proposed amendment to Residential Business Planned Development for the property at 1200-1212 North State Parkway. The proposal seeks to permit the use of medical services.
The meeting nears its end with the chairman's report and an information presentation on the Red Line Extension (RLE) project - a 5.6-mile extension starting from the existing terminal at 95th/Dan Ryan and ending at 130th Street.
Thanks for following along! Respond to this thread with any comments and follow @CHIdocumenters for more.
Stay tuned to this thread⬇️
08:17 AM Feb 16, 2023 CST
chicago.gov/city/en/depts/…
Public comment is underway.
The speaker describes the plan as a "list of grievances" rather than a plan.
Harris says that last plan excluded many communities.
"We [want] to see a stronger connection with the business community under the economic development pillar."
Steve Simmons, director of business and economic development at North Branch Works, speaks next.
Simmons asks that no residential buildings are built at this site "as they would introduce a conflicting use with industrial companies."
"...architecturally, especially with the base of this particular project, I do think it needs more work."
"We hope [the plan] will be a catalytic approach to creating vibrant neighborhoods, increasing productivity and access and finally bringing transportation equity in the far south side."
Adams adds that "there's so much potential for development [density and] vitality...and that's not being discussed..."
Next on the agenda - matters to be heard in accordance with the inter-agency planning referral act. This includes a disposition and a negotiated sale. The motion passes.
"Chicago has become more segregated by income. We've been losing middle class residents."
The planning process included neighborhood stakeholders, civic organizations, artists, community
partners and city agencies.
"This was followed by a period of broad engagement that lasted four and a half months," Dickhut said.
"The in person events were critical to our strategy of reaching Chicagoans from all parts of the city," Dickhut added.
The presentation moves to action planning. 2 documents outline the We Will process, objectives and goals based off feedback from community partners, volunteers and others.
"I think it's worth just explaining the difference between a framework plan and an action plan," Novara adds.
Reyes also echoes other commissioner's comments on potential effects on the private sector and other concerns.
"We'll be looking at this very issue of how we can make the plan development process more accessible to the average resident and to actually make it a little bit more consistent for developers..."
"...the framework process both simultaneously enabled a whole host of city departments and sub agencies to achieve their very unique goals in a way that is comprehensive."
"The systems that we're trying to address in these plans are extremely broken, and it's going to take a lot of work, a lot of consistency, and a lot of pushing the boundaries."
Commissioner Burnett speaks next.
"[These plans] really make people feel like something's going to happen."
"[Chicago needs] a mix of commercial and employment opportunities..."
"We have to keep in mind that this [plan] is a potential template that can be used nationally, where other cities are already looking for guidance on how to actually move their city plans forward..."
The motion passes.
Tyler Manic outlines new proposed uses for the development that will add to the area's economic development.
"[There's a] great deal of interest in in this neighborhood for medical dental type facilities... they're not exactly what we would all like to have in terms of street activity..."
A vote is for this agenda item is underway. The motion passes.
640 W. Randolph Street.
The request includes constructing a 15 story building at the site containing commercial uses and parking. The site is currently a private service parking lot.
"...the architecture of this building is of the contemporary loft vernacular, which is building off of very positive feedback garnered..."
"It promotes economical development patterns in the existing neighborhood through its improvement of an underutilized lot..."
The next agenda item is a proposed amendment to Institutional Planned Development No. 666, submitted by the Chicago Board of Education for the property at 5501 N. Kedzie Avenue.
Alderman Tunney asks specific questions about the proposed netting outlined in the request.
Proper netting ensures proper bird migration and more.
The next agenda item is a proposal for planned development, submitted by Fortem Voluntas Partners LLC, for the property at 415 N. Sangamon Street.
"Character buildings help reinforce and retain the existing character of the neighborhood, historical context and the feel of a specific community."
It promotes economical development in the neighborhood by improving an underutilized lot. It is also consistent with other plans adopted by the plan commission.
Commissioner Tunney questions if this proposal takes a holistic approach to building on the area.
Commissioner Burnett comments "We're going to encourage less parking. We need to encourage more transportation opportunity modes in this area."
The next item is a proposed zoning map amendment at 1308 North Elston Avenue in the Boystown area.
The amendment would permit commercial spaces including personal and medical ones.
The next item is a proposed planned development at 1016 W. Jackson Boulevard. The proposal requests to rezone the property to a Residential Business Planned Development.
This would permit the construction of a 28-story, 295-foot tall mixed use building.
The next item is a proposed amendment to Planned Development No. 1385 for a property on the West Side area.
The proposed amendment to the planned development would permit the use of medical services.
The final agenda item is a proposed amendment to Residential Business Planned Development for the property at 1200-1212 North State Parkway. The proposal seeks to permit the use of medical services.
The meeting nears its end with the chairman's report and an information presentation on the Red Line Extension (RLE) project - a 5.6-mile extension starting from the existing terminal at 95th/Dan Ryan and ending at 130th Street.
Thanks for following along! Respond to this thread with any comments and follow @CHIdocumenters for more.
Agency Information
Chicago Plan Commission
The Chicago Plan Commission is responsible for the review of proposals that involve Planned Developments (PDs), the Lakefront Protection Ordinance, Planned Manufacturing Districts (PMDs), Industrial Corridors and Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Districts. It also reviews proposed sales and acquisitions of public land as well as certain long-range community plans.