[remote or in person] Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards

Chicago City Council

Development

Politics

Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024
10:00 a.m. — 1:00 p.m. CST

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121 N LaSalle St Chicago, IL 60602 (Directions)

Chicago City Hall, 2nd floor, Council Chambers

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Meeting details page: https://chicityclerkelms.chicago.gov/Meeting/?meetingId=4AE680CF-D7AF-EE11-A568-001DD8304C09
The committee is likely to discuss items in a different order than they are listed in the agenda (according to the associated lawyer). You can do a keyword search in the agenda (hit the “CTRL” and “F” keys at the same time to bring up a search bar) to find the item they’re talking about more quickly.
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Reporting

Edited and summarized by the Chicago - IL Documenters Team

Note-taking by Angela Ybarra

Alders approve multiple zoning ordinances

View notes

Live reporting by Lauren Sheperd

Alders approve multiple zoning ordinances

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd

Good morning, Chicago! Today, I'm live tweeting the committee meeting on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards starting at 10 a.m. for @city_bureau @CHIdocumenters. Here's the agenda:

chicago.documenters.org/documents/agen…

08:20 AM Jan 23, 2024 CST

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 2/83

The link for the meeting is LIVE, though we are still waiting for it to begin.

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 3/83

The meeting still has yet to begin.

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 4/83

No sign of the meeting starting on the live stream.

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 5/83

The meeting has officially been called to order. It is the first meeting of the year, so the chair is reading out the rules of conduct.

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 6/83

Ald. Harris will attend the meeting remotely. The committee has reached a quorum.

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 7/83

The report and minutes from the last meeting have been approved.

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 8/83

Multiple agenda items are being deferred to another meeting unanimously.

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 9/83

The 30 minute public comment period is beginning.

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 10/83

The first (and only) public commenter is speaking: he is claiming one of the Aldermen is turned around, talking to someone else, and distracting him.

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 11/83

The public commenter is continuously moving away from the microphone. However, he is expressing his frustrations of a lack of representation of the people by alderpeople.

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 12/83

Public comment is over. The first agenda item is up.

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 13/83

This agenda item comes straight from Mayor Johnson on changes in building codes for the entire city.

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 14/83

Some amendments:
-- clarifies provisions for contractors
-- clarifies exceptions to obtain licenses for non-building structures
-- new amendments to rules on casinos and secure zones in airports
-- and more

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 15/83

John DeMico (Plumber's Union): Stands by the amendments and claims no knowledge of opposition to the proposed amendments.

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 16/83

Ald. Moore (17): Is there anything in here (proposed amendments) that's controversial and should be of concern to committee members?

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 17/83

Ald. Moore is asking for clarification on some points. If there are new owners, specifically in high-rise building, they will need to add sprinklers for fire safety.

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 18/83

For new construction, there will need to be a general contractor.

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 19/83

Certain landscape elements (benches, rocks, etc.) didn't need a building permit as of 2019. This exception is to be put back in.

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 20/83

This ordinance will have less permit fees. However, the ordinance is revenue neutral for the city.

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 21/83

In the new code, Ballards will be included and businesses won't need permits. These help will pedestrian and building safety from cars.

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 22/83

However, on public infrastructure, this issue would go to CDOT.

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 23/83

The code is now updated for the addition of casinos into Chicago. This deals with floor area per person based on fire safety, exits and restroom requirements. This decreases capacity allowed at the casino.

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 24/83

Ald. Hopkins (2): questions on sprinkler requirements in high-rise residential buildings before 1975. These requirements will only change if a significant amount of rehab is happening to the building.

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 25/83

The motion has passed unanaimously.

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 26/83

Next agenda item: Amendment of Municipal Code Titles 2 and 4 regarding licensing of apprentice plumbers, plumbers, and plumbing contractors.

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 27/83

Fits in with the prior ordinance. No questions from Alderpeople.

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 28/83

The ordinance passes unanimously.

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 29/83

Next up: large signs. There will be 17 signs discussed across the city. The orders have passed unanimously.

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 30/83

Next item: Planned Development 882 to DC-16 Downtown Core District (Ward 34).

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 31/83

Patrick Murphy (Dept. of Planning): How to address reuse in regard to this building. Moving this planned development should address security concerns. Passed unanimously.

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 32/83

Next up: Planned Development 1302 to B3-5 Community Shopping District in Ward 43.

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 33/83

Ald. Knudsen is requesting a change to a shopping district. Originally, this lot was meant to be a hotel (2016) but this ordinance expired in 2021.

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 34/83

No questions from committee members. The motion passes.

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 35/83

Next up: To de-designate as a Pedestrian Street a segment of the North Milwaukee right of way from the centerline of North Gresham Avenue and North Drake Avenue on the southeast and the centerline of North Central Park Avenue on the northwest (35 Ward).

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 36/83

Ald. Ramirez-Rosa: A bank is seeking to re-establish operation (closed during COVID) and continue with the drive-thru ATM that is already there.

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 37/83

A Logan Square preservation organization is in favor. The item has passed.

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 38/83

Next up: To permit the construction of a 53 story building with 587 residential dwelling units and approximately 10,000 sq.ft. of retail commercial and amenity space at the ground floor. The total project FAR will be 8.1 and 440 accessory parking spaces will be provided (27).

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 39/83

This item has been passed by the Chicago Plan Commission.

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 40/83

Ald. Bernet is in support of the project saying community members have been involved in the discussion and there has been a community meeting.

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 41/83

This figure will include a huge amount of public open space -- close to 12,000 sq ft of open-to-sky area.

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 42/83

$4.2 million of the money from this project goes into the Neighborhood Opportunity Fund.
The item has passed.

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 43/83

Next up: DX-12, Downtown Mixed-Use District to DX-16, Downtown Mixed-Use District in order to allow the conversion of commercial space to residential.

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 44/83

This is in the 4th Ward. There is a letter of approval from Ald. Robinson. No changes are being made to the building aside from conversions from vacant commercial space to residential space.
This item has passed.

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 45/83

Next up: C1-1 Neighborhood Commercial District and C1-2 Neighborhood Commercial District to DX-7 Downtown Mixed Use District and then to a Residential Business Planned Development (Ward 27).

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 46/83

This is to allow for the construction of a hotel with approximately 143 keys, 219’6” feet in height, FAR of 11.5, with commercial and accessory uses.

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 47/83

All records from the previous meeting will be incorporated to add context for this meeting.

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 48/83

An extra $1 million will go to the Neighborhood Opportunity Fund and will create many construction jobs. It will be the first carbon neutral hotel project in the city, and has been thoroughly discussed with community members.

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 49/83

Here's some information on the Neighborhood Opportunity Fund (NOF):

neighborhoodopportunityfund.com/#/?address=und…

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 50/83

The motion has passed.

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 51/83

Next up: Planned Development 1320 to Planned Development 1320, as amended to add lodging as a permitted use and modify the open space site plan (Ward 34).

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 52/83

This matter was heard by the CPC, and the records of that meeting will be incorporated into this meeting.

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 53/83

Lodging: limited number of hotel rooms and short term rentals (less than 30 days)
Open space: green space, basketball court, etc.

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 54/83

Floors 5-8 would be used as hotel rooms. The typical uses are corporate and family travelers. For each hotel room created, one residential will be taken away. Nothing will be changing within the building. The number of affordable units will stay the same.

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 55/83

This agenda item has passed.

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 56/83

Next up: 3-2 Community Shopping District to B2-2 Neighborhood Mixed Use District to allow for the subdivision of one zoning lot into fourteen individual zoning lots in order to construct fourteen single family residential buildings (Ward 11).

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 57/83

There has been favorable response from community members in the ward and there is a letter of support from the alderwoman. This property has been vacant for a long time.

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 58/83

Item has passed.

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 59/83

Next up: RT4 Residential Two Flat, Townhouse and Multi Unit District to C1-2 Neighborhood Commercial District to establish a general restaurant (Ward 25).

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 60/83

The community and alderman support this change.

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 61/83

This motion has passed.

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 62/83

Next up: B3-2 Community Shopping District to B2-5 Neighborhood Mixed-Use District to onvert from 9 to 12 dwelling units by adding 3 new dwelling units (Ward 25).

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 63/83

Parking will be eliminated and replaced with bike parking. The lot is also very close to public transit. The Alderman supports this project.

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 64/83

The item has passed.

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 65/83

Next up: RT4 Residential Two Flat, Townhouse and Multi Unit District to POS-3 Open Space or Natural Area for community use.

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 66/83

The item has passed.

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 67/83

Next up: RT4 Residential Two Flat, Townhouse and Multi Unit District to RM5 Residential Multi-Unit District to construct a new 4 story residential building with 4 dwelling units, 4 bicycle spaces and 3 surface parking spaces (Ward 25).

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 68/83

These will be rental units. The item has passed.

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 69/83

Next up: RM4.5, Residential Multi-Unit District to RM6Residential Multi-Unit District to add four additional dwelling units for a total of eight dwelling units on the subject property (Ward 25).

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 70/83

The item has passed.

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 71/83

Next up: RS3 Residential Single Unit (Detached House) District to RT4 Residential Two Flat, Townhouse and Multi Unit District to convert the current two dwelling units to three dwelling units. There is aldermanic and community support.

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 72/83

This item is in the 29th Ward. The item has passed.

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 73/83

Next up: M1-1 Limited Manufacturing District to C1-1 Neighborhood Commercial District to open a family style general restaurant with live entertainment and liquor (Ward 37).

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 74/83

The item has passed.

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 75/83

Next up: C1-2 Neighborhood Commercial District to B2-3 Neighborhood Mixed-Use District to create a new 5 story mixed use building with ground floor commercial space and residential dwelling units above (Ward 40).

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 76/83

40 residential units and 19 parking units would be included in this property. The applicant already owns the immediate properties to the east and west. The property is very close to the Francisco Brown Line.

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 77/83

There is community and aldermanic support.

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 78/83

This item has passed.

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 79/83

Next up: RS-2 Residential Single Unit (Detached House) District to RT4 Residential Two Flat, Townhouse and Multi Unit District to create a two-story, two dwelling unit with basement and two car garage (Ward 20).

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 80/83

The developments will be two contemporary single family homes. These would be on the two remain vacant parcels on the block.

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 81/83

Another item is related and included: RS-2 Residential Single Unit (Detached House) District to RT4 Residential Two Flat, Townhouse and Multi Unit District to create two-story, two dwelling unit with basement and two car garage (Ward 20).

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 82/83

Both items have passed.

Lauren Sheperd @laurenbsheperd 83/83

The meeting has been adjourned.

View thread

Attachments

Zoning and Building Committee

By Angela Ybarra 1/23/2024

Meeting details

By India Daniels 1/23/2024

Agency Information

Chicago City Council

chicityclerkelms.chicago.gov

(312) 744-3166

@ChiCouncil

See Documenters reporting

The Chicago City Council is the legislative branch of the government of the City of Chicago and consists of the Mayor and Aldermen elected from each of the City’s fifty wards. Source

If you attend a meeting in person, be prepared to go through a security checkpoint and show photo ID.

Meetings are also livestreamed at https://www.chicityclerk.com/.

At this link, scroll down to “Meeting Notices.” Look for “Watch now” and click on the link with the meeting title to go to a livestream page. If you don’t see a link for the meeting, you may be early or the meeting may be starting late. Wait a few moments and try refreshing your Internet tab.

Recordings of past City Council meetings may be found here: https://vimeo.com/user100351763/videos/sort:date.

See also: “What to Expect at a Meeting of Chicago’s City Council” via the Better Government Association.