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

Chicago City Council

Development

Politics

Tuesday, May 21, 2024
10:00 a.m. — 12:30 p.m. CDT

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121 N LaSalle St Chicago, IL 60602 (Directions)

City Hall

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Reporting

Edited and summarized by the Chicago - IL Documenters Team

Note-taking by Naeemah Legair

The Zoning Committee approved the appointment of Adrian Soto to the Chicago Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA). The committee also approved the appointments of Kemena Brooks and Tania J. Kadakia to the Chicago Plan Commission.

View notes

Live reporting by Briana Madden

Bri Madden @bri_madden_

Hello Chicago! Next, I’ll be live-tweeting today’s Meeting of the Chicago City Council Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards for #CHIdocumenters
@CHIdocumenters

10:06 AM May 21, 2024 CDT

Bri Madden @bri_madden_ 2/27

The agenda can be found here:
The meeting can be live-streamed here:

…storagev1.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/meetingattachm… chicityclerk.com/committee-zoni…

Bri Madden @bri_madden_ 3/27

The meeting is called to order at 10:16am. There is a quorum present.

Bri Madden @bri_madden_ 4/27

A number of items are deferred. The public comment section allots 3 minutes each to 9 speakers.

Bri Madden @bri_madden_ 5/27

The first speaker is George Blakemore, a regular public commenter. Blakemore says this system is not working. "It's... all a dog and pony show."

Bri Madden @bri_madden_ 6/27

Hughes is the second speaker. They say Black contractors are only receiving 3% of the work in the city, and call for an investigation into the head of the department responsible for procurement.

Bri Madden @bri_madden_ 7/27

The third speaker says the city illegally demolished their building and they have yet to be compensated. "Only in the Black community," does the city get away with this, they say.

Bri Madden @bri_madden_ 8/27

Simon is fourth to speak, they give their opinion on when businesses should close in their neighborhood.

Bri Madden @bri_madden_ 9/27

The fifth speaker is contesting the building of property next to their home, because it would put it out of compliance with natural light code standards.

Bri Madden @bri_madden_ 10/27

Michelle the sixth speaker, says the residents around a proposed re-zoning project have voted against it.

Bri Madden @bri_madden_ 11/27

The seventh speaker is advocating for the preservation of the limestone in buildings across from Wrigley Field.

Bri Madden @bri_madden_ 12/27

John is up next, as a part of Neighbors of River West. They say there is opposition to build affordable housing in their neighborhood.

Bri Madden @bri_madden_ 13/27

The final speaker is in support of the MLA reduction program. They say we should look into converting vacant office buildings, since there is a shortage of cranes building new buildings.

Bri Madden @bri_madden_ 14/27

The appointments of Tania J. Kadakia, Adrian Soto, and Kemena Brooks are approved.

Bri Madden @bri_madden_ 15/27

There is a presentation on the Adopt-a-Landmark grant funding agreement with ECG Madison LLC for preservation project at 801 W Madison St/
2 S Halsted St. The motion to approve is passed.

Bri Madden @bri_madden_ 16/27

Another presentation for landmark designation is for a building in Ald. Riley's ward. The Alderperson speaks in support of the designation. The motion to approve is passed.

Bri Madden @bri_madden_ 17/27

A number of large signs over 100 ft. in area are approved by the Committee.

Bri Madden @bri_madden_ 18/27

Map amendments submitted by Ald. Ramirez-Rosa and Ald. La Spata are approved.

Bri Madden @bri_madden_ 19/27

There is discussion on parking near a proposed 1500 seat project. The motion to approve passes.

Bri Madden @bri_madden_ 20/27

A proposal by 400 N Elizabeth Property LLC is passed.

Bri Madden @bri_madden_ 21/27

A proposal related to a partnership between COA and Black contractors is approved.

Bri Madden @bri_madden_ 22/27

There is discussion on approving cannabis dispensaries for new zoning. The Committee approves the proposal.

Bri Madden @bri_madden_ 23/27

2 previously deferred MLA amendments are extensively discussed, especially the differences between the ordinances from Alders Riley and Robinson.

Bri Madden @bri_madden_ 24/27

The major choice is between an ordinance that would incentive renovating vacant buildings and an ordinance that would encourage new developments, especially in the downtown area.

Bri Madden @bri_madden_ 25/27

There are a lot of comments from committee members on how vacant the downtown business district is, and how to support its reinvigoration. Ald. Ramirez-Rosa also brought up the housing crisis, and its role in the discussion.

Bri Madden @bri_madden_ 26/27

The ordinance by Ald. Riley passes. There is a brief, 5-minute recess.

Bri Madden @bri_madden_ 27/27

The remaining map amendments are approved, and the meeting is adjourned at 2:39pm.

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Attachments

Meeting Summary 5/21/2024

By Naeemah Legair 5/21/2024

Meeting details

By India Daniels 5/21/2024

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.