Return to Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards
Live reporting by William Garcia
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Proposed McKinley Park affordable housing neighbors MAT Asphalt plant, The Forum renovations

Bill Garcia @BillGDocumenter
Hi, I'll be live-tweeting this morning's Chicago City Council Committee on Zoning, Landmarks, and Building Standards meeting for @CHIdocumenters #CHIdocumenters

09:32 AM May 25, 2021 CDT

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Today's committee meeting will begin at 10:00am. Tune in here: livestream.com/accounts/28669…
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Chairman Tunney calls the meeting to order at 10:05am.

Roll is called, establishing a quorum.
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Rule 45 report is approved.
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List of deferred items is approved without further discussion.
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Public comment period:

1. Not present.
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2. Marilyn May representing the Black Heroes Matter Coalition asks the committee to approve the proposal renaming outer LSD to Du Sable Drive. This item will be voted on tomorrow during City Council meeting.
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3. The owner of 1336 N Claremont (constructed in 1887) says he bought property in 1983, moved in 1984. He describes the history of living in and owning the building. He speaks out against allowing more apartments to be added to the building, saying "less is better."
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Speaker #1 is still not here. Public comment period has ended.
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We are watching a presentation regarding the proposed (supported by Ald Scott) landmark status for the Pentecostal Church of Holiness, located in North Lawndale. https://t.co/HoNNWT9QXA
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Pastor Henry Johnson of Pentecostal Church of Holiness is present and speaks in support of the landmark status. Johnson says he wants to dispel the negative myths about North Lawndale, saying there is much beauty in the community.
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Pastor Johnson says he wants to preserve history and prove to North Lawndale that they are vested in the community.
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The committee approves the motion to grant landmark status to Pentecostal Church of Holiness. This item will next be voted on during full City Council meeting tomorrow.
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The committee is now going through each non-deferred ordinance/change request.
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We are watching a presentation regarding a project situated near 63rd and Halsted https://t.co/G5PX7KogIU
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NO. A-8617 will be deferred, because proper notice was not delivered in time to affected property owners.
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The committee is discussing NO. A-8635. This property has remained vacant without development, hence the zoning change proposal. This item passes.
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Tom Moore is discussing the property (a former used car lot) in NO. 20667. This property was previously downzoned due to lack of development. The proposed rezoning would allow the construction of a proposed 5-story, mixed-use building with 38 dwellings and ground floor stores.
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NO. 20667 passes as amended to type 1.
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Ald La Spata says the proposed building at 1317-35 N. Western Avenue will include 2-3 bedroom units. La Spata says the building will meet affordable housing standards.
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Motion for 1317-35 N. Western Avenue passes.
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Tom Moore is discussing the proposal for 1118 North Pulaski Road. This property was considered by the City to be Residential Single-Unit. However, its constructed suggested it was a two-flat -- hence the zone change request. This request passes.
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O2021-638 passes without debate.
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The committee is hearing the proposal for 3595-99 South Archer Ave to build a 4-story mixed-use
building with 2 live-work units and 1 commercial unit on the ground floor. This proposal is reportedly supported by Ald Cardenas. Item O2021-1525 passes.
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Ald Cardenas joins and voices his support for O2021-1525.
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We are hearing the proposal for 2502 S Christiana Ave, a vacant lot adjacent to La Catedral restaurant. This rezoning will allow La Catedral to add a patio. Ald Cardenas supports this proposal and invites committee members to come have chilaquiles at La Catedral.

Item passes.
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Next, proposal for 5642 N Ashland Ave that is supported by Ald Vasquez.

O2021-1528 passes.
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Now, proposal for 3330-3356 W 51st St. This space is currently vacant. The owner would like to utilize the space for outdoor motor vehicle auto sales, outdoor storage, and parking. Ald Burke endorses the change.

Motion passes.
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Next, proposal for 1645 N Wells, which is being redeveloped by 2020 Wells Street LLC. 2020 Wells wants to add two additional residential units (12 to 14 units). No parking will be added. https://t.co/a4rbgsnY6F
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Ald Hopkins voices his support for the zoning change to 1645 N Wells. Hopkins called 1600 N Wells one of the most important blocks in Old Town.
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Committee passes proposal for 1645 N Wells.
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Next, proposal for 2229 N Clybourn Ave to permit the conversion of the existing grade-level retail unit onsite into one additional dwelling unit. This is supported by Ald Hopkins, who noted that typically these sorts of changes (retail to dwelling) typically are not easily passed
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Zoning change for 2229 N Clybourn Ave passes.
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Next, proposal for 5434 S Dearborn St, currently vacant. The owner proposes construction of new three-story (two dwellings) building. This is supported by Ald Dowell.

Item passes.
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Next, proposal for 2424 W Byron St. The applicant is seeking to permit a new two-and-a-half-story,
single-family residence at the subject property. Project supported by alderman.

Item passes.
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Now, proposal for 2636 W Adams St, currently vacant. Applicants seek to build a three-story (three dwellings) building. Ald Burnett supports the required zoning change.

Item passes.
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Next, proposal for 318-328 E 43rd St, site of (the historic) The Forum. The rezoning is required for the planned $20 million rehabilitation, planned for completin in 2023. https://t.co/ezARDtDCfu
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The rezoning is supported by Ald Dowell.

Item passes.
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Next, proposal for 3212-3228 S Shields Ave and 3213-3229 S Stewart Ave. Proposed is a 14-unit townhouse development.

Item passes.
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Ald Dowell has joined the call to voice her support for the zoning change at The Forum.
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Now, proposal for 1721 W 21st St. The owner seeks to renovate the property to allow construction of a 7-dwelling unit building and 3 parking spaces. Ald Sigcho-Lopez supports the zoning change.

Item passes.
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One can view each rezoning proposal and supporting documentation here: chicago.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.…
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Now, proposal for 1827 S May St to allow for the conversion of the existing 6 dwelling units to 8 dwelling
units by adding one dwelling unit in the basement and one dwelling unit in the attic within the existing residential building. Ald Sigcho-Lopez supports the rezoning.
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Rezoning for 1827 S May St passes.
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Next, rezoning for 4415-4425 W School St to allow adding two dwelling units to the ground floor of an existing six dwelling unit building. Ald Reboyras says he is in full support of the rezoning.

Item passes.
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Next, rezoning for 952 West Lake Street/209 North Morgan Street to convert the office use on upper floors to residential use and to create nine residential dwelling units with ground floor retail to remain. Ald Burnett offers his support. Bar Takito is on the ground floor.
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Rezoning for 952 West Lake Street/209 North Morgan Street passes.
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Now, rezoning for 1319-1325 S Ashland Ave/1542-1554 W Hastings Ave, currently vacant. The applicant proposes to construct a new 43k sq ft, five-story building with commercial space, including office and retail, an outdoor rooftop garden, and parking for 4 cars & 7 bikes.
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Ald Ervin supports the rezoning and project for 1319-1325 S Ashland Ave/1542-1554 W Hastings Ave.

Item passes.
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Next, rezoning for 731-799 S Washtenaw Ave and 2609-2659 W Harrison St. Chicago Hope Academy and Chicago Lyons seek to construct an interactive school campus, which will include a private high school, two
community athletic fields, and indoor/outdoor athletic facilities. https://t.co/snbtcveFfF
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Ald Burnett and Ald Ervin voice their support for the rezoning and redevelopment for 731-799 S Washtenaw Ave and 2609-2659 W Harrison St.

This item passes.
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Next, rezoning for 4730 W Grace St. Ald Reboyras asks to defer this item, as the community has requested a public meeting on this matter.

This item is deferred.
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Now, rezoning for 1952 N Bissell St. The applicant seeks to construct a front and third floor addition to the existing building. The change is supported by Ald Smith.

Item passes.
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Next, technical amendment for 210 S Canal St, 307-309 S Clinton St, and 310 S Canal St. Amtrak is the applicant. Changed would be PD Statement No 16 to allow for a minor change resulting in a transfer of FAR Building Area. Ald Reilly supports.

Item passes.
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Next, rezoning for 1415 W Morse Ave. The applicant seeks to construct a rear addition with sixteen residential dwelling units. Attorney Rolando Acosta says community is in support. Ald Hadden voices her support for this project.

Item passes.
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Next, proposal for 2227 N Clybourn Ave, which passes with a substitute narrative and plans.
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Item for 1649-1659 W Wolfram St/2815-2825 N Paulina St is deferred.
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Now, rezoning for 2139 and 2159 W Pershing Rd to permit the redevelopment of 2139 W Pershing as a mixed-use building with 39 dwelling units and commercial/office space and 2159 W Pershing with 125 dwelling units https://t.co/esWhVNpxku
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Ald Cardenas speaks in favor of the rezoning and redevelopment of 2139 and 2159 W Pershing Rd.
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Ald Hadden voices concerns over this project, stating that there is an active asphalt plant within 600 ft of the site.
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In response to Ald Hadden, Steve Friedland says there has been a study done by the City saying that the asphalt plant is sufficiently distanced from the site to minimize environmental impact.
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Ald Burnett has says he has known multiple people who have lived in proximity to an asphalt plant without complaint. Burnett has been in support of this Pershing project.
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Hadden has moved to defer the Pershing rezoning item, pending further study.

Motion fails (9 No / 4 Yes)
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Motion to adopt plan commission's recommendations for Pershing project passes (11 Yes / 3 No)
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Next, rezoning for 159-185 N Green St, 801-825 W Lake St, and 162-184 N Halsted St for proposed 7 story office building with retail on the ground floor and office space on the upper floors and an interim use of an outdoor patio for the existing restaurant.
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Item passes.
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Now, rezoning for 142-172 W Chicago Ave/800-934 N LaSalle St/152-314 W Walton St/801-921 and 828-950 N Wells St/201-315 and 230-314 W Oak St/859-1037 and 930-1036 N Franklin St/210-232 W Chestnut St/200-210 W Institute Pl. We are watching a presentation on this development. https://t.co/p3d592o3bc
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Item passes.
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Now, rezoning for 640 W Washington Blvd. We are watching a presentation regarding the redevelopment.

Item passes. https://t.co/ZvA4sU7mCz
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The meeting adjourns at 2:21pm.
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This concludes my coverage for @CHIdocumenters. #CHIDocumenters

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