Here is some information about the Chicago Plan Commission, including the agenda and livestream for today's meeting:

Meeting is called to order at 10:08am on Thurs. June 20 by Chair Laura Flores. Roll call is held and quorum established. It's the first meeting for newly appointed members Kemena Brooks and Tania Kadakia.

First up is the deferral of the IDI Logisitcs facility at the Ogden Keeler complex in North Lawndale. There's been a lot of discussion about this in past meetings (see here for context: ) but today it is deferred without any comment.

The proposed rezoning for a planned residential-business development by LPC Chicago that would replace a vacant bank building in the second ward was also deferred without comment.

DPD and the development team is now sharing the plan for a multi-tower residential development at 700 W Chicago near the site of the future Bally's casino.

There are four public commenters, 3 in favor of the proposal, and one who says he is not in favor or against but asks the commission to make considerations for infrastructure to support all the development happening in this general area.

There is some discussion about transit access and congestion in the area given the amount of development, including discussion about the expansion of the Chicago Avenue bridge.

Commissioner Kadakia and La Spata make comments on need for better bird friendly infrastucture. Alderman Burnett supports the development, likes the affordable housing, the construction jobs, the green space, but urges a joint venture with a minority contractor. Motion passes.

Next up on the agenda is a re-zoning of a PMD-9 property in West Garfield Park to allow a training and control center for the CTA. The land is currently vacant and used as "outdoor storage." CTA plans for the facility to be operational "by 2027."

Alderwoman Mitts supports the development and the investment it brings to her ward. Commissioner Escareno supports the investment in the green line and cites the 325,000 visitors to Garfield Park Conservatory last year (which is served by the green line).

La Spata shares that a CTA employee returned a diaper bag he forgot on the bus to him, who he says represents not just exemplary CTA employee but exemplary Chicagoan. Commisioner Soto asks the team to consider lunch and physical activity options for employees. Motion passes.

Next up is the rezoning of a vacant site (former fast food drive-through) at 2321 S Michigan Ave in the 3rd ward, to support an 18 story building of 256 dwelling units with ground floor commercial space. Site is served by transit including red and green lines.

Commissioner Castañeda (DOH) says that this development is the first to use the connected communites ordinance to provide additional affordable housing. See more information on the ordinance below. Motion passes.

Next up is a proposed Dunkin' Donuts drive-through in the 4th ward. Alderman La Spata asks some questions about traffic congestion, curb cuts and bike lane access and is satisfied. Motion passes.

Next up is the rezoning of a vacant lot in West Pullman (21st ward) from PMD-10 to allow for a light industry facility with 2 tenant store fronts/entrances. No tenant yet. Alderman Mosley (21st ward) voices support, motion passes.

Next item is the proposed rezoning of an M2-3 light industry site to downtown mixed-use to allow for a planned residential tower with 559 dwelling units and ground floor retail, in the Near West Side (27th ward).

Flores and Escareno question the parking ratio of .45 which they feel is too high, and lack of green space. Dev team says they will try to be more creative about open space and parking, says every site is different. Ald. Burnett stepped out but supports the project. Motion passes

Next item is a proposal to amend a planned business district in Portage Park (30th ward) to allow for a cannabis dispensary. There is one resident who spoke in favor. Alderwoman Cruz (30th ward) is absent but a member of her staff speaks in support. Motion passes

Next item is a courtesy presentation of approved site plan for "the next phase of development" for the former CHA Lathrop Homes site. The first phase was completed in 2019 (see here: ) Commissioner Soto praises dev team for inclusion of minority contractors

Next item is a rezoning request for an M2-3 light industry site at 1840 N. Marcey Street to allow for two planned residential towers (195 feet and 275 feet tall), which have 600+ residential units and ground floor commercial, near future Lincoln Yards development (32nd ward)

Block Club wrote an article on the meeting developers had with the community last October:

There are quite a few speakers! Those against are worried about the height and density of these buildings in the "buffer zone" between Lincoln Park/Lincoln Yards. Those in favor support more housing to combat affordability crisis. Lot of talk about the width of the street.

It's worth noting Alderman Waguespack in whose ward this development is proposed, does not support it, and a standoff over Aldermanic perogative could be brewing in city hall, context here:

Much of the dissent is around congestion and traffic, but a representative from CDOT says a traffic study says the current network supports the development. There is no plan for a bus route on Clybourn.

An expert on the traffic study is speaking, he says the transit rich location will reduce the amount of traffic and the development will promote use of transit (i.e. widening of sidewalks). He says 21 foot width of Marcey is adequate for two way traffic w/o parking.

Commissioner Soto: "Density is not an issue, the width of the street is not an issue ... I want to thank the young people in this audience for coming here with facts ... not emotions." Says she has three kids and would've loved to walk to a day care in a transit rich community.

La Spata says he is voting no because this development is not "coherent, contextual, and equitable." Says he still supports density at this site and in Chicago generally, and is critical of aldermanic prerogative.

The motion passes, but the activity around this development is obviously not over.

Second to last item, a proposed resolution to adopt a Harlem Avenue Visioning study to set forth big-picture vision of potential future projects along Harlem Ave from Irving Park Road to Grand Ave in Dunning and Montclare (29th, 38th ward)

Positive comments all around from members of community and the commissioners, motion passes.

Last item for the day, a presentation on future land uses for the general area within a quarter mile of the proposed 1.7 mile Englewood nature trail, which has been posted and is available for public comment. Info and instructions to comment here:

Nothing to approve there today for the commission, meeting adjourned at 4:57 p.m. This concludes the June meeting of the Chicago Plan Commission. The next meeting is scheduled for July 18, 2024. For more meeting coverage, check out