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
@CHIdocumenters
10:06 AM May 21, 2024 CDT
The agenda can be found here:
The meeting can be live-streamed here:
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chicityclerk.com/committee-zoni…
The meeting can be live-streamed here:
A number of items are deferred. The public comment section allots 3 minutes each to 9 speakers.
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."
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.
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.
Simon is fourth to speak, they give their opinion on when businesses should close in their neighborhood.
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.
Michelle the sixth speaker, says the residents around a proposed re-zoning project have voted against it.
The seventh speaker is advocating for the preservation of the limestone in buildings across from Wrigley Field.
John is up next, as a part of Neighbors of River West. They say there is opposition to build affordable housing in their neighborhood.
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.
The appointments of Tania J. Kadakia, Adrian Soto, and Kemena Brooks are approved.
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.
2 S Halsted St. The motion to approve is passed.
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.
A number of large signs over 100 ft. in area are approved by the Committee.
Map amendments submitted by Ald. Ramirez-Rosa and Ald. La Spata are approved.
There is discussion on parking near a proposed 1500 seat project. The motion to approve passes.
A proposal related to a partnership between COA and Black contractors is approved.
There is discussion on approving cannabis dispensaries for new zoning. The Committee approves the proposal.
2 previously deferred MLA amendments are extensively discussed, especially the differences between the ordinances from Alders Riley and Robinson.
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.
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.
The ordinance by Ald. Riley passes. There is a brief, 5-minute recess.
The remaining map amendments are approved, and the meeting is adjourned at 2:39pm.