Testing one, two.
Good morning. It is 10 14
on October 8th.
In this meeting of the Chicago City Council Committee on
Zoning, landmark, and Building standards is called to order.
I want to start by expressing my deepest gratitudes
to all of you for your support
and for placing your trust in me to serve as the Chairman
of zoning of the zoning committee.
It is truly an honor,
and I am humbled by the confidence you've
shown in my leadership.
I also would like to thank the Mayor, mayor Brandon Johnson,
for his continued support
and for providing me with this opportunity to contribute
to the future development
of our great city in such a meaningful way.
I'd be remiss if I did not acknowledge
and thank, um, alderman Bennett.
Uh, let's give him a round of applause
for the great work done.
And also, um, I'm honored to follow in the footsteps
of another great alderman Alderman.
Uh, Tony, who was also the Vice mayor also.
So I'm not the first vice mayor
who was the zoning committee chair.
Also Tony was the vice mayor
and the zoning committee chair also.
So, so I'm happy to follow in his footsteps.
And, uh, I pray that we, uh, make everyone proud
and help to get projects done in the city of Chicago.
So, thank you all. So, uh, that being said,
we will start off with the roll call
Alderman Spotter, alderman Hopkins,
alderman Dow, alderman Hall,
alderman Harris, alderman
Bill Alderman Ramirez.
Alderman Moore, alderman Mosley,
alderman Ciel Lopez, alderman Es,
alderman Cruz, alderman Conway,
alderman Ramirez, Rosa Alderman Viegas,
alderman Riley, alderman Knutson,
alderman Clay, vice Chair Lawson.
And, uh, chairman Burnett is here.
But we also have, uh, our president Pro Tem is here, uh,
alderman Nugent, who also can be counted as part of the quo.
Um, um, thank you committee members.
We have a Quon Alderman Ramirez, Rosa,
alderman Harris, alderman Es
and Alderman Clay have requested to attend this meeting
by remote means under the provisions of Rule 59.
Due to unrelated circumstances.
Alder al Alderman Lawson makes a motion
to approve the alders request.
All, all those in favor, uh, say aye.
All those opposed the ayes have it
and the opinion of the charity.
Ayes have it. Welcome, alders.
At this time, we will begin the public comment period.
The public comment period will be limited to 30 minutes out
of respect for everyone's time.
Each speaker is limited to three minutes. We have
Three, Seven.
We have seven, seven public speakers signed up
for today's hearing, and we will hear from them.
Now, uh, first speaker is Jessica, Ms. Jessica Jackson.
You may, you may proceed, maam.
Okay, good morning. Good morning.
And, uh, it is good to see that you're seated there.
So now maybe, you know, I can have your attention instead
of you walking around like you usually do.
Okay. So since this is on committee on zoning landmarks
and building standards,
and I know that you've heard me talk about the issue
of black people's property being stolen by Cook County
and the city of Chicago.
Now, my building that I'm talking about is a
red brick building on the south side of Chicago.
And most of these buildings are at
least a hundred years old.
So as far as I'm concerned,
they should be considered landmarks instead of
property grabs For these real estate investors
that's coming in there
and grabbing up the property, you all want
to preserve other properties in the city.
Why not use money and preserve those properties?
How is it that those properties are not a priority?
Now, I would appreciate it if you would take the time
to listen to what my case is about
what Zoe's mother's case is about,
because you did waltz into the meeting that I was having
with Stephanie Coleman, Greg Mitchell, Tyler Farrell,
Emma Mi and Monique Scott that day.
And you sat down all of maybe two minutes,
probably long enough to go back
and report to Mayor Johnson who was in there instead
of finding out what the issues were.
Because at the end of the day,
supposedly you are the assistant mayor,
vice mayor, or something like that.
So you would think that you will show some level of concern.
You and Matt Matthews Martin, who's supposed
to be a civil rights attorney.
Yeah, look at the clock. I'm looking at it too.
I know you wish my time would run out
because you in front of your political
and, uh, uh, contractor, buddies in here.
But they need to know that you break your neck
to get money for all over the city, to make this city
with a bunch of high rises.
That's ultimately gonna look like a bunch of projects
around the city and exercise no care at all
for black people's property that belongs to them.
You or the civil rights attorney that's sitting right here
watching our rights be violated
and show absolutely no concern for it.
So with the few minutes, sec seconds left for me, instead
of you looking at the clock, maybe you are ponder in
that brain of yours, the importance of
what your seat is supposed to be,
and stop trying to impress a bunch of people who don't care.
Dly squat about who you are.
Thank you, Ms. Jackson. Um,
so now we will have Ms.
Zoe Lee, uh, come up, please.
Next Monday, we'll make a year, um,
actually not even a year, it'll make five years
that the, the law department, the city of Chicago,
reached out to my mother to give her the three options.
It was right after Columbus Day weekend of
what she can do about, um, demolished property.
And to this day, we're fighting the city, uh,
to be compensated, which is, um, you know,
violation of the Fifth Amendment.
Um, you've been a Walter Burnett, you've been a alderman
for a very long time.
So I was nine years old when you, when you first came in
as a alderman.
I wasn't even living here, I from New York,
but to see that you still here
and one of the longest standing aldermen, uh,
and now a vice mayor, which is, I don't even know
how you became a vice mayor, but you're the vice mayor.
And when it comes to speaking to you about the issues of
property being taken in our communities, um,
we're not receiving help.
Not getting help even went to your, you know, mentor person
who got you in Jesse White.
You know, you telling him one thing, you know,
and he's, he believes that you're a good guy,
but at the whole time, you, you a criminal fam
and you don't care about the community
unless they giving you money when it come to our properties.
Like you being the chairman of, of zoning was one
of the worst things ever, you know, because you don't care.
You don't care about the community.
I mean, you'll go as far as to Canada
to go find some more contractors
because of the money instead of working
with contractors right here in the city of Chicago, like you
and CHA are running a criminal organization when it
come to these white developers.
And no, and you're not getting in trouble.
So like, that's not fair.
Nor do, nor do you want to help either.
So you don't want to, you don't want to make a change,
you know, and you don't want
to help people when they come to you.
It's always, it's in litigation. You can't do this.
It's in litigation, man.
You've been the, you've been in this, in this, uh, office,
this, this city hall since 1995.
You could easily make a couple of phone calls when it come
to, to our properties being stolen.
But it's big money, it's big business, you know,
'cause it's in tif, it's in TIF zones.
So you going to make, you gonna continue to make money.
I hope them few people
that still over there in the row houses
and Cabrini Green don't leave at all.
'cause y'all waiting for them to go.
Y'all promise that y'all gonna get 'em some more housing
and then y'all don't,
y'all just leave them out here displaced.
But nobody not gonna continue to deal with this.
I'm not gonna deal with this.
The city of Chicago owe my mother and y'all gonna pay her.
Thank you Ms. Lee. Uh, now we'll have, uh, Tom Benedetto.
Good morning Chairman. Burnett,
love the emphasis on the Italian name there.
Appreciate that. And congratulations on your appointment.
To chair of the zoning committee, good morning, uh, members
of the committee on zoning landmarks and building.
My name is Tom Benedetto.
I'm director of local advocacy at Illinois Realtors here
representing 17,000 members
of the Chicago Association of Realtors.
Our industry has long supported reasonable safety measures
in residential and commercial properties.
So today realtors are proud to offer our support
for the Firefighter Safety Ordinance.
Item 0 0 1 2 4 1 7, regulating skylights
and roof openings.
The cost to build can dramatically drive up the cost to buy
or rent housing in our city.
Realtors were engaged on the drafting of this ordinance
because we advocate for lowering, lowering development
and construction costs.
So those savings can be passed on to consumers in the form
of lower rents and mortgage payments.
But building safe
and stable structures is a priority for the realtors too.
And we believe additional support mechanisms
for skylights in this instance are important.
Whether it's a firefighter, a building inspector,
or another party accessing the roof,
we must minimize their risk.
So while realtors promote the American dream
of home ownership, or the dream
of starting a business in a storefront
or an office, it's our fire department
and our first responders who protect those dreams
and far too often pay the ultimate price to do so.
So, realtors want to thank the firefighters here today
and across Chicago and their families for their service
and sacrifice to our city.
Our members and staff are always ready
to roll up our sleeves, to create pol policies,
to protect homeowners,
and in this case, protect our city's first responders too.
So thank you Alderman Quinn
and Alderman Nugent for bringing us to the table on this.
And I encourage the community to support ordinance
0 0 1 2 4 1 7.
Thank you. Um, yes, I, I had, uh,
visited, uh, St.
Benedetto in, in Italy, so I know Benedetto.
Um, so now we want to, um, acknowledge, uh,
some of our colleagues who have come in, uh,
alderman David Moore, alderman Ruth Cruz,
and Alderman
Mosley 59.
Okay. As well as Alderman Hall, who would like to join
on the provisions of Rule 59.
Alderman Lawson makes a motion to accept this.
All those in favor things fa by
and aye, those opposed the ayes.
Have it now. Thank you so much.
Now we have, uh, Eric Steins as a witness,
followed by Taiwan Sims.
Morning, ladies and gentlemen, today is staying
before you, not only as the Vice President
of the Chicago Firefighters Union,
but a voice for the brave men
and women who put their lives on the line every day
to protect our communities.
It is fitting on the anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire.
And during fire prevention week, we gather here
to address a pressing issue
that affects not only firefighter safety,
but the safety of every citizen.
We serve the need for a comprehensive building ordinance
concerning roof openings
that would help protect firefighters in the line of duty.
Every time we respond to a call,
we enter a world of uncertainty.
We face unpredictable conditions.
And while we are trained to handle these challenges,
we must also be equipped with the right tools and knowledge.
It is essential that our buildings from residential
to commercial structures are constructed
and maintained with our safety in mind.
The statistics are alarming.
Firefighters face greater risks in buildings
that do not adhere to modern safety standards.
We have seen too many of our brothers
and sisters injured are even killed due
to structural failures
or antiquated design and safety measures.
These tragedies are not just numbers.
They're our friends and our family.
On November 13th, 2023, it was my friend
and a friend to anyone that knew him.
Firefighter Drew Price.
Drew is the reason why we are here today.
After he had fallen to his death
and unsecured light shaft,
while providing essential ventilation operations
while fighting a fire.
At 24 24 North Lincoln Avenue, we are calling
for this building ordinance that requires a para pit wall
or covering meeting load bearing requirements,
securing all open shafts or skylights on flat roofs.
Requiring this measure
for new construction roof replacements
and significant remodels is not merely a suggestion.
It is a necessity.
By adopting a stricter code
and ensuring compliance,
we can significantly reduce the risks we face.
More, moreover, we must advocate for the ongoing training
and education for all personnel involved in the construction
and maintenance of these structures.
It is vital that everyone understands the importance
of the fire safety regulations
and is committed to implementing them.
This is not solely the responsibility of firefighters.
It is a collective effort that requires the participation
of architects, builders,
and inspectors, property owners, and legislators.
As local tools, director of health
and safety, I continually reiterate that the cost
of inaction is far greater than the investment in safety.
By prioritizing this building ordinance,
we are investing in the wellbeing of our firefighters
and the communities we protect.
We're standing up for the rights of those
who bravely face danger every day.
And we are ensuring that no one must endure the heartache
of losing loved one in the line of duty due
to preventable circumstances.
Today, I thank everyone who has supported this ordinance,
especially all their Samantha Nugent
and Alderman Marty Quinn,
for bringing this ordinance to fruition.
Further, I give my most heartfelt gratitude for Lara Price.
Uh, drew Price's widow joining us today. Thank you.
Um, now we have, uh, wan Sims.
Um, Walter Burnett.
I'm glad that C Joe Lopez grimy no good tail.
Didn't get the spot. However, the 1901 project
that's coming up and me sitting down
with those guys over there discussing it, don't, none
of 'em got construction skills.
Y'all have not thought to say, Hey, well you know what?
We'll put up, um, journeyman school.
What, what do they call it?
Um, journeyman schooled or apprentice schools?
Nothing but this. All this works.
65,000 jobs and he said 15,000.
Oh, we'll give 15,000 jobs.
You know, how long them people been over there
since the building's been gone.
But this just a personal,
that was just a personal conversation between me and you.
Anyway, so I FOIAed a request, sir,
I was shot unfortunately in 2023.
In August 24, I was shot at, um,
103rd at the Imperial Hotel.
I FOIA that the foyer request is P
9 5 1 6 9 9.
The event number is JG 3 9 6 1 5 1.
And inside of Foer.
And it, I was sent an email that said that I would have
to file a city a, a lawsuit, basically against the city
to even get that request.
But I was the person that was shot.
I was on the phone with the police
so I could hear myself being shot.
I could hear the exchange between me
and the gentleman who the police let go,
unfortunately, along with the lady.
So I'm just saying, and this happened at 103rd,
45 West, 103rd.
Why that place still open? I don't know.
Brings no value to the community.
It's a dilapidated hotel that I was forced to live in
because I'm homeless still.
That's because of C Joe Lopez.
But we gonna get to the bottom of this.
What's going on in this body of people?
I gotta realize I put a foer look, I was shot in the stomach
at a hotel that I was staying at.
I FOIA requested. And inside, instead of honoring
that foyer request, I was attacked.
Once again. My children have been taken away from me.
My financial means everything.
And it came outta this body of people.
I've been homeless since 2021.
Illegals have been housed. See Joe Lopez, don't lean back.
Feel better. 'cause I don't, but you got the zone in now.
So I suppose with all, with this great power that you going
to wield and all of these people in this room
that has something in it, what they call it, um,
ball rub or whatever you just gave him,
but to what benefit for my people,
black Americans in this city, C Joe Lopez.
I promise you, brother, but y'all, y'all gotta sanction him
or get him outta that position
because we know that it's discriminatory.
We know that him sitting in the chairman as the Chairman
of Housing, black Americans have been pushed into poverty.
That's why those black children ride the Ls.
And now you got zoning and it's more money
and it's more of a push.
But I guarantee you that the personal attack on me.
Thank you,
Ms.
Cecilia Butler.
Good morning. Uh,
Cecilia Butler from the Washington Park community.
I'm asking, uh, chairman, if I can share my time
with my, uh, colleague.
I was told that's up to you.
Sure, sure.
Okay. Uh, plainly stated,
on January 13th, 2021,
there was a fire at the Washington Park Field House,
a deliberate fire.
But it's about time the Washington Park community is
bestowed the respect we deserve.
We are not Bronzeville, we are not West Hyde Park.
We are not West Woodlawn. We are not East Inglewood.
We are Washington Park community area, 40
of the 77 community areas.
For those who are not aware
of the Washington Park community,
we have a very rich history.
The Washington Park community has been home to some
of the country's notable executives, legislators, artists,
writers, musicians, sportsmen professionals such
as Jesse Binga, owner of the privately owned Black Bank,
former, um, Massachusetts, governor Deval Patrick,
and so on and so forth.
We have some of the best act architectural sound,
homes and buildings.
And why must we, at this point be subject to
the playground of the South side?
We have a 345 acre park, an Olmstead Park.
There's not many of those in the world,
but Washington Park is one.
So why must the So-called Sunshine
Enterprises build? Uh,
You have a minute left if you wanted to share your time.
Okay, I'll, I'll let my colleague speak. Thank you.
Good morning, alderman Burnett and your committee. I'm Dr.
Edward Cheney. I am the, I'm the President
of the Washington Park Homeowners Association.
I have lived in the same residence
for 55 years in Washington Park.
Sunshine Ministries or Sunshine Gospel Ministries,
in my humble opinion, is trying to pirate land
in Washington Park, although it's located in Woodlawn
and it has used our alderman,
our state senator, and our former state representative
to help steamroll the action through the council.
I ask that the zoning committee recall the measure
and look at it a second time.
The 11,000 residents in Washington Park,
less than 70, voted for the measure
that passed through the alderman's office so
that it could be given let to the council.
You would like for me to go forward?
Yeah, continue. Okay. For a minute,
For a minute, sunshine Gospel Men,
sunshine Gospel Ministries in its
statement called Proposed Development Program
delivered to the council.
A statement fraught with statements
that are inaccurate and what I would call out and out lies.
For example, it states that the
income of Washington Parkers
was somewhere in the neighborhood of $25,000 yesterday.
I fact checked that on Google
and it stated that in zip code 6 0 6 3 7,
the income is $37,247
in its proposed program project for Washington Park.
Sunshine stated that the park,
Washington Park was 200 and some acres.
When it's 345.67
acres, sunshine wants to build
a project diagonally across from
the 345 acre park
and construct a, a sports stadium
in the 345 acre park.
We already have basketball courts, we have tennis courts,
we have pickleball courts,
and the park is just filled with opportunities for people
who want to play soccer and baseball. Alright,
So, thank you.
Uh, I think we get the point.
Uh, so I just want to thank you.
I want to thank, um, Ms. Butler, I know
of her advocacy in the community.
Thank you for everything that you've done, uh,
in the community for a long time.
You know, you all, just so you know, both
of you all could have signed up to be, to speak.
Uh, and, and each of you all could have had three minutes.
So, see that I have a disability,
and when I got downtown,
I could not find a parking space close to City Hall
for disabled people.
Okay? So that's why. So I had to find one.
That's why I allowed you some more time.
And I appreciate that, sir. All right.
And I hope that your committee will reconsider
recalling this sunshine issue Alright?
And give it a complete vetting. Thank, thank you.
Thank you, Mr.
Uh, Ms. Trish.
Ms. Trish Vanderberg,
Vanderberg, Vander Beck.
Thank you. Um, good morning and thank you.
Uh, just wanna say for considering the, uh,
Jackson Storage Building at 36 0 9
and 11 West cmac, I'm on the board of directors
of Theater Y, which is working to create an arts, uh,
um, incubator hub there, as well
as their not-for-Profit Free theater.
And working with the community who,
they had a community meeting last Saturday,
which I was unable to attend,
but I believe was highly positive, uh, for the landmarking
of the building, which was brought up at the last meeting,
but held over, um,
because of the community meeting had not happened.
So I, I just hope that you'll vote in favor of it.
And thank you very much for your time.
Thank you. Thank you very much, Mr. George Blakemore
Your first day here as the chairman
of the zoning committee,
but you've been around, you've been here over 20 years,
so you know how the game is played.
Don't play that game. Stop it.
We don't need any more political hacks.
Stop it the way it been played. Don't play it anymore.
The game. This is nothing but another damn pay to play.
If you can get, uh, uh, anything gone at any time
and anywhere if you pay to play.
So this is all another dog
and pony show right there on Duron and,
and, uh, uh, a right coast to North Avenue.
A little irregular lot.
You can't build a highrise or, uh, or build on that lot.
It's irregular. Didn't they build it?
Didn't they do that? So don't tell me a a about the zone.
You've been around, you know what happened to
you, Uhhuh, and, and,
and now you come in, you know, it's just like a, a a one,
leave out a dooo and then you eat
and then another piece of dooo come in.
Yeah, right? The games are being played.
One of the, uh, prestigious young lady is the lawyer.
I say, do you work for that law firm?
She say, no, they was mean, they was corrupt.
I'm working for myself now. They are bad people.
Yes, I know you bad people.
I know you are corrupt, fraud and abuse, but you know why?
Because it's a one party system.
And what is that one party system?
The Democrats though? No.
Like Democrats vote them out.
This is like a, a monopoly here.
It's evil. Here is like a communist system here.
You know why people
Allow,
Again, it is very, very important
to have concerned citizens.
People like, uh, that's advocating for going red.
I had on this other hat, I said, lemme go down here
and take this one out and, and, uh, and put this red one on.
Go red. It is time for a change here.
We got black pieces or nothing, white pieces or nothing.
Hispanic pieces. Nothing ain all nothing.
Or 69 each other or one white.
I'm keeping it real.
Thank you. Thank you Mr. Blakemore.
We,
We will now move on to the agenda
per request from Alderman Matt Martin, we are going
to go out of, out of order
and move to the top of page seven.
File number 2, 2 3, 7 6.
Ordinance referred 3 20 20 24.
Common address is 39 59 North Lincoln Avenue,
39 40 North Damon.
Change request is business plan development number 6, 5 5
to residential business plan development number
6, 5 5 as amended.
This item was heard
and passed by the Chicago Plan Commission, Alder Lawson.
Alder Lawson makes a motion to incorporate all records
and findings from that hearing.
All in favor? All in favor say aye. Aye.
All opposed, the ayes have it.
We have Attorney Rich Clouder
to present this matter.
Uh, thank you Mr. Chairman for the record.
Rich Clouder from the law firm of DLA Piper,
representing the applicant, LDI partners, LLC.
Uh, before I proceed, I would like
to be the first zoning lawyer to congratulate
and thank you for your service
to our city and your new role.
Best wishes on a successful
and distinguished tenure, um, in your chairmanship.
And thanks to, to vice chair, uh, Bennett Lawson
for his years of service.
Um, thank you very much.
Uh, on the matter at hand, uh, this is a matter that was
as mentioned, uh, heard
by the Chicago Plan Commission on Thursday, September 19th,
and it received a favorable recommendation at that time.
The applicant seeks an amendment
to business plan development number 6 65 to allow
for a three sub area development that adds
to the existing Fifth Third Bank drive through sub area C
two separate, but related residential projects.
One, a market rate project in sub area B
and a second 100% affordable project in what is shown
as sub area A in the slide to the left.
These pro, this property is located at the southwest
and southeast intersections of Irving Park Road,
Lincoln Avenue and Damon Avenue in the 47th Ward.
A brief word about the project, this is a unique partnership
between a market rate developer
and an affordable housing developer.
And together they're planning a transformative project
for the North Center neighborhood.
Alderman Martin and his staff are instrumental in developing
the vision for a project
that leverages private investment in a market rate project
for the benefit of a 100% affordable project.
What makes this project particularly unique
and compelling is the partnership
between the market rate developer, developer,
and the affordable housing developer
sub area A will be developed as 64 units
of permanent supportive housing for survivors
of gender-based violence.
Every unit will be affordable along a continuum
of affordable rents and unit types,
and will receive assistance from CHA
and other sources of subsidy.
Sub area B will be developed as 130 units
of market rate housing.
From the standpoint of the city's a RO,
this project has 64 affordable units among a total
of 194 units, meaning that on an overall basis,
about one third of the overall unit count
is affordable units.
Income levels for the affordable units are also well
below the minimum average weighted a MI of 60%.
This is due in part
to the permanent supportive housing units receiving
project-based rental assistance from CHA.
This was accomplished in part by the willingness on the part
of the market rate developer to facilitate the sale
of the sub area, a property
to the Brinshore AP Nagar partnership at well
below Fair Market value.
A representative of brinshore,
the affordable housing developer, Michael r, is seated
to my right and he
and I are available for questions
in the event that you have them.
Otherwise, I'd like to offer my many thanks
to Alderman Martin and the various city agencies
for their review and support for this project.
And we ask for your favorable
recommendation to the full City Council.
Thank you Council. Uh, alderman Martin,
would you like to say something? I do.
Uh, thank you chair and thank you all, especially
for your indulgence in allowing me to, uh,
speak first on the agenda.
A few additional things that I wanna note.
So, when I took an off talk, took office in 2019,
the North Center Chamber
of Commerce spearheaded a community vision
and focused on this particular site,
both the existing bank building
and the adjacent parking lot as an opportunity
for redevelopment, noting that the parking lot could, uh,
house, uh, a a six story building.
So we had a lot of iterations as rich
and others will know, um, uh, coming through the community,
I believe this was the third different proposal
that we received.
And we engaged hundreds of neighbors across the community,
uh, held a half dozen in-person
and virtual meetings to solicit input, uh, in addition,
of course, to talking with our local chamber
and our neighbors association.
Um, that community driven process allowed us to identify
and uplift, uh, our residential
and business priorities, whether it was, uh, adding density
to this underutilized parcel,
creating affordable family sized homes,
more open public space,
and preserving a very beautiful, uh,
historic bank building at one
of the most important intersections in our community.
As rich noted, uh, this was really a, a,
a coordinated effort with a market rate developer,
affordable housing developer, uh, AP Nagar,
which is a nonprofit that supports survivors of domestic
and gender-based violence, as well as the network,
which is a coalition of organizations doing the same.
Uh, the last thing I wanted to emphasize was
with the existing bank building, how important
and critical I think this is not just for our community,
but for the broader city.
Um, it's gonna provide a stable base for survivors
of gender-based violence in their families
to rebuild their lives in the longer term.
Um, it's supporting specifically families who are one
to three years removed from situations
of gender-based violence, uh, having first received support,
uh, at shelters and transitional housing.
They will provide onsite supportive services, uh,
including childcare, educational
and employment services as needed.
And, um, has received support both from the state
and the city to make this a reality.
I'm, my understanding is this is the first opportunity in
the city to have permanent supportive housing, specifically
for families recovering from gender-based violence.
And I certainly hope it's not the last.
And, uh, with that I would ask
for this committee's favorable consideration.
Thank you. So, uh, first of all,
alderman, I wanna commend you.
Um, I know it was a lot of work putting this together.
Um, and I wanna commend your community for accepting, um,
a a building like this
and also, um, for the amount of affordable housing
that's included in it, which is beyond the regular, uh,
a RO uh, amount.
So you went, um, beyond that, so I just wanna commend you
and thank you for doing that.
So it should be noted.
Uh, so, uh, are there any questions about committee members?
Yes. Uh, alderman Lawson,
Uh, thank you Chair. Uh,
I too wanna commend my colleague.
I know what an important intersection this is in your award
and, and in our, the greater community.
Um, and, uh, certainly the the need is there
and Apgar is a great organization.
So, and in need of more space, certainly.
Um, I wanna just ask a couple questions though.
Um, are, are you taking advantage of any,
I know the existing building,
is there a landmark possibility?
Has it been landmarked? Uh, is that a of been
LA It has not been landmarked,
and our understanding in talking with the Department
of Planning Development is
that it would not be a good candidate for that.
Nevertheless, it anchors arguably our most important
intersection, Lincoln Damon and Irving Park.
So early in the process, we did talk
with a development team about maintaining that
and are happy that, uh, that is in this final product.
Absolutely, absolutely. Um, my second question is,
and I I'm, I'm sorry, you got kind of a lot of parking for,
uh, what I know is a busy corner and,
and a decent number of units.
What, what was the conversation sort of
around having so many spaces?
Is there a commercial user identified, or,
or is it more this is for rent, right?
Uh, yeah, all, all rentals.
So I, I would defer to Mike
and to Rich, uh, to get into the specifics.
I think that it very much is transit oriented development in
terms of, uh, the, the rehab piece,
and I think they can provide the specific numbers.
And then in terms of the market rate piece,
that was an ongoing conversation, um,
with our neighbors association and the Chamber of Commerce.
I know that, um, for that piece, I believe,
and I'll let them correct me if I'm wrong, it might be, uh,
40% of, of, of units have, uh,
onsite parking, uh, available.
Uh, so less than 50%, of course.
And then for, um, the, uh, uh, the existing bank building,
I think it might be approximately 18 spaces
of memory serves Yeah.
For 64 units.
So, um, I think generally
that reflects our transit door in development
around the Irving Park stop.
Um, uh, and I, I think that it's been a good, uh, process
with DPD, with the applicants and with the neighbors
Question. Uh,
vice chair Rich Clouder, again, on behalf
of the applicant, 54 parking spaces
for 130 market rate units
and 18 parking spaces for 64 affordable units.
Doesn't seem out of line for us.
Um, it, I think it's pretty consistent with other
even transit served locations, uh, in terms
of parking ratios.
So we think it's a good balance.
I mean, uh, obviously there are some people who will elect
to drive, especially people in the market rate project.
Um, but we think that the ratio of some, somewhere
between 0.35 to one on an overall basis is, uh, is,
uh, a good balance.
Fair. Uh, the agenda says 77 in sub variable. Oh,
That's a, that's a typo. Okay.
Or, or is part of the sub, right. That's it. Thank you.
I'll, I'll thank you. If no one else,
any questions, I'll make the motion chair.
Thank you very much. A a Any other questions? None.
Seeing none. Uh, uh, alderman Lawson, um, moved.
Do pass as revised. All in favor? Say All in favor?
All opposed the aye have it. And the opinion of the chair.
Uh, the item is passed as revised.
Stand out of order.
Yes, alderman Riley? Uh, yes.
Gentlemen, could you please add me
to the attendance roll call? Yes.
Yes. Uh, can we add, uh, alderman rally for attendance?
Also, alderman Harris in person. Alderman Harris in person.
We already had you,
we already had you in attendance over
Zoom, so now you're in person.
Okay. Um, so staying out of, out of order, we will move on
to the middle of page two.
Document number 0 2 0 2 4 dash
0 0 1 2 4 1 7.
A text amendment introduced by Alderman Quinn
and Nugent amending municipal code chapter 14
B dash 15 by adding new section
14 B dash 15 dash 1516
regarding low slope roof edges in chapter
14, R dash three by adding new section
14 R dash three dash 3 0 6
regarding roof replacement
and skylights, we have the sponsors Alderman
Samantha Nugent, here to present this matter.
Good morning and congratulations Mr.
Chairman, on your chairmanship.
Uh, thank you for the opportunity
to present this ordinance to the committee.
I'd like to thank my co-sponsor,
alderman Marty Quinn for his advocacy.
And thank you to our colleagues who have signed on
to this important ordinance.
In the event of a fire light shafts, light courts
and skylights present grave danger to firefighters.
These openings often lack guards
or parapets, leaving them open for someone to fall into
This ordinance requires guards
and walls to be built, built around those openings.
Less than a year ago, the entire city mourned the death
of Firefighter Drew Price,
who lost his life while responding to a fire.
Today we are introducing an ordinance
that will help save the lives
of firefighters when they respond to a call
and help prevent tragic, tragic deaths like that of Drew's.
I'm deeply honored to have Drew's wife,
Laura Price here today.
Laura, thank you for being here,
and thank you for your continued advocacy.
Thank you. Good morning.
My name is Laura Price, the widow of Drew Price,
Chicago firefighter,
who sacrificed his life in service to the city.
On November 13th, drew responded to
what seemed like a routine fire,
something he'd done countless times
for over his 15 year career.
But that day when he went
to ventilate the building from the roof
to provide safer conditions for his fire company
and the residence inside,
drew fell four stories through a light shaft.
He was pulled out of the basement
by his own fire company that day.
Drew never came home,
and that traumatic day altered many, many lives forever.
Drew's heroism isn't limited to his role as a firefighter.
It was woven into every part of his life.
He treated his fire company with the same care
and devotion that he brought home to his family every day,
always leading with his heart wide open
to those lucky enough to know him.
Drew wasn't just another firefighter,
he was a force of good.
His influence always leaned toward what was right
and kind making the world brighter simply by being himself.
His death wasn't just a tragic accident, it was preventable.
The proposal before you today
to require weight-bearing covers
or parapet walls around light shafts will save lives.
This is about safeguarding the lives of the brave men
and women who rush into danger every day when others are
running out a standard ordinance across many large cities.
We don't know how many open light shafts there are across
the city, but we do know there a significant hazard
every day without action risks another life,
another family shattered.
This ordinance won't cover everything older buildings need
attention to, but it's a critical start.
I speak not only as Drew's wife,
but as a voice for the spouses, parents, children,
and friends of every firefighter
who risk their life for the city.
We owe it to them to create safer working conditions.
Passing this ordinance will prevent other families from
experiencing the pain and loss that we do every day.
Let's work to live in a city
where firefighters make it home safely.
A place where that devastating phone call is a one-off,
not a frequent occurrence.
Please withdrew for Drew for every firefighter in the city
and for their families.
Support this measure and commit to making sure
that our firefighters make it home safely.
Thank you.
Thank you, Ms. Price.
Uh, are there any questions for Ms. Price?
Yeah, alderman Moore, uh,
Uh, for fire Colleague for the, uh,
This is, it's called what?
Para, that's pronounced word, right Word. Para pat.
So I'm looking at the, um, and, and
Definitely Can you speaking in,
I'm sorry. Thank you. I didn't realize
it wasn't there.
Thank you, chairman. Um, this para pet and,
and you definitely my condolences.
And, um, you know, we definitely gonna continue to want
to support our, um, our first responders,
especially our firefighters as well.
Um, the parapet, what am I looking at?
An example that's not what's on the, I know the windows,
but what's the protection part?
And I, I'm trying to visualize the protection part.
Yeah. So Alderman, can you give us a minute?
Um, um, Mike, Mike Holli from the, um,
legislative bureau was gonna walk us through the ordinance.
Would you mind waiting a minute?
Okay. And then he'll show the protection part.
May, may, maybe he, maybe he can answer that question.
Can you walk us through it? Mike?
Uh, thanks. Chair members. Thank you.
Thanks Chair. And members of the committee.
I'm Mike Hallett, director
of the Legislative Reference Bureau.
Uh, this ordinance would establish minimum protective
standards for openings in low slope, uh, low sloped roofs.
Uh, that's a roof with a slope of less than 17 degrees.
Uh, and it would apply to new construction, roof replacement
and level three alterations, which are renovations
or rehabilitations.
Uh, where the work area exceeds 50% of the building area.
Uh, there's two different protective standards.
One, the first one for courts and shafts.
Uh, so courtyards, light shafts, larger openings, uh,
they would be protected by a parapet, extended masonry,
or a guard or a railing
that would meet the applicable height requirements for
that particular occupancy group.
Um, so in practice it could look like literally a staircase
railing, uh,
or, you know, just continuing the wall of the roof up
to meet the applicable height requirement.
Uh, other openings, uh,
like skylights must either have fitted glass
of various types that meet the live load
requirements for that roof.
Mm-Hmm. So you can put the same amount of pressure movement,
uh, and grant from the Department of Buildings is here for
some more technical information, uh,
that I'm able to provide.
Uh, so yeah, fitted glass meeting the live load requirements
or meeting the requirements for courts and shafts.
Okay. So I think that answered my question.
So if, if I'm looking at like the, um, the
tan roof on the left in the picture,
then we're looking at a stronger glass for that.
Nothing like on top and around the roof of that Correct.
FAQ page with the picture I picture side by side.
I'm, yes. Yeah, it's my, I i,
I dunno the exact measurements,
but I suspect that the roof on the left, uh,
is not a low sloped roof.
And that would be, that would not be covered. And the,
But the one on the right, uh, would depict it.
Okay. Alright. I think I got it. Thank you, chairman.
Okay. So we have a, um, we have Jamar Sullivan,
the District Chief, special Operations
of Special Operations. All.
Alright. Thank you very much
for allowing me to be here to speak today.
Uh, good morning. My name is Jamar Sullivan.
I'm the Chief of Special Operations
for the Chicago Fire Department.
Annette Nance Holt is our fire commissioner.
She would've liked to have been here today, uh,
but she has some other obligations
because ironically, this is Fire Safety Week.
Um, she did wanna make sure that I, especially today,
that she strongly supports this new city ordinance aimed at
enhancing safety by requiring protective features on our
rooftops for skylights in fully enclosed courts,
the ordinance is designed to produce the risk
of accidents involving falls from these architectural
elements, which are kind
of common in Chicago's urban environment.
Protective measures such as guardrails
or barriers would ensure that the rooftop skylights
and enclosed courts are safer for maintenance workers,
first responders, and the residents.
From a fire safety perspective,
the commissioner sees these changes as critical
for protecting both firefighters
and occupants in emergency situations,
firefighters often must navigate our rooftops
and other elevated surfaces.
In the presence of unprotected skylights
and unguarded light cord would pot could pose
to significant risk to our members.
The proposed ordinance would s uh, ensure
that these features are designed in new construction
projects or rehabs with proper safeguards in place,
reducing the potential for injury during rescue operations
or routine inspections.
We really like to thank Alderman Nugent
and Alderman Quinn for championing this initiative.
Your support is crucial as it underscores the importance
of safety of our firefighters
and residents addressed with this ordinance.
By advocating for these changes, the commission is aligning
with the Department of Building's broader efforts
to make the city's building safer
and more resilient, particularly in the context
of emergencies and residential safety.
So thank you very much for your support.
Thank you. Also, uh, if we can have Grant ick, ick
Orrick. Good. Good morning
chairman. Um, good morning Chairman
and members of the Committee on
zoning landmarks and building standards.
Uh, I am Grant Ulrich, the Managing Deputy Commissioner
of the Department of Buildings.
Uh, commissioner Marlene Hopkins
would've very much liked to have been here.
She was planning to be here, but
she, I called to another meeting.
Um, the Department of Buildings too would like
to thank Alderman Nugent and Quinn
and the other co-sponsors of this ordinance
for both the ordinance and their commitment
to working collaboratively with the fire department,
the building department, and others in the industry affected
by this ordinance to develop this important ordinance, uh,
I think, and have a lot of agreement and support for it.
Um, thank you also to the sponsors
and the Legislative reference Bureau for preparing.
Very nice summary. Um, so my remarks can,
can skip some of those details.
Uh, this ordinance will improve safety
of first responders on roofs of new buildings, buildings
that undergo a roof replacement,
and buildings that undergo significant rehabilitation.
The Department of Building stands ready
to enforce the requirements as part
of our permitting processes beginning January 1st,
and the Department of Buildings asked
for your support of this ordinance.
Thank you very much. Um,
so Autumn and Quinn,
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Um, Laura, thank you very much.
Uh, your testimony was fantastic.
I really appreciate, uh, your, your bravery coming down here
and, uh, walking us through, uh, what took place.
Um, this is the first step.
As you pointed out, um, all our, all our women, Nugent
and I had been working on this for the last three months.
We've had over 12 separate meetings to get to this point.
Um, so I, I want to thank all the Roman Nugent.
Uh, I want to thank Adam from her staff,
who's been fantastic.
Uh, Mike Hollet, um, has been fantastic.
The, uh, Chicago Fire Department led by Commissioner Holt,
um, Chicago Bill, uh, billing department, led by,
um, Marlene Hopkins.
Um, local two, um, has been fantastic in their advocacy.
Um, Erman, uh, Knutson, um, has been great.
Um, and, uh, the certainly appreciate the,
the comments from the realtors today.
Um, ladies
and gentlemen, this is the, the first step, um, in,
in the process to, to continue to try
to protect our first responders.
Um, and so I look forward to working on this in the future.
And I think what, what our takeaway was when we started
this, is just communicating with departments is something
that was missing.
And so continuing to work on, on improving and,
and attempting to make this, this starting point.
Um, I think the next step would be to be more proactive, um,
in how we could do that, utilizing technology like drones
to figure out where these, uh, these holes are,
these skylight, these skylights or,
or shafts are on, on our old building.
So I look forward to the work moving forward.
Um, and with that, um, I'll turn it back over to you chair.
Thank you. Uh, Alden McQuinn, I want to commend you
and, uh, alderman Nugent.
I'm happy to have been one of the 31, uh,
co-sponsors on this, uh, on this ordinance.
I also would like to, um, thank you Ms. Price for, um,
turning your pain and the passion
and trying to make sure other families don't go through
what your family has gone through.
So God bless you
and your family for what you all are doing here.
Uh, are there any questions? Uh, alderman Alderman Dowell?
Yes. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
This is to the building department.
I notice in the ordinance it requires, uh,
when you do a roof replacement, that you have to adhere
to the ordinance if someone comes in
with a roof replacement.
Do you, you all now ask if there are these window
shafts on top of the roof, these roofs?
Or do you just give a, a permit for roof replacement?
Yeah, we do not have a process in place today.
So by January 1st, when this takes effect,
we will be putting a process in place.
Okay. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Alderman, uh, Nuen.
I'll go to this one. Can you hear me?
Thank you so much, chair.
Um, so been in strong support of this ordinance
as a co-sponsor.
Uh, I wanna thank Alderman Quinn, alderman Nugent, and Al.
Also just give extra thanks to Laura Price.
Um, chairman, like you said,
she truly is turning her pain into passion
and getting a lot done.
It's incredible to work with you in a few different ways.
You know, on Friday we're gonna be unveiling the Drew Price,
honorary Street sign in the 43rd Ward where,
where Drew Price passed.
Um, and, you know, partnering with you, partnering
with Justin, with Dustin Jeffers in the back has just been a
great education for me on Firefighter safety.
And yesterday in the committee, when we were
speaking on Firefighter bereavement in education for all
of us, um, uh, resources like you and,
and champions are how we can learn
and get better policy done.
So I just wanna give you an extra heartfelt thanks,
and I'm, I'm looking forward to keep working with you.
Thank you, alderman. Um, we, we need to acknowledge, uh,
alderman, oh, I'm sorry.
Alderman, the spotter.
Thank you very much, chair.
Uh, thank you Ms. Price for coming down.
I, I can't even imagine how challenging it is to share
those memories and experiences with us.
So thank you very much. I I am I'm gonna follow up with a,
it's kind of a technical question, but it's helpful for me.
These only apply to flat roofs.
Can someone share how a pitched roof, um,
achieves enough safety for our residents?
I ask this to someone who represents a lot of wards
with pitched roofs, with skylights,
and also someone who, uh,
will at some point in the future have a
pitched roof with the skylights.
So I wanna make sure that I'm personally acting in the best
interest of our firefighters.
So, pitched roof versus flat roof is the question.
And why is pitched roof exempt
and how should we be thinking about that?
Uh, chair Do you the pitch roofs, we typically,
when we navigate a pitch roof, we're gonna use a ladder
or some other type of device to help us to do it.
The roofs that we're talking
about, they typically walk them.
Okay. And so under the circumstance where there's, um, uh,
reduced light, snow, um, smoke, things like that,
they can actually become fall hazards
and with some catastrophic results
as a, uh, because of that.
So the pitch ropes, we treat them a little bit differently.
They do have some of those features that you've mentioned,
the skylight and everything,
but we actually navigate them a little differently.
So this is focusing on the ones
where the firefighters typically are going to be walking.
Okay. Thank you, sir. That's really helpful to understand.
Sincerely, thank you. Thank
You, chairman. Thank you,
alderman Conway.
Uh, Mr. Chairman, the, this was, um,
obviously a significant tragedy for our city.
Uh, and I have several members
of my family are firefighters, so certainly want to, uh,
thank you Mrs. Price for, for reliving this tragedy.
And also thank my colleagues for bringing this,
for bringing this forward.
Um, and I appreciate Alderman Quinn that you, you mentioned
that this, this was a first step in a, in a process
of making it, uh, making the job safer
for our first responders.
A a question I had for, for really anyone in the box is
trying to see how this compares to
ordinances in other cities.
Are we a leader now in this, or are we just catching up and,
and where we may be able to take
that from here, if you know.
Thanks, Al. Thanks.
Uh, alderman Conway, uh, as I understand it,
New York has a comparable, uh, ordinance.
I'm not exactly, uh, sure on how technically, uh,
it compares because it's written in accordance
with its building code.
And we've adopted the 2018 building code.
Maybe, uh, grant may have more information,
but that's, that would be my response.
Uh, building on that, I, I,
I think we did look at New York City's ordinance.
I did not conduct a, a sort of evaluation
of other city's ordinances.
This is not in national model building codes.
This is something that larger cities adopted.
And, and we looked at New York City as a model,
and we adapted it to our local conditions
and conversation with the fire department who's out there
every day seeing these conditions.
Um, and you may not know the
answer, and that's, that's okay.
If no, do, does New York City go f go, uh, uh,
further than we do in this, in this particular matter?
My my recollection is, it, it's comparable.
Okay. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. That's all I have.
And, and thank you all again for bringing this,
uh, excellent ordinance forward.
Thank you. Uh, we like to, uh,
acknowledge Alderman Hopkins as present, uh, alderman Cruz.
Thank you, chairman. I just wanna say congratulations.
Thank you to you. Thank you.
And also thank, um, alderman, NuGen
and Quinn for, for this resolution
and to add my support to this.
And also more this message for Laura, you know,
as we honor our loved ones.
What a beautiful way to honor your husband by, you know,
your passion to make a difference and protect others.
So that is lovely, admirable,
and I just wanna say thank you.
And, you know, always, you know, thank you for reaching out
to my office and we're, we're here to help you as well.
So, just wanted to say that I have my support,
but also thank my colleagues for, for this ordinance.
Are there any other, uh,
any further questions by the committee members?
Uh, seeing none, no further questions.
Um, Derman Hopkins, move, do pass.
All those in favor signify by saying Aye.
Those opposed the ayes have it.
Congratulations, alderman and, and Ms. Ms. Price. God bless.
Back to the regular order of business.
Um, top of the pa, top of page two, we have three
reappointments of members to the Public Building Commission,
which will be heard together.
All committee members should have receive a copy
of their bi biographies electronically,
and we'll find a copy in the packet before them.
They are document number
A 2 0 2 4 dash
0 0 1 2 4 2 8 for the reappointment
of David Whitley as a member
of the public Building commission
for a term effective immediately
and expiring September 30th, 2029.
Document number, A 2 0 2 4 dash
0 1 2 4 1 2 for the reappointment of
James F. Ellis, Jr.
As a member of the public building commission
for a term effective immediately
and expiring September 30th, 2027.
And lastly, document number
A 2 0 2 4 dash
0 1 2 4 1 2, the reappointment of
Jose g Mardo as a member of the Public Building Commission
for a term effective immediately
and expiring September 30th, 2029.
If there are questions by the committee members,
if there are not questions by committee members,
alderman, um, alderman Harris, make a motion
to move.
Oh, Al, Go ahead. Alderman. Alder, join
The, okay, I'm sorry.
Oh, no. Alderman is not it.
Questions before the motion? Yes.
Okay. So you have some questions.
Alderman la spotter. Perhaps
More for the public's edification
before we simply move on.
I, is there anyone who can speak briefly to the role
of the Chicago Public Building Commission in the process
of development and real estate in the city?
We have, and, and from what I understand,
we have the three candidates on, on Zoom.
Yes, there are. Uh, would anyone like
to speak to that, uh, any of the three board members?
Good afternoon, good morning, I'm sorry, uh, to our chair,
brunette and to the entire council.
My name is, My name is, uh, David,
uh, Todd Whitley.
And I have been a member of the Public Building Commission,
uh, for the past seven or eight years.
And it's been my pleasure to work with, uh, the PPC in, um,
ensuring that we are bringing, uh, project development
and, um, uh, ensuring that we are maintaining,
uh, you know, the, the beauty, the, the environmental, uh,
standards for, uh, city owned projects,
whether it be fire stations, uh, police stations, uh, uh,
public school buildings,
and most importantly, ensuring that, um, there is
a ample amount of participation from minority owned, uh,
businesses and women-owned businesses.
So, uh, to me it has been a great privilege
to serve on this committee
and to, uh, really see even with parks
and uh, uh, uh, areas where children can play,
how they have been improved,
and how it has brought, you know, a, a lot of, uh, positive,
uh, energy, uh, to our community.
So working with the various other entities in the city,
like the Chicago Public School System, uh, partnering
with them on various projects, I think has been a real, um,
value for this, uh, um, for this commission.
And so now I look forward to continuing to work, uh,
to serve and to, uh, be a voice, uh, to ensure that, um,
you know, we are doing what we can to manage what has been,
you know, given to us in terms of, uh, committing dollars
to these various, uh, development, uh, programs.
And projects. Thank you.
I appreciate that, sir. Is there anyone else who want to,
Is there any other com?
Is there any other, uh,
board member who would like to speak?
Yes,
not that's all right.
Just wanted, go ahead. I'm sorry.
I was trying to push the button here.
Uh, like my colleague said, is, um, it's a great honor
and pleasure to be able to serve on this board, uh, and,
and to be able to be part, uh,
Excuse me. Can
you identify, can you identify yourself, please?
I'm sorry. Uh, Jose Maldonado, uh, one
of the commissioners at the Public Billing Commission, uh,
like my colleague has stated, uh,
we pride ourselves in what we do.
Uh, like I said, we work, we work on different projects, uh,
for public use buildings, public schools, libraries,
police departments, fire departments.
That was explained, uh,
but also not only given the opportunity
to our minority contractors,
but also helping people in the community to be part
of those projects.
Uh, it creates jobs for them
and that opportunity for, you know, to build a middle class,
you know, to be able to provide for their families.
So I pride myself a lot with that also,
and also being a business representative
for the Carpenters Union, uh, we're, we're, we're about
creating opportunities for people, uh, so they could live
that, that, um, middle class life and,
and to be able to live a and,
and to be able to retire with dignity.
So these projects actually help a lot,
not only beautifying our communities
and providing those services,
but also providing that opportunity to better themselves.
Thank you, Jose. Thank you, Bishop Whitley.
So, to, to put it succinctly, you would say
that the Chicago Public Building Commission assists in the
design and development of public facilities in the city
of Chicago, correct?
Yes, Sir. And Cook County, I think,
And Cook County.
Good catch. Yes, sir. Yes, sir.
Thank you, Karen. Thank you, gentlemen.
It's a great team that works as well. Thank you.
And, and with the Water Reclamation district also.
So, um, uh, thank you very much.
Thank you, alderman Spotter.
Are there, and,
and also I just want to take this opportunity to thank all
of you all, uh, for, for being on the board.
We appreciate your civic duty, uh,
to our city and our county.
Thank you very much. Uh, so, um, if,
if there are not any oth any other questions?
Uh, oh, Al Alderman Viegas.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Um, I wanna say, uh, congratulations to the,
the appointees. Um,
Thank you Ottman, and looking forward
to continuing to collaborate.
The Public Building Commission is the construction
management arm for the city of Chicago,
and I think there's a, there's a, a good opportunity for,
um, to provide them some additional work so
that way we can ensure that, um,
we're getting projects done a lot quicker.
And so love to see
that the Public Building Commission be utilized a little bit
more, um, so that we can get a ton of projects completed.
So looking forward to working with the
move forward. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Thank you. Thank you. Alderman Dowell?
Yes. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I, uh, see that, uh, Mr. Ellis is not here,
but I wanted to, uh, vouch for him.
Uh, he is a member of, uh, local 10 0 1.
Um, many of us are familiar with him.
He's been a familiar face around CI City Hall, um, a great,
uh, uh, person who's always accessible
and someone that I think, uh, represents us well on,
uh, the PBC.
So, I, uh, move to pass on the reappointment of all three
of these individuals.
All those in favor signify by Yay.
Okay. Opposed? The ayes have it. Any opinion of the chair?
Thank you. Uh, thank you everyone.
Moving on to the remainder of, of Text Amendment
document number
0 2 0 2 4 0 1 0 9 8 2,
sponsored by Alder Men Kon.
The amendment of municipal code section one seven dash
14 dash 3 0 1 dash a,
allowing designation of alternate member
to zoning board of appeals in the event of vacancy.
Uh, this item has a substitute ordinance.
All committee members should have received a copy
of the substitute in a summary electronically,
and we'll find a copy in the packet before them.
Alderman LA makes a motion
to accept the substitute ordinance.
All those in favor say Aye.
Aye. Opposed nay.
And the opinion of the Charity Ice have it.
The substitute is before us.
We have Alderman Knin here to present on this matter.
Alderman Canin,
Thank you, chair. Um,
so this is a pretty simple ordinance solving
for a simple problem that's called caused some headaches.
Um, the zoning board of appeals, who I know we've all been
to as, as older people, is a board
that one day a month typically, um, sees 30
to 40 matters.
Uh, it's important that they're able to get those 30
to 40 matters through.
Usually there's a waiting list
or a queue leading up to those meetings.
And, um, uh, private citizens, developers,
business owners are all waiting to be heard.
In the past year and a half
or so, there's been an issue on the zoning board of appeals
where alternate members, um, which I will note,
I started out as an alternate member of the ZBA,
and then I became the chairperson.
Um, alternate members have not been able to sub in
as a regular member when there's a vacancy.
So basically, to play that hypothetical out,
we had a resignation to the, to the ZBA,
I'm a five person board.
So that resignation brought the board down
to four regular members.
We then had a member who needed to, a regular member
who needed to miss a number of meetings that brought the,
the regular board down to three members.
No matter what. You need three votes
to get a matter through the ZBA.
So the fact that an alternate was not able to sub in
for a regular member meant
that people were holding their matters.
They, they didn't have faith
that the three person board
would be three outta three votes.
So they were holding their matters.
It's just not good government or efficiency.
So the simple switch this makes is
that an alternate member can sub in for a vacancy.
There's two alternates.
There's currently two alternates,
and I believe we have two alternates appointed.
Um, we drafted this, um, with the help of, of LRB,
Michael Hallett, um, did the drafting.
Steven Vance, who I know is in the crowd, um,
uh, helped quite a bit.
And Alderman Lata also has been, um, helping throughout.
So, I'll, I'll take any questions.
If there's any questions on the legal language too,
I'd probably punt to LRB.
Are there any questions? Uh,
yeah. Al Alderman Hopkins.
Yeah, I wanna thank my, uh, colleague
and immediate neighbor for, uh, bringing this matter
to our attention and, and resolving it.
'cause it needs to be resolved. So thank you for doing that.
Uh, and at the appropriate time,
I'll offer a due pass motion.
Thank you, uh, Al Alderman Conway.
I would, I would, uh, simply say I, I, uh,
appreciate Alderman Udin bringing in, uh, bringing us some,
uh, good government common sense legislation that's not,
that's, that's gonna get absolutely no press, by the way,
but it's a, like, prominent Chicago reporter,
Maryanne Ahern is not gonna report on this matter,
for example, but it's a piece of, of good government
that we, that we will do, uh, that will just make our,
make our government work better.
So thank you for lending your expertise regard
to ZBA function, and I'm proud to support this. Thank you,
Alden.
Thank you, chair. Well, what a wonderful gauntlet
to throw down Alderman, uh, Conway.
I, I believe your, your challenge will be taken up,
but it is a, it is a great piece of legislation
as we've seen a lot of our residents work through the ZBA,
as I recall, alderman Knutson watching the months pass
before your success successor to the ZBA,
that vacancy was filled.
It solves so many problems in a clear, concise way
that costs the city nothing
and saves tens of thousands probably for the developers
and homeowners and property owners who need
to move their cases through this process.
Um, really grateful for the work you put into it.
Thank you so much. Thank you. Chair
Altman Lawson, vice Chair Lawson.
Uh, thank you Chair. I just, uh, I wanna thank my,
my neighbor and, and seatmate
as well for putting this together.
There's a, there's a lot more legalese
that goes into ZBA than a lot of people understand.
And so I know this wasn't a simple ordinance
to put together, and so thank you for taking it on.
Um, I will point out, uh, for Alderman Conway that this is,
I believe on the mayor's cut the tape agenda.
And so congratulations to you for continuing to move
that forward bit by bit.
I think there's a lot of things in there, uh,
that we all wanna work on.
So, uh, happy to give it to my support. Thanks chair.
So there was a, a motion by Alder
and Pat Dow to move do pass
Motion. And I just
wanna say never underestimate, uh,
Maryanne Ahern.
Okay. All those in favor,
ed by saying aye.
Aye. Those opposed an opinion of the chair.
The ayes have it. Thank you very much.
Um, moving on.
We have two historical landmark designations before us.
The first is doc number
0 2 0 2 4 0 0 1 0 5 9 1.
The historical landmark designation for the Jackson Storage
and Van Company warehouse at 36 0 9
dash 36 11 West Cmac Road in the 20 sec.
Second Ward, we have Matt Crawford
of the Historical Preservation Division of the Department
of Planning and Development to present this matter
and answer any questions. Matt?
Thank you, chairman Burnett,
and congratulations on your appointment.
Look forward to bringing Landmark matters to this committee,
uh, on occasion.
So for today, uh, my name is Matt Crawford,
coordinating planner with the
Department of Planning and Development.
The commission on Chicago Landmarks is recommended
to council that this building, the Jackson Storage
and Van Warehouse be designated as a Chicago Landmark.
It is located at 36 0 9 West Cmac Road in South Lawndale.
The structure was built in 1927
to safely store household goods.
Storage buildings like this emerged in the 1920s
as Chicagoans were moving more frequently
and consuming more household goods.
It's a really rare example
of Venetian Gothic architecture in Chicago.
Savvy moving companies like Jackson employed this kind
of stylish architecture to instill customer loyalty,
especially women who were in charge of household moves.
The building was recently purchased by Theater y.
You heard, uh, from Trish VanDerBeek who's on the board.
They are in complete support
and have requested this landmark designation.
They're rehabbing the building
and using it as a community theater.
It's located in the 22nd ward in Alderman
Rodriguez is supportive.
So on behalf of the Landmarks Commission,
I recommend passage of the ordinance.
Happy to answer any questions. Thank you.
Thank you. Uh, Mr. Crawford.
Any questions By committee members? All the women do,
It's a minor question. This
is a beautiful building.
What's the material at the top?
That's terracotta.
That is terracotta.
And is it all, uh, looks like it's all there.
It's all there. It's a amazing good condition
for a building of, of this vintage.
It's been reasonably well cared for.
And what the terracotta at the top is,
has an arabesque design, which was part
of Venice's connection with the Islamic world
And the new owner. What's his plan?
It's a community theater
and they are doing, uh, it's an ensemble based theater.
They're doing a lot of youth programming there.
It's it totally free theater.
Uh, so it's a very exciting, we did a tour last Saturday
with Alderman Rodriguez.
It's, uh, they're doing a, a lot
of great work in the community.
Thank you, Matt. Thank you Alderman LaSpada.
Thank you so much, chair. It really is gorgeous.
It really is truly gorgeous.
I was curious, does the historic land make
landmarking preserve the materials of the facade,
or does it also in perpetuity preserve the mosaic
character of the facade?
That's, that's a good question.
Alman Lata, you know, the terracotta is the material
that we see a lot in Chicago? No, no,
No. Like in between the
terracotta, the like brick face
where the windows are, where there's this one. Yeah, yeah,
Yeah, yeah. It's a tapestry
brick pattern.
And that is something
that is directly drawn from Venice Venice's architecture.
That pattern needs to be preserved.
Now if they need to replace bricks, that's fine,
but the color and the pattern would need to be maintained.
Excellent. Awesome. Thank you. Thank you chair.
Great, thank you. Any
other questions by committee members?
Uh, say none. Although the spot moves. Do pass.
All in favor, say aye. Any opposed, say nay.
And the chair, the ayes have it. We report it out.
We have been joined for purposes of Quorum
by Alderman Hall as well.
Anyone else? Don't think so.
Um, next is document number oh 2024 dash
0 0 1 1 6 9 4.
The historical landmark designation
for the Mars Candy Factory,
located at 2019 North Oak Park Avenue in the 29th Ward,
we have Candle and Han of the historic preservation division
of the Department of Planning
and Development to present this matter
and answer Any questions Han?
Yeah. Hi, Kendall
and Han Department of Planning and Development.
Thank you for, uh, in the introduction.
This is, uh, the Mars Candy Factory at 2019
North Oak Park Avenue.
It was built in 1929 as the headquarters
and Seoul manufacturing facility
of the fledgling candy company, Mars Inc.
It was designed by innovators
and industrial design, the Austin company
with a 1960 edition by CF Murphy,
the prominent modern architect responsible
for buildings like the Daily Center
and the Prudential Building and many other high profile
Chicago commissions.
The location has been a stalwart in the impressive history
of candy making in Chicago,
operating continuously for almost a century.
Later this year, operations will cease at this location.
And on July 11th,
the commission on Chicago Landmarks found the site met
criteria for heritage significant persons and architecture
and approved a final landmark recommendation
for the Mars Candy Factory.
I'm not sure all of the slides are there, so I apologize
for having to click through here.
Yeah, they seem not to have been there.
So I'm just gonna turn to the, uh, building itself.
Um, the factory was modest in scale
with a wide front lawn along Oak Park Avenue to integrate
with anticipated residential development.
And the result was a building
that looked more like a picturesque country club than a
manufacturing facility.
And the factory became an asset to the neighborhood
where many of the company's workers chose to live.
No, the Chicago factory produced some
of the nation's most popular
confections, starting with the Milky Way.
Snickers and three Musketeer bars were invented
and first produced at the Chicago site.
It's one of the last surviving, historic,
large scale candy manufacturing facilities in Chicago.
Frank Sey Mars founded Mars in 1911
and the Chicago facility was the result of his desire
to build, quote, the most beautiful candy
factory in America.
And quote, it was built in a Spanish revival style, um,
a popular residential style in the 1920s.
So its use in an industrial building made the
plant quite distinctive.
Its design became the benchmark
for every confectionary plant built in cities across the
United States after 1929
and influenced facility design In other industries,
the proposed ordinance would protect only the
front portion of the structure.
Mars Wrigley has consented to the designation
and Derman, Talia Faroh supports it.
I'm here to answer any questions you may have. Thank you.
Thank you very much. Um,
if there are no further questions by the
by committee members,
um, pardon me.
Oh, alderman Harris makes a motion Do
pass on this ordinance.
All in favor signify by saying aye. Those opposed?
And the opinion of the chair. The ayes have it. Thank you.
Next up we have large signs,
over a hundred square feet in area, 24 feet above grade.
We will hear them all together.
I will read the ward, followed by the address
and take a motion at the end in the first ward.
One sign each at 1819 West Division Street
and 2367 North Milwaukee.
Two signs in the fourth ward at 48.
22 South Cartridge Grove in the 11 ward.
33 30 West 26th Street
in the 22nd Ward at 37 50 West 26th Street
in the 25th Ward.
One sign each at 1815 South Pole
and 1805 South Pole in the 27 Ward.
One sign at 360 North Green Street.
Three signs in the 27 ward located at 3 6 2 West
Chicago Avenue.
Staying in the 27 Ward.
One sign each at 800 North Kenzie
and 9 35 West Chestnut
in the 29th Ward.
5,500 West Madison in the 32nd Ward.
29 34 North Ashland Avenue.
Two signs in the 35th Ward at
34 65 North Kimball.
Two signs in the 35th ward at 39 40 West Fullerton
staying in the 35th Ward.
One sign at 39 14 West Belmont.
Three signs in the 41st ward located at 85 0 1
West Higgins Road, staying in the 41st
8 38 Patton Drive in the 42nd Ward.
77 West Huron in the 43rd Ward,
one signed each at 2376 North Lincoln
and 27 62 North Lincoln.
Lastly, in the 50th ward,
one signed located at 71 30 Northwestern Avenue.
If there are no further questions by committee members,
alderman Larson makes a motion.
Do pass on the orders. All in favors say yay.
Aye. All opposed, the ayes have it
and the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it.
Moving on, we have two large signs, over 100 square feet
in, in, in area.
24 feet above grade to be substituted.
Alderman Larson moves to accept the substitute order
for a document number O2
0 2 4 0 1 2 3 8 4 44 50
North Clark and four document number
0 2 4 2 3 7 7
for the address commonly known
as 27 30 North Halstead Street.
All in favor of accepting the substitute ordinance, say aye.
Opposed the ayes habit.
Vice Chair Larson also moves due pass on the orders.
All in favor? I al already said that.
Oh, y'all keep saying it.
Vice Chairman Larson also moves Dupas on the orders.
All in favor say aye.
All the opposed the aye in the opinion of the chair.
The aye have it. We will now move on to the map amendments.
First up A Okay, first up
number A dash 8 8 9 1
in the 40th ward, uh,
ordinance referred 6 12 24
common address 6,100 dash 61 14 Northwestern
and 5,500 dash 60 14 Northwestern
and 66 0 0 1 dash
6 1 5 9 Northwestern, um,
change request from a C one two neighborhood commercial
district and C two two
motor vehicle related commercial district two B three three
Community shopping district.
I would like to remind committee members
that we saw a lengthy presentation on this initiative at
the September 17 committee hearing.
This was one of two items that were deferred due
to notification requirements.
We will now hear a brief recap of
that from Catherine heard of the Department
of Planning and Development.
Good, Mor. Good morning.
Um, Catherine heard from, well, is it still morning?
I'm not sure. Um, hello.
Catherine Heard from the Department of Planning
and Development just very briefly.
Um, in 2022, the department of planning
and development com completed a study that we co-led
a community plan for Western Avenue for about five miles,
uh, between Addison and Howard Street.
This ordinance is a part of the implementation of that plan.
It included land use recommendations among others,
but, um, this rezoning is, uh, is part of the implementation
of those land use recommendations.
Okay. Are there any questions by the committee?
If there's no further questions by the committee members?
Do I hear motion? Do pass by Alderman Lasa, move Do pass.
All in favor, say aye. All opposed And opinion of the chair?
The ayes have it. Number A
8 9 0 7 40 fifth Ward Ordinance referred
7 17 20 24 common address.
48 35 dash 41 North
Lips Avenue change request
from a C one three commercial neighborhood district
to a B three two Community shopping district.
Uh, witness is Patrick Murphy
Bin. Thank you Patrick Murphy
with the Department of Planning.
Uh, this is just a, uh, a sunset
of a previous type one ordinance.
Uh, we were in discussions with Alderman Gardner.
Uh, this is being done pursuant to, uh,
existing passages within the municipal code that, uh, allow
for type ones to be sunset, uh,
after two year period if, uh, actions are not taken pursuant
to the original content of the original Type one.
So Alderman Gardner is okay with this? Yes. Okay.
From what I understand, alderman Gardner is okay with this.
If there's no further questions
by committee members, do I hear motion?
Do pass, uh, alderman, um, do move, do pass.
All in favor say aye.
Uh, opposed nay
and opinion that the chairs of the ice have it.
Thank you. Um, now we'll move on to number
2 2 5 1 16 dash T one in the fourth ward
Horton is refers 7 17 20 24 Common address.
45 0 8 South Cottage Grove Avenue.
Change requests from a B one dash one Neighborhood Shopping
District to a B two dash three neighborhood
mixed use district.
Uh, counselor, uh, say your name for the record.
Yes, Mr. Chairman. Um, mark Kak. I'm an attorney.
I represent the applicant, John Grushka.
And before I begin, uh,
congratulations on your new appointment. Thank
You For the property.
45 0 8 South Cottage Grove.
As you'd mentioned, the zoning change, uh, in order
to allow the applicant to build a, a new mixed use building,
uh, commercial on the ground floor front seven dwelling
units, one
of those seven units is a handicap accessible unit.
In addition to the zoning chains, we're also asking
for an adjustment for a parking reduction.
This is a transit serve location.
It abuts the, uh, the bus route on Cottage Grove Avenue.
Cottage Grove, very robust.
Uh, uh, TSL bus route connects with the green line of 63rd,
the Metro Electric and the day in Ryan at 95th
and also downtown the metro at, uh, van Buren
and, uh, millennium Park.
So it's very good bus route.
Um, we're 45 0 8, uh, two buildings off the corner.
That corner is a traffic controlled, uh, signal
and there's two bus stops.
One north, one south at that intersection.
Just steps away from the subject property.
Um, uh, the two unique features that we're asking
for the parking reduction, number one are locked is uh,
170 feet long, but only 25 feet wide.
So the 25 foot width limits
how many parking spaces you'd be able to fit.
Also, we've got a handicap accessible unit.
So we've got a one car garage at the rear of the property
with a handicapped parking space
for the benefit of the occupant.
So that's our administrative adjustment.
Uh, accompanying the zoning change at the Altman's request,
we did, uh, attend a virtual community meeting
and, uh, explained the project, answer the questions, and
after that we followed up with the alderman.
Okay, thank you.
So, um, alderman Robinson is okay with this?
Yes. Okay.
So, um, if, if there are no further questions
by the committee members, do I hear motion for do pass
alderman LASA moves?
Do pass. All in favor, say aye.
Opposed and opinion of the charity? Aye. Have it.
Thank you counselor. Thank you.
Okay, we will move on to number two.
2 2 9 7 fifth Ward Ordinance referred
11 1 23.
Uh, common address 67 14 South Stony Island.
Um, change request from a B three five Community
shopping district to a C3 five commercial manufacturing
and employment district counselor.
20. Mr. Chairman, congratulations. Thank you.
Happy first day. Thank you.
I'm Sonia Anek from San EK Law on behalf
of the applicant 1937 Retail Holdings.
Applicant is requesting that a substitute application
and materials be allowed
to request an amendment from the City
of Chicago zoning map from B three five to C3 five
for the property located at the range of 67 14
to 67 24 South Stony Island Avenue if passed,
applicant will apply for a special use permit
for an adult use cannabis dispensary within the range
of addresses within that strip mall.
The subject site is located in the Fifth Ward.
The applicant is headquartered in the ward less than
two miles away.
With that the applicant has been engaging with the community
for the last three years holding specific community events
around a proposed cannabis dispensary starting in November
of 2023 and again in February, 2024.
The applicant continues to
participate in community cleanups, uh,
attending the alderman's town halls to continue
to communicate and to engage with the community.
And no opposition was received required notice did go out
and no objection was received.
I believe that Alderman Yancy has forwarded a letter
of support to the chair.
With that the applicant requests that the committee vote
to recommend the passage to the full city council.
So what I understand is, uh, alderman Yancy is in support
of this, um, is if there's no further questions
by committee members, do I hear motion to move?
Motion to pass. Uh, alderman Conway moves Do pass.
All in favor, say aye.
All opposed in opinion of the charity. Ayes have it now.
We'll move on. Thank you counselor.
We'll move on to number two.
2 4 7 8 in the eighth ward Ordinance refer
6 12 24 common address.
8 0 0 6 South Drexel
change request from a RS three residential single unit
detached house district two R
4.5 residential multi-unit district counselor.
Good morning chairman and members of the committee.
My name is Alfred Hanno, Q-U-I-J-A-N-O on behalf
of the applicant, GLI management consulting LLC
to my right if it's is its sole member John Golar.
Uh, we're here today in regards to the property address
of 8,006 South Drexel that's currently zoned RSS three.
Uh, the applicant's seeking a change
to change the zoning from RSS three to RM 4.5
to convert the property from three dwelling units
to an additional dwelling unit on the basement level to, uh,
include four total dwelling units.
Um, the additional dwelling unit will be in the basement.
Uh, there'll be no exterior, uh, changes to,
there'll be no exterior changes to the building
and the only changes will be to that basement unit.
Uh, my client did meet with, uh, alderman Harris
and her staff and did obtain a letter of support with
that I'll turn it over to the
committee if they have any questions.
Thank you. Alderman Harris, did you wanna say anything?
Okay. You're in support. Okay. Alright.
Uh, so Alderman Harris in support of this, uh,
is is there any questions by the committee?
Um, seeing, seeing none,
alderman Pat Dowell moves Do pass.
All in favor say aye.
All opposed, any opinion of the charity Ice Abbot.
Thank you. Thank you. Uh, now we move on
to number 2 2 4 0 7 in the ninth Ward
ordinance referred 4 17 24 Common
address, a hundred
and ninth 1 0 9 50 South Wentworth
a change request from the RSS three residential single unit
to a B two one neighborhood mixed use district.
Good morning, Mr. Chairman. Good
Morning, counselor.
I am, my name's Kareem Mu. So I'm a land use consultant.
I'm not a uh, attorney, so I have to state
that I'm told on the record.
I'm sorry, I'm not an attorney. Oh, I'm here on, yeah,
Play one on tv.
Okay, go, go for it. I'm
Sorry. I'm here
with Mr. Uh, Danny, Danny Smith.
He is a applicant for a, uh, app, uh, a map amendment
to rezone this property that he's owned
that's been his family for over 50 years.
Mr. Smith, his family bought this property when he graduated
from high school because he was, had shown an inclination
to be a barber and they established it
as his first barber shop.
Mr. Smith, uh, grew, grew his business at that location,
and then after, uh, his business got larger,
he bought a property on hundred 19th Street,
which was larger and he grew a business
where he employed over 17 barbers and, and beauty techs.
And, uh, that property had a fire in February.
And since then, he's been trying
to get his business back open.
So he resorted to this location that he still owns
and asked the alderman's permission to rezone it so
that he can establish this now smaller barbershop business
to get started again.
And that's what we're here for.
To rezone this from an RS three to a B two one in order
to reestablish Mr.
Smith's barbershop business.
Yes. Uh, okay. Okay.
So from what I understand, alderman
Alderman Bill is okay with this?
Uh, yes. Okay.
Um, so if, if, is, is there any,
uh, questions from the committee?
Seeing none, uh, alderman Larson moves Do pass.
All in favor, say aye. Aye.
All opposed, any opinion of the chair?
Ayes have it. Thank you. Thank
You.
Okay. Um, now we move on
to number 2 2 5 2 2 11.
Ward ordinance referred seven
dash one seven dash 24.
Uh, common address 33 7 South Morgan Street.
Change requests from a B12 neighborhood shopping district
to a C one one neighborhood commercial district.
Uh, to establish a tavern use small bar,
focusing on cocktails, da da da, um, counselor,
Uh, not a counselor. Hi,
I'm Alex. No, sorry, it's Sorry.
I'm the owner of Cares Listening Bar.
So, uh, I am asking for a change from a B one dash two
to a C one dash one.
I have met with, um, multiple members of my community.
I've been pursuing this for a couple months
now, having many meetings.
I've met with all the women, Lee and I have her support.
I believe you have a letter
or note from her stating that support.
Yes, we do. Yeah. Any questions? I'm happy to answer.
Yeah. Are there any questions by committee members?
Yes. Alderman Larson.
Tha thank you Chair. Uh,
what kind of vinyl are you playing?
Uh, we have a lot of Motown.
My mom's from the Detroit area. A lot of global funk.
Uh, we're partnered with 6 0 6 records out of Pilsen
and we're operating as a little bit
of a satellite shop for them.
Very nice. Very nice.
Move to pass if no one has anything else.
Okay. So Denman Larson's gonna have a party over there.
Out here.
Woman Lee. We are, we are very small.
Okay. All right.
Um, uh, is there any other further questions?
Seeing no further questions, uh, all Alder
and Lawson, move, do pass.
All in favor, say aye. All the opposed say nay.
And opinion of the chair. The aye. Have it. Now we move on.
Thank you, sir. Now we move on
to number 2, 2 5, 3 I, I'm sorry.
Number 2 2 5 23 dash T one
43rd Ward,
or is referred seven dash 17 dash 24.
Uh, common address.
2 6 0 2 6 North Clark Street.
Change request, um,
from a B one two neighborhood shopping district
to B three five.
Community shopping District counselor.
Uh, good morning. It is still morning for a few minutes.
Um, Katrina McGuire from Thompson Coburn here on behalf
of the applicant, Chicago Development Partners.
First off, um, chairman Burnett,
congratulations on your chairmanship role.
I hope you enjoy it. It's not an easy role.
Um, certainly appreciate you being there.
Um, just very briefly, uh,
with me today is Howard Weiner from
Chicago Development Partners.
Um, we are pleased to be presenting a project
at a key corner, um, in, um,
alderman Newton's Ward at 2,600 North Clark Street.
Um, I would just first ask that we, um,
have a substitute narrative
and plans, um, that have been submitted
to both staff and committee.
We'd ask that those be submitted into the record.
Sure. Alderman, um, alderman
Alderman Ramirez moved to accept the substitute narrative
and plans for the type one application.
All those in favor signify by Senate. Aye.
Those opposed any opinion of the charity? Ayes have it. Um,
Thank you. Thank you.
Um, just very briefly, this is a project
that proposes, um, to redevelop the site
with 66 residential units, uh, 13
of which will be affordable units, uh, 10 parking spaces.
In conjunction with this type one rezoning,
there are several elements of relief, um,
that are being sought in conjunction with it.
Um, due to the irregular shaped lot, uh, proximity
or adjacency to residential zone property, um,
and a challenging, um, Allie access, um, conditions.
So accordingly, um, we are requesting certain variations
and administrative adjustments, um,
in conjunction with the type one.
And with that we'd respectfully request, um, approval.
I know that Alderman Newtson is here
and I won't speak for him.
Okay.
Alderman Knutson. Thank you Chair and thank you Katrina
and Howard for, for being here.
So, um, from a community perspective, we brought this
to the ward a community meeting
a couple months ago now this community meeting was attended
by over 100 people, um,
because there's a lot of interest around this corner.
This corner people might know, used
to be affordable portables and dunley.
But for the past decade it's set mostly vacant.
Um, and, you know, coming into office I wanted
to reinvigorate our portion of Clark Street.
And I think to do so,
we've gotta build some good high quality units and,
and buildings that match where we want to go.
So Howard made, um, many compromises
to the community on this project.
He pushed the setback back.
I'm very interested in expanding our sidewalk with on Clark.
Um, and he softened the corner as well.
He agreed to what we're requiring on our larger
developments, which is 20% a RO units on site.
Um, and he committed to, um, a good amount
of sustainable materials.
We have a plan of operation in place for this project
that we drafted with the community organization, park West,
who's also in support.
Um, just ensuring that throughout the process
as we still do a traffic study, um, uh,
we will continue a conversation
and potentially make different operational changes.
Um, so I'm very excited about this, this building.
I hope it sets a, um, a tone for Clark Street
that Clark is open for good buildings in business.
And I'm excited about the future
of this corridor in our ward.
Fantastic. Okay, thank you.
Are there any, uh, questions about the committee?
Uh, alderman, the spotter, this
Test. Thank you Chair.
It really is a beautiful building.
I, I, if I may say, I feel like Seek continues
to bring really beautiful projects forward
before the zoning committee.
Uh, could you go, uh, to the front facing photo?
Yes, the ma the, the way the massing is structured,
the setbacks here, it's really beautiful.
I really love it. I'm so curious, like what kind of cladding
or facade materials we're looking at here.
Can anyone speak to that? Um,
The, the face of the building, can
You say your name for the record? Sorry.
Howard Weiner. I'm the developer.
Um, the corner where the alley is is brick all the way up.
And then along the first floor will be basically face brick,
although it's the narrower brick,
so it's only two inches tall and,
and long to cr to create some horizontal interest.
And then it's metal cladding, uh, as we go up the building
and on the other three sides.
Fantastic. It's a great piece of work.
Thanks. Appreciate it, Sir.
We're very proud. Thank you. Chair,
Vice, chair Lawson.
I don't think I've ever heard anyone call a setback.
Beautiful. So, congratulations.
Um, I did wanna ask, um, uh, where I,
I, I'm just northern here.
I drive the stretch when I'm driving a lot actually.
So where, where is your vehicular access at?
Um, CDOT is requiring, we do it at the alley, which is
between the two buildings.
That that's it right there. Yeah. Okay. Yeah. Okay.
And then, um, something else I think that's coming up, uh,
in a lot of our buildings is, is planning for loading.
Um, and I don't know if that's something that was one
of your variations or something that you're planning
for off street, but I know as we,
we look at larger buildings, especially the demographics
of younger people with a lot of things being delivered,
you know, how are we taking that into account?
So just curious how, how you've approached that here.
Well, that one, you know, is sort of in process.
We've, we, uh, we've commissioned a traffic study
and we've had preliminary conversations with cdot.
We haven't been able to do the traffic study sooner
because there's been a great deal of work on Wrightwood
and, uh, and Clark Street. Yeah,
Someone's called the Alderman about that, huh? Yeah, and
I've talked to him many, I've talked
to him many times. Good
Infrastructure.
I know, I know. We're all ready for it to be done.
No, I, I appreciate it. It's a good project
and happy to see, uh,
this come into Clark Street. Thank chair. Thanks.
Great. So, um, thank you.
Um, so, so you know this, this, this, uh, developer
sold the SkyBridge
to the West Loop when we didn't have any high
rises in the West Loop.
He's a good salesman. This guy. He's good. Anyway. Uh,
Good buildings alderman. It's not sales,
It is good building.
But anyway, I knew they was gonna turn that building down
and he, he turned them around.
So anyway, um, so if there's no further questions
by the committee, um, alderman Lopez moves D Pass,
CI Lopez moved.
D Pass. All in favor signify by saying aye. All opposed.
And the opinion of the charity ayes have it.
Uh, now we move on
to number 2, 2 5 2 8 7 1.
I mean T one, uh,
in the 47 ward ordinance refers
7 17 4.
Document number
2 2 4 0 1 1 5 3
common address, 37 10 dash 37 14
North Ashland Avenue,
change request from a C 12 neighborhood commercial district
to a B two five neighborhood mixed use district A a new
four story, 21 residential unit building.
Hi, good afternoon. Corry O'Hara on behalf
of Correct Builders Corp.
And I'm also, um, one of the developers of this,
I mean one of the shareholders of it.
And, uh, I'm part of the company.
So you, you are a zoning attorney?
No, I'm not a zoning at, I'm an attorney,
but I'm not a zoning attorney.
Alright, you have a substitute narrative implant, correct?
Yes, yes. Okay.
So, um, alderman Larson moves
to accept the substitute narrative
and plans for the type one application.
All those in favor signify by saying aye.
Opposed in the opinion of the chair, the ice have it.
Um, that's it.
So, um, you wanna explain the building? Yes.
Well, what we are, what what we want
to develop is a 21 unit residential building.
And the reason we need the the B three five designation is
because we're going to have, we would like
to have seven efficiency units, seven one bedroom
and seven two bedroom units.
Um, four of which are going to be affordable
to meet the 20% requirement.
Um, this will,
this will just enhance the ability of more people,
more younger people to be able to afford living in the city
with the efficiency units, um, that are, um,
partially that are, um, have a lot of built-ins.
And, um, so this will, it just, the,
the footprint of the building is the same footprint
as all the, as the ba basically the two bedroom,
two bath units, uh, buildings.
It's the same square footage.
But by adding the efficiency units,
we are really just increasing the sustainability
of this building and enabling people to afford this,
building up their units, uh, now
and for the next a hundred years, um,
with this solid structure.
So from what I understand, uh,
alderman Martin is okay with this?
Yes. Okay.
Is there, are there any questions by committee members?
Yes. Altman Larson
Last time, I swear chair.
Um, uh, good project.
I know we've been going residential high density
on Ashland for a long time.
The 44th ward was across the street until just last year.
I wanted to ask though a about, uh,
did we do a low affordability designation for this project?
Um, which enables the, the property tax, um,
abatements or or freeze for this?
No. No. Okay, great. That's it.
I know that's come up on, on some other projects in the area
when, when they're doing all the affordable on site,
they get the, the tax credit from the state. Um,
Yeah. Are you
familiar with that? No.
The tax credits from the state? No.
You better get on top of that, man.
I better get on Top of that.
So I thought I'd saw, think my dance somewhere.
It was surprised for just four units
if it was still of available.
So that answers my question. I'll move, do pass. Thank
You. Thank you. Thank
you. So, so Alderman Larson moved.
Do pass. All in favor say aye. All opposed.
And the opinion of the chair? The aye have it.
Thank you. What about that one?
We did this beginning.
Oh. So guys, I'm so sorry.
Um, we, we, so guys, um, I'm
so sorry I don't have anything else.
I know this is shocking for the zoning committee,
alderman Larson, make Al
Larson make a motion that we adjourn.
All those in favor signify by saying aye.
All those opposed the ice habit. Don't get used to it. Okay.
I need to talk to you, you and I want
to thank all the staff for helping me to do this.
Thank you guys very much.