Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards meeting, April 16, 2024
- When: Tue, Apr 16, 2024, 10:00 AM (Chicago time)
- Where: City Council Chamber, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 121 North LaSalle Street - Chicago, IL 60602
- Status: Scheduled & Published
- Committee: Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards
- Video: https://vimeo.com/showcase/8928576/video/935051346
- Transcript: full text (30,620 words, official captions)
Meeting notes
AI-written from the transcript. Speakers are inferred from cues in the recording, so treat names as estimates and check the video at the linked time.
The Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards deferred a list of map amendments and then heard public comment, much of it supporting a citywide expansion of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and much of it opposing a proposed rezoning at 5400 North Ashland Avenue. The committee heard testimony and remarks from many alderpersons in support of the appointment of Marlene Hopkins as Commissioner of the Department of Buildings, and the appointment was passed. A substitute ADU expansion ordinance was accepted on the record and deferred, with the chair anticipating a subject matter hearing. The committee also passed the landmark designation of Apollo's 2000, several large signs, and a series of zoning map amendments including the 5400 North Ashland rezoning, while deferring several other items.
Topics: Commissioner of Buildings appointment, accessory dwelling units, 5400 North Ashland rezoning, Apollo's 2000 landmark designation, zoning map amendments, affordable housing, cut the tape initiative, large signs, public comment
Agenda items discussed
- 24:18 Deferral of multiple zoning map amendments read into the record: deferred
- 26:19 Public comment period: discussed
- 59:18 Appointment of Marlene Hopkins as Commissioner of the Department of Buildings (A2024-0008369): passed
- 1:53:12 Substitute ordinance expanding the city's ADU policies (substitute accepted, no discussion or vote): deferred
- 1:54:27 Chicago Landmark designation for Apollo's 2000, 2875 West Cermak Road: passed
- 1:57:33 Large signs over 100 square feet in the 44th, 45th and 47th Wards: passed
- 1:58:30 Map amendment at 1416 North Maplewood (1st Ward): deferred
- 1:58:57 Map amendment at 3508 West Armitage Avenue (26th Ward): passed
- 1:59:51 Type 1 map amendment at 6206 West Balmoral and 5404 North Ashland Avenue (40th Ward): passed
- 2:09:57 Type 1 map amendment at 2701-15 West Touhy Avenue (50th Ward): passed
- 2:13:09 Map amendments at 3955 North Kilpatrick/3865 North Milwaukee (45th Ward) and 2418-2426 Milwaukee Avenue (1st Ward): deferred
- 2:14:02 Type 1 map amendment at 1352 West Diversey Parkway (32nd Ward): passed
- 2:17:18 Map amendment at 4500 South Michigan Avenue, the Swift Mansion (3rd Ward): passed
- 2:19:18 Map amendment at 3015-17 North Lincoln Avenue (32nd Ward): passed
- 2:22:12 Map amendment at 6529-6533 South Stewart Avenue (6th Ward): passed
- 2:23:09 Type 1 map amendment at 1806 North Monticello Avenue (26th Ward): passed
- 2:25:15 Type 1 map amendment at 1800-1804 North Monticello Avenue (26th Ward): passed
- 2:26:36 Type 1 map amendments at 8707-09 and 8719 South Houston Avenue (10th Ward): passed
- 2:28:09 Map amendment at 2847-53 South Hillock Avenue (11th Ward), amended to Type 1: passed
- 2:30:45 Type 1 map amendment at 3015-17 North Southport Avenue (32nd Ward): passed
- 2:35:12 Map amendment at 2286 South Blue Island Avenue (25th Ward): passed
- 2:37:01 Type 1 map amendment at 1946-48 West 63rd Street (16th Ward): passed
- 2:39:30 Type 1 map amendment at 3244-50 West Bryn Mawr Avenue (39th Ward): passed
- 2:45:18 Type 1 map amendment at 1157 West Grand Avenue (27th Ward): passed
- 2:47:27 Type 1 map amendment at 455 North Carpenter (27th Ward): passed
Alderpersons who spoke
- Bennett R. Lawson (chair): Set a two-minute limit for public comment speakers in order to hear everyone who signed up. (26:27); Thanked the acting commissioner for discussions on treating owner-occupied vacant structures differently from investment properties and said he expected the department back on cut the tape items. (1:51:15); Said he anticipated a subject matter hearing on the ADU expansion, perhaps next month, with discussions continuing toward passage, hopefully in the summer. (1:54:06)
- Michelle A. Harris (alderperson): Spoke in strong support of Marlene Hopkins, describing her as responsive and knowledgeable about the building code, permits, inspections and demolitions. (1:20:16)
- Anthony Beale (alderperson): Said he rearranged his day to support Marlene Hopkins and that she had effectively served as the department's go-to leader for many years. (1:22:27)
- Brian Hopkins (alderperson): Expressed full support for the nomination, citing her experience in city government, and urged colleagues to make it unanimous. (1:24:15); Made a do-pass motion on the Southport item and commended the chair and committee staff for the new color-coded document format. (2:33:03)
- David H. Moore (alderperson): Asked the acting commissioner how long she had worked for the city and where she started, prompting her to describe her career path. (1:26:03); Asked her to describe the community service work mentioned by a previous witness. (1:28:18); Recalled a flooded building in the 17th Ward before a holiday and asked how often and how she makes decisions about whether residents must relocate. (1:29:57)
- William Conway (alderperson): Echoed colleagues in praising her expertise and accessibility, noting state legislators also consult her as a subject matter expert. (1:34:18)
- Angela Clay (alderperson): Said the acting commissioner had helped her dense ward with building problems and came with solutions. (1:35:18); Asked what preventative measures and Department of Buildings resources alderpersons could use when residents bring housing issues. (1:36:06)
- Pat Dowell (alderperson): Said the appointment was long overdue, praised her availability on vacant buildings, fires and permits, and urged a unanimous vote. (1:37:24); Supported the rezoning of the fire-damaged Swift Mansion in Bronzeville to return it to residential use. (2:18:18)
- Ruth Cruz (alderperson): Supported the appointment, describing a 30th Ward case involving utilities and mental health assistance that was handled with care, and read a resident's comment about standards applied to women of color. (1:39:06)
- Brendan Reilly (alderperson): Thanked the acting commissioner for help with central business district challenges and responsiveness. (1:42:18); Asked that the department prioritize an online payment portal, offering City Council support. (1:43:04)
- Walter R. Burnett (alderperson): Supported the appointment and said the department is important for development and should help permits move efficiently under the cut the tape initiative. (1:43:54); Supported the 1157 West Grand rezoning, saying the owner is only using the first floor and community organizations support it. (2:46:54); Supported the 455 North Carpenter project, saying the developer met with the neighbors' organization and made requested adjustments. (2:49:18)
- Daniel La Spata (alderperson): Said the cut the tape work is about on-the-ground changes that speed business openings and projects, and that the acting commissioner understands the bureaucracy. (1:46:09); Asked whether the Touhy Avenue building would have ground-floor parking and how the rear setback relates to interior parking. (2:12:06); Seconded the praise for the new format, appreciated renderings, and asked about the design of the Southport building. (2:33:39)
- Gilbert Villegas (alderperson): Said his office has relied on her over three terms and described the department as an economic development department that should permit projects quickly. (1:47:21)
- Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth (alderperson): Supported the appointment, citing help with troubled buildings and fires on Sheridan Road, and agreed the online data portal should be modernized. (1:48:39)
- Andre Vasquez Jr. (alderperson): Described the 40th Ward zoning review process of community meetings and feedback forms used for the Ashland proposal. (2:04:16); Explained the original proposal of 18 units and 66 feet was not supported, and the revised plan reduced it to 15 units, 3 affordable units, 57 feet and 7 parking spaces. (2:06:03); Said a six-unit building would yield no affordable units, while this proposal adds three in an area he said needs more economic and racial diversity. (2:07:48)
- Jessica L. Fuentes (alderperson): Said the Armitage item went through her ward's community engagement and zoning committee process and she supports it. (1:59:21); Supported the Monticello applicant, a long-time ward resident, as building naturally occurring affordable housing. (2:24:15); Said building three-flats on vacant lots serves multi-generational families in a part of the ward affected by gentrification near the 606 trail. (2:25:51)
Exchanges between members
- 1:21:54 Alderperson Michelle A. Harris thanked the chair for allowing her to speak.
- 1:33:48 Alderperson David H. Moore said he concurred with Alderman Brian Hopkins on supporting the appointment.
- 1:38:51 Alderperson Pat Dowell urged colleagues, as Alderman Brian Hopkins did, to vote unanimously for the appointment.
- 1:39:15 Alderperson Ruth Cruz echoed Alderman Angela Clay comments about help given to newly elected members.
- 1:43:48 Alderperson Brendan Reilly thanked Chairman Bennett R. Lawson.
- 1:46:12 Alderperson Daniel La Spata built on the vice mayor's comments about the cut the tape work.
- 1:50:06 Alderperson Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth agreed with Chair Gilbert Villegas on modernizing the online portal.
- 1:50:06 Alderperson Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth agreed with Alderman Brendan Reilly on modernizing the online data portal system.
- 1:50:36 Alderperson Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth said she appreciated Alderwoman Ruth Cruz words about being in these spaces for the first time.
- 2:33:39 Alderperson Daniel La Spata seconded Alderman Brian Hopkins point about the new document format.
- 2:34:42 The chair responded to Alderperson Daniel La Spata design question, noting the building's unique look and that his ward is nearby.