# Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards meeting, March 11, 2025

- When: Tue, Mar 11, 2025, 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](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/committee/zoning-landmarks-and-building-standards)
- Video: https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/1064416635
- Transcript: [full text](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/transcripts/1064416635.txt) (20,604 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, chaired by Alderperson Walter R. Burnett with Vice Chair Bennett R. Lawson presiding over parts of the meeting, deferred a list of items including the Old Town development at 1601 North Wells and later 3200 West Carroll, and heard eight public commenters on topics including animal care and control, a proposed rezoning of a former Walgreens at 71st and Jeffery, a church landmark grant, and the Old Town development. The committee recommended landmark designation of the Rector Building at 79 West Monroe, which Alderperson William Conway described as the first project of the LaSalle Street revitalization, and two Adopt-a-Landmark grants for First Baptist Congregational Church ($1.464 million, with the chair recusing as a deacon) and Greater Union Baptist Church ($750,000). It approved a set of sign orders and roughly 30 map amendments, including Alderperson Desmon C. Yancy rezoning of the 71st and Jeffery site to residential, a boutique hotel at 3255-57 North Halsted, and a deconversion at 1614 South Carpenter that a neighbor opposed and that DPD staff said it had recommended against under the Pilsen overlay; Alderperson Daniel La Spata raised concerns about use of B2-1 zoning for deconversions. Alderperson Pat Dowell asked that applicants return to giving presentations, and the chair said items without presentations would be moved to the end of the agenda.

Topics: zoning map amendments, landmark designation, Adopt-a-Landmark grants, deconversion and Pilsen overlay, accessory dwelling units, Halsted hotel, 71st and Jeffery rezoning, public comment

### Agenda items discussed

- [26:03](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/79D7FF4E-B9EF-EF11-BE20-001DD83045C9?t=1563) Deferral of listed items including 251 North Clark, 1600 North Wells (Old Town), 5434 North Clark and others: deferred
- [52:42](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/79D7FF4E-B9EF-EF11-BE20-001DD83045C9?t=3162) Landmark designation of the Rector Building, 79 West Monroe Street: passed
- [57:46](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/79D7FF4E-B9EF-EF11-BE20-001DD83045C9?t=3466) Adopt-a-Landmark grant agreement with First Baptist Congregational Church, 1613 West Washington Boulevard (O2025-0015539): passed
- [1:03:59](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/79D7FF4E-B9EF-EF11-BE20-001DD83045C9?t=3839) Adopt-a-Landmark grant agreement with Greater Union Baptist Church, 1956 West Warren Boulevard: passed
- [1:10:03](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/79D7FF4E-B9EF-EF11-BE20-001DD83045C9?t=4203) Sign orders in multiple wards: passed
- [1:11:53](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/79D7FF4E-B9EF-EF11-BE20-001DD83045C9?t=4313) Map amendment A-8936: 2007 East 71st Street / 7109 South Jeffery Boulevard, B3-3 to RM5 (5th Ward): passed
- [1:13:29](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/79D7FF4E-B9EF-EF11-BE20-001DD83045C9?t=4409) Map amendment A-8935: 1542-1550 West Chicago Avenue, B1-3 to B1-2 (1st Ward): passed
- [1:14:26](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/79D7FF4E-B9EF-EF11-BE20-001DD83045C9?t=4466) Map amendment 22672: 13258 South Houston Avenue (10th Ward): passed
- [1:17:21](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/79D7FF4E-B9EF-EF11-BE20-001DD83045C9?t=4641) Map amendment 22659: 4241 North Ravenswood Avenue, Koval Distillery (47th Ward): passed
- [1:21:41](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/79D7FF4E-B9EF-EF11-BE20-001DD83045C9?t=4901) Map amendment 22688: North Western Avenue, RS3 to RT4 (47th Ward): passed
- [1:23:08](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/79D7FF4E-B9EF-EF11-BE20-001DD83045C9?t=4988) Map amendment 22657: 2053 West Irving Park Road mixed-use building (47th Ward): passed
- [1:27:00](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/79D7FF4E-B9EF-EF11-BE20-001DD83045C9?t=5220) Map amendment 22641: 3255-3257 North Halsted Street boutique hotel (44th Ward): passed
- [1:33:42](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/79D7FF4E-B9EF-EF11-BE20-001DD83045C9?t=5622) Map amendment 22662: North Lincoln Avenue (40th Ward): passed
- [1:35:18](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/79D7FF4E-B9EF-EF11-BE20-001DD83045C9?t=5718) Map amendment 22677: North Lincoln Avenue / Winnemac, 47-unit building (40th Ward): passed
- [1:39:59](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/79D7FF4E-B9EF-EF11-BE20-001DD83045C9?t=5999) Map amendment 22691: 1313-15 West Taylor Street (28th Ward): passed
- [1:41:45](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/79D7FF4E-B9EF-EF11-BE20-001DD83045C9?t=6105) Map amendment 22675: 2129 West 18th Place (25th Ward): passed
- [1:45:02](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/79D7FF4E-B9EF-EF11-BE20-001DD83045C9?t=6302) Map amendment 22687: 1355 West 16th Street (25th Ward): passed
- [1:48:00](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/79D7FF4E-B9EF-EF11-BE20-001DD83045C9?t=6480) Map amendment 22670: 3930 North Nordica Avenue (38th Ward): passed
- [1:50:32](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/79D7FF4E-B9EF-EF11-BE20-001DD83045C9?t=6632) Map amendments 22668 and 22669: 6945-6955 West Grand Avenue (36th Ward): passed
- [1:56:12](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/79D7FF4E-B9EF-EF11-BE20-001DD83045C9?t=6972) Map amendment 22671 (11th Ward), 16-unit residential building near Archer Orange Line: passed
- [1:59:26](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/79D7FF4E-B9EF-EF11-BE20-001DD83045C9?t=7166) Map amendment 22581: 1614 South Carpenter Street, RT4 to B2-1 Type 1 single-family deconversion (25th Ward): passed
- [2:13:23](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/79D7FF4E-B9EF-EF11-BE20-001DD83045C9?t=8003) Map amendment A-8937: 442-448 West Root Street, C1-5 to RS3 (11th Ward): passed
- [2:15:59](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/79D7FF4E-B9EF-EF11-BE20-001DD83045C9?t=8159) Map amendment 22666: 4249 West Augusta (37th Ward): passed
- [2:17:50](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/79D7FF4E-B9EF-EF11-BE20-001DD83045C9?t=8270) Map amendment: 2719 West Augusta Boulevard fire-damaged two-flat (36th Ward): passed
- [2:20:37](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/79D7FF4E-B9EF-EF11-BE20-001DD83045C9?t=8437) Map amendment 22661: 8028 South Lafayette Avenue three-flat (17th Ward): passed
- [2:23:04](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/79D7FF4E-B9EF-EF11-BE20-001DD83045C9?t=8584) Map amendment 22644: 1317 North Ashland Avenue adaptive reuse (1st Ward): passed
- [2:28:54](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/79D7FF4E-B9EF-EF11-BE20-001DD83045C9?t=8934) Map amendment 22663: 5260 West Congress Parkway basement unit (29th Ward): passed
- [2:31:16](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/79D7FF4E-B9EF-EF11-BE20-001DD83045C9?t=9076) Map amendment 22667: 4456 South Hermitage Avenue for retail tobacco license (15th Ward): passed
- [2:33:21](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/79D7FF4E-B9EF-EF11-BE20-001DD83045C9?t=9201) Map amendment 22664: West 15th Street six-unit building (28th Ward): passed
- [2:35:19](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/79D7FF4E-B9EF-EF11-BE20-001DD83045C9?t=9319) Map amendment 22678: 3200 West Carroll Street: deferred
- [2:35:52](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/79D7FF4E-B9EF-EF11-BE20-001DD83045C9?t=9352) Map amendment 22686: 2606 South Peoria Street, 29-unit building (11th Ward): passed
- [2:37:46](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/79D7FF4E-B9EF-EF11-BE20-001DD83045C9?t=9466) Map amendment 22689: South Emerald Avenue (11th Ward): passed
- [2:40:00](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/79D7FF4E-B9EF-EF11-BE20-001DD83045C9?t=9600) Map amendments 22680 and 22684: West Carroll Avenue artist studios (27th Ward): passed
- [2:44:06](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/79D7FF4E-B9EF-EF11-BE20-001DD83045C9?t=9846) Map amendment 22676: 1114 West Grand Avenue (27th Ward): passed
- [2:45:46](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/79D7FF4E-B9EF-EF11-BE20-001DD83045C9?t=9946) Map amendment 22658: 1819 South Main Street (25th Ward): passed
- [2:47:34](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/79D7FF4E-B9EF-EF11-BE20-001DD83045C9?t=10054) Map amendment 22665: 2017 South California Avenue (25th Ward): passed
- [2:49:37](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/79D7FF4E-B9EF-EF11-BE20-001DD83045C9?t=10177) Map amendment 22679: 5652-54 West 64th Place (13th Ward): passed

### Alderpersons who spoke

- [Walter R. Burnett](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/27) (chair): Recused himself from the First Baptist Congregational Church grant under Rule 14 because he is a deacon at the church. ([57:46](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/79D7FF4E-B9EF-EF11-BE20-001DD83045C9?t=3466)); Supported the Greater Union Baptist grant, saying it is fitting to preserve the church as development grows around it, and thanked DPD and the mayor's office. ([1:06:53](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/79D7FF4E-B9EF-EF11-BE20-001DD83045C9?t=4013)); Told applicant attorneys that items without presentations would be moved to the back of the agenda, citing Alderperson Pat Dowell request. ([1:45:51](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/79D7FF4E-B9EF-EF11-BE20-001DD83045C9?t=6351))
- [Bennett R. Lawson](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/44) (alderperson): Supported the Halsted hotel as the first on Halsted in his ward, citing local owners, a robust community process and a good neighbor agreement. ([1:32:18](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/79D7FF4E-B9EF-EF11-BE20-001DD83045C9?t=5538)); Asked how the Carpenter Street case differs from single-family homes built in his ward and how often deconversions occur in the overlay zone. ([2:08:22](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/79D7FF4E-B9EF-EF11-BE20-001DD83045C9?t=7702)); Asked when the Root Street lot was listed on ChiBlockBuilder and how long it took to reach committee. ([2:14:41](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/79D7FF4E-B9EF-EF11-BE20-001DD83045C9?t=8081))
- [William Conway](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/34) (alderperson): Called the Rector Building the first project of the LaSalle Street revitalization, adding needed downtown housing, and thanked the mayor's office, DPD and the landmarks commission. ([56:05](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/79D7FF4E-B9EF-EF11-BE20-001DD83045C9?t=3365))
- [Pat Dowell](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/3) (alderperson): Asked whether Adopt-a-Landmark grants cover a set percentage of costs and when the next funding round will be. ([1:01:46](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/79D7FF4E-B9EF-EF11-BE20-001DD83045C9?t=3706)); Congratulated her colleague on the two West Side church grants and confirmed the Greater Union grant also covers 100 percent of costs. ([1:08:44](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/79D7FF4E-B9EF-EF11-BE20-001DD83045C9?t=4124)); Asked who the architect was for the West Grand Avenue buildings, saying she liked the design. ([1:55:04](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/79D7FF4E-B9EF-EF11-BE20-001DD83045C9?t=6904))
- [Daniel La Spata](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/1) (alderperson): Asked whether Greater Union Baptist is outside the 1901 planned development and said future phases should avoid crowding the church. ([1:07:51](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/79D7FF4E-B9EF-EF11-BE20-001DD83045C9?t=4071)); Explained his Chicago Avenue amendment corrects a lapsed Type 1 so future proposals can be considered. ([1:13:52](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/79D7FF4E-B9EF-EF11-BE20-001DD83045C9?t=4432)); Asked whether RM4.5 zoning permits transit-served parking relief under the municipal code. ([1:43:56](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/79D7FF4E-B9EF-EF11-BE20-001DD83045C9?t=6236))
- [Desmon C. Yancy](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/5) (alderperson): Said the former Walgreens at 71st and Jeffery closed February 27 and that, after consulting colleagues and DPD, he sought rezoning to have more say over what replaces it, rather than another dollar store. ([1:12:20](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/79D7FF4E-B9EF-EF11-BE20-001DD83045C9?t=4340))
- [Byron Sigcho-López](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/25) (alderperson): Said the Carpenter Street Type 1 locks in a single-family home, not a commercial use, for a long-vacant building with code violations, and urged neighbors to resolve damage disputes through their attorneys. ([2:05:14](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/79D7FF4E-B9EF-EF11-BE20-001DD83045C9?t=7514))
- [Nicole T. Lee](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/11) (alderperson): Requested rezoning of a ChiBlockBuilder lot on Root Street to RS3 so a new single-family home can be built on a block of single-family homes. ([2:14:07](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/79D7FF4E-B9EF-EF11-BE20-001DD83045C9?t=8047))
- [David H. Moore](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/17) (alderperson): Said the two neighbors adjacent to the Lafayette Avenue three-flat had concerns but gave approval after a meeting, and asked for favorable consideration. ([2:22:18](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/79D7FF4E-B9EF-EF11-BE20-001DD83045C9?t=8538))

### Exchanges between members

- [1:07:51](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/79D7FF4E-B9EF-EF11-BE20-001DD83045C9?t=4071) Alderperson Daniel La Spata thanked the chair for his comments on the Greater Union Baptist Church.
- [1:08:44](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/79D7FF4E-B9EF-EF11-BE20-001DD83045C9?t=4124) Alderperson Pat Dowell congratulated her colleague on the two West Side church grants.
- [1:31:52](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/79D7FF4E-B9EF-EF11-BE20-001DD83045C9?t=5512) The chair asked Alderperson Bennett R. Lawson about a flag on the hotel building, and Alderperson Bennett R. Lawson described rainbow crosswalks and pylons on the street.
- [1:45:51](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/79D7FF4E-B9EF-EF11-BE20-001DD83045C9?t=6351) The chair cited Alderperson Pat Dowell request that applicants provide presentations.
- [2:09:17](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/79D7FF4E-B9EF-EF11-BE20-001DD83045C9?t=7757) Alderperson Daniel La Spata built on the point raised by Alderperson Bennett R. Lawson about deconversions in overlay areas.
- [2:14:41](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/79D7FF4E-B9EF-EF11-BE20-001DD83045C9?t=8081) Alderperson Bennett R. Lawson asked Alderperson Nicole T. Lee when the Root Street lot was listed on ChiBlockBuilder.
- [2:22:13](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/79D7FF4E-B9EF-EF11-BE20-001DD83045C9?t=8533) The chair invited Alderperson David H. Moore to comment on the Lafayette Avenue application.

## Documents

- [Agenda](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/meetingattachmentspublic/71cd41d1-da1c-4681-8450-6e38d52d1c32.pdf)
- [Agenda](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/meetingattachmentspublic/70739eb5-aa39-4696-a432-474befedf19a.pdf)
- [Summary](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/meetingattachmentspublic/5c4f123a-5d35-4cac-8af1-352706cd637c.pdf)
- [Notice](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/meetingattachmentspublic/871e143e-ee39-4cc2-9208-4ba3c9d48620.pdf)

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Source: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/79D7FF4E-B9EF-EF11-BE20-001DD83045C9 · Chicago Politics, an independent, nonpartisan tracker of the Chicago City Council. Guide for agents: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/llms.txt