Committee on Housing and Real Estate meeting, June 12, 2023
- When: Mon, Jun 12, 2023, 11:00 AM (Chicago time)
- Where: City Council Chamber, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 121 North LaSalle Street - Chicago, IL 60602
- Status: Scheduled & Published
- Committee: Committee on Housing and Real Estate
- Video: https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/831985709
- Transcript: full text (14,856 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 Housing and Real Estate heard three public commenters on homeownership, affordable housing and homelessness, then approved the April 2023 Rule 45 report. Members recommended passage of an amendment expanding the Building Neighborhoods and Affordable Homes purchase price assistance program, after questions about outreach, eligibility and funding sources. The sale and loan assumption for the Highland Tudor Manor senior apartments in the 5th Ward was held to the end of the meeting at the request of Alderperson Desmon C. Yancy and then recommended for passage conditioned on a briefing with him. The committee also recommended passage of a deed-restriction release, an extension of the Laramie State Bank building protection agreement, several city land sales including adjacent-neighbor lot sales, and a mixed-use development at 47th Street, while the Harvest Food Group land sale in the 12th Ward was deferred.
Topics: public comment, purchase price assistance, affordable senior housing, city land sales, Adjacent Neighbors Land Acquisition Program, building sustainability, Laramie State Bank, 47th Street development, deed restrictions
Agenda items discussed
- 36:35 Rule 45 report for April 2023: passed
- 37:04 Amendment to Building Neighborhoods and Affordable Homes purchase price assistance program, increasing grants and funding: passed
- 49:24 Restructuring and transfer of Highland Tudor Manor Apartments, 7010-7018 South Cregier Avenue, 5th Ward: passed
- 1:05:38 Release of city deed restrictions on property at 2236 West Adams Street, 27th Ward: passed
- 1:08:56 First amendment to right of entry and building maintenance and protection agreement for Laramie State Bank, 5206 West Chicago Avenue, 37th Ward: passed
- 1:16:53 Sale of city-owned property at 4451 South Calumet Avenue to Echo Development Group, 3rd Ward: passed
- 1:22:40 Sale of city-owned property at 436 East 42nd Place to RZS Properties, 3rd Ward: passed
- 1:35:50 Sale of city-owned property at 1924 West 46th Street to Harvest Food Group, 12th Ward: deferred
- 1:36:59 Sale of city-owned property at 3012 East 79th Place, 7th Ward: passed
- 1:39:45 Adjacent neighbor land sale at 1254 South Springfield Avenue, 24th Ward: passed
- 1:43:01 Adjacent neighbor land sale at 2831 West 25th Place, 24th Ward: passed
- 1:44:45 Adjacent neighbor land sale at 4466 South Wells Street, 20th Ward: passed
- 1:47:35 Adjacent neighbor land sale at 929 North Hamlin Avenue, 27th Ward: passed
- 1:49:22 Adjacent neighbor land sale at 814 South Keeler Avenue, 24th Ward: passed
- 1:51:04 Adjacent neighbor land sale at 2134 South Millard Avenue, 24th Ward: passed
- 1:52:45 Redevelopment agreement and sale of city-owned parcels at 601-621 East 47th Street for six-story mixed-use building, 4th Ward: passed
Alderpersons who spoke
- Byron Sigcho-López (chair): Responded to a public commenter that he would connect with the housing committee to address residents' needs across the city. (36:14); Stated the Highland Tudor Manor item was recommended conditioned on a Department of Housing briefing with Alderperson Desmon C. Yancy to address remaining concerns. (1:16:40); Told the developer the committee would like to work with them on best practices for sustainability and renewable energy in buildings. (1:34:29)
- Jeanette B. Taylor (alderperson): Said she supports the direction of the purchase assistance program but is concerned residents do not know about it, and asked about advertising and work with NHS. (41:42); Asked about the new owner's portfolio, plans to keep senior residents comfortable during upgrades, and requested photos of the property. (58:03); Asked that the department convene a meeting with residents and explained how it ensures upgraded properties are maintained. (1:00:36)
- Walter R. Burnett (alderperson): Asked why buildings with HERO units are excluded from the program and noted some such units in his ward are hard to sell. (44:29); Asked what the other eligible programs are and how many qualifying units exist, and requested a follow-up meeting. (45:58); Said the West Adams applicant is a contributing community member who did not know of the restriction when buying and wants to pay the difference, and expressed support. (1:08:04)
- Pat Dowell (alderperson): Asked for approval of the Calumet Avenue sale, saying it eases access to three new market-rate homes near several completed affordable projects. (1:21:13); Said the city lot on 42nd Place is not buildable on its own and the adjacent owner is the logical buyer, and asked for approval. (1:26:15); Described the location of nearby senior buildings and said this is the only project in her ward she knows of from the developer using city land. (1:28:09)
- Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth (alderperson): Asked the developer what sustainable and environmentally friendly measures the buildings would include in light of the climate action plan. (1:30:56); Asked why gas stoves were chosen and said she thought electric should be used. (1:33:46); Asked how the 47th Street project addresses the citywide climate action plan, including recycling infrastructure. (2:04:27)
- Gregory I. Mitchell (alderperson): Said ethics due diligence was done on the 79th Place sale and he had worked with the buyers for two years, and asked for approval. (1:38:50)
- Monique L. Scott (alderperson): Said she had spoken with the Springfield Avenue owner and approves the sale, which had been in progress with the former alderperson. (1:42:23)
Exchanges between members
- 1:28:09 Dowell answered Taylor's question about the location of nearby senior buildings.