Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards meeting, December 9, 2025
- When: Tue, Dec 9, 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
- Video: https://vimeo.com/showcase/8928576?video=1143545294
- Transcript: full text (27,584 words, automatic 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 slate of pending items, heard ten public comments, and adopted a municipal code amendment expanding ADU-allowed zones (O2025-0020513). The committee also re-referred a hemp-product ban ordinance, approved the landmark designation for the Central YMCA, and passed numerous zoning map amendments and large-sign permits across many wards.
Topics: ADU ordinance expansion, Zoning map amendments, Landmark designation, Public comment, Hemp product ban referral
Agenda items discussed
- 15:59 Deferral of multiple pending zoning items (pages 12-18): deferred
- 17:13 Public comment period (30 minutes): discussed
- 40:11 Amendment of Municipal Code Title 17 – expand ADU-allowed RS areas (substitute ordinance) (O2025-0020513): passed
- 56:45 Re-referral of ordinance amending §4-4-331 to prohibit sale of cannabinoid hemp products: referred
- 57:22 Landmark designation for Central YMCA headquarters (34th Ward): passed
- 1:02:04 Approval of large signs (over 100 sq ft, 24 ft above grade) in multiple wards: passed
- 1:03:14 Map amendment – Alderman Daniel La Spata: change from B23 Neighborhood Mixed-Use to B31 Community Shopping (1st Ward): passed
- 56:19 Motion by Alderman Anthony J. Quezada to approve substitute ordinance for ADU expansion: passed
- 1:28:01 Zoning change – 49th Ward: B31 Community Shopping to B25 Neighborhood Mixed-Use (Central YMCA site) (22942‑T1): passed
- 2:21:13 Deferral of 16th Ward zoning item (RS-3 to RT-4) (22938): deferred
Alderpersons who spoke
- Debra L. Silverstein (alderperson): Moved to approve Rule 59 remote-attendance requests for Aldermen Ramirez and Clay. (15:47); Was the subject of a motion by Alderman Anthony J. Quezada to allow her to attend remotely. (39:56)
- Daniel La Spata (alderperson): Moved to defer a large group of pending zoning items. (17:05)
- William Conway (alderperson): Stated his office’s support for the Central YMCA landmark designation. (1:00:47)
- Raymond A. Lopez (alderperson)
- Stephanie D. Coleman (alderperson): Introduced three zoning items for the 16th Ward. (2:07:02)
- Michael D. Rodriguez (alderperson): Noted his involvement in the 22nd Ward development project. (2:50:13)
- Silvana Tabares (alderperson)
- Ruth Cruz (alderperson): Moved to pass the ADU substitute ordinance. (56:29); Moved to pass the 13th Ward RS-2 to RS-3 zoning change. (1:06:36)
- Felix Cardona Jr. (alderperson): Confirmed his office’s support for a 31st Ward zoning amendment. (2:30:19)
- Scott Waguespack (alderperson): Stated his office had a letter of support for a 32nd Ward RM5 amendment. (1:35:10)
- William Conway (alderperson): Moved to pass the ADU ordinance after discussion. (1:01:52)
- Anthony J. Quezada (alderperson): Moved to approve the ADU substitute ordinance. (56:19); Called the ayes; the motion carried. (56:22)
- Nicholas Sposato (alderperson)
- Samantha Nugent (alderperson)
- Andre Vasquez Jr. (alderperson)
- Anthony V. Napolitano (alderperson)
- Brendan Reilly (alderperson)
- Bennett R. Lawson (chair)
Exchanges between members
- 51:02 Alderman Pat Dowell asked Alderman Lamont J. Robinson to clarify the presence of RS districts in the yellow-zone map.
- 51:55 Alderman Lamont J. Robinson explained that yellow zones represent ADU-allowed areas and that any RS parcels within them are automatically covered.
- 39:56 Alderman Anthony J. Quezada moved to allow Alderperson Jessica L. Fuentes to attend the meeting remotely under Rule 59.