# Committee on Housing and Real Estate meeting, October 1, 2024

- When: Tue, Oct 1, 2024, 10:30 AM (Chicago time)
- Where: Room 201A, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 121 North LaSalle Street - Chicago, IL 60602
- Status: Scheduled & Published
- Committee: [Committee on Housing and Real Estate](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/committee/housing-and-real-estate)
- Video: https://vimeo.com/showcase/8928563/video/1014419844
- Transcript: [full text](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/transcripts/1014419844.txt) (17,034 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, chaired by Alderperson Byron Sigcho-López, heard four public commenters who raised homelessness, migrant shelter spending and a probate dispute, then approved its Rule 45 report. The committee recommended passage of a loan restructuring for a senior building at 1501 W. Melrose, the sale and debt assumption of a permanent supportive housing building at 8200 S. Ellis from the distressed Heartland portfolio, and low affordability community designations for developments at 1565 N. Clybourn and 3955 N. Kilpatrick, after members discussed how the state property tax incentive works and asked the Law Department for analysis of its effects. It also passed a code amendment to end Plan Commission review of certain city land transactions and narrow Community Development Commission review under the Cut the Tape initiative, three $1 leases for public outdoor plazas in the 3rd, 16th and 24th Wards, and several city land sales through the ChiBlockBuilder and adjacent neighbors programs, with Alderperson Pat Dowell pressing planning staff on enforcing deed conditions. A 10th Ward land sale was held at the local alderperson's request.

Topics: Affordable housing finance, Low affordability community designation, Permanent supportive housing, Cut the Tape land review changes, Public outdoor plazas, City land sales, Homelessness

### Agenda items discussed

- [14:54](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DD338FAC-3575-EF11-A671-001DD804C7AB?t=894) Public comment: discussed
- [29:47](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DD338FAC-3575-EF11-A671-001DD804C7AB?t=1787) Rule 45 report for the September 11, 2024 meeting: passed
- [30:10](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DD338FAC-3575-EF11-A671-001DD804C7AB?t=1810) Restructuring of HOME loan agreement for Renaissance St. Luke senior housing, 1501 W. Melrose St. (32nd Ward): passed
- [34:02](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DD338FAC-3575-EF11-A671-001DD804C7AB?t=2042) Sale, transfer and assumption of city debt for permanent supportive housing at 8200 S. Ellis Ave. (8th Ward): passed
- [42:30](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DD338FAC-3575-EF11-A671-001DD804C7AB?t=2550) Designation of 1565 N. Clybourn Ave. as a low affordability community (2nd Ward): passed
- [50:54](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DD338FAC-3575-EF11-A671-001DD804C7AB?t=3054) Designation of 3955 N. Kilpatrick Ave. / 3865 N. Milwaukee Ave. as a low affordability community (45th Ward), as substituted: passed
- [1:07:33](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DD338FAC-3575-EF11-A671-001DD804C7AB?t=4053) Amendment to Municipal Code Chapter 2-124 on Plan Commission and Community Development Commission review of city land acquisitions and dispositions (O2024-0012425): passed
- [1:16:55](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DD338FAC-3575-EF11-A671-001DD804C7AB?t=4615) Lease of city-owned property at 4702-4704 S. King Dr. as a public outdoor plaza (3rd Ward): passed
- [1:24:27](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DD338FAC-3575-EF11-A671-001DD804C7AB?t=5067) Lease of city-owned property at 1534 W. 63rd St. to Teamwork Englewood as a public outdoor plaza (16th Ward): passed
- [1:28:15](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DD338FAC-3575-EF11-A671-001DD804C7AB?t=5295) Lease of city-owned property on W. Roosevelt Rd. to the Stains Family Foundation for public outdoor plazas (24th Ward): passed
- [1:37:05](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DD338FAC-3575-EF11-A671-001DD804C7AB?t=5825) ChiBlockBuilder open space land sales in the 16th and 20th Wards: passed
- [1:46:44](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DD338FAC-3575-EF11-A671-001DD804C7AB?t=6404) Adjacent neighbors land acquisition sale at 4156 S. Wentworth Ave. (3rd Ward): passed
- [1:48:09](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DD338FAC-3575-EF11-A671-001DD804C7AB?t=6489) Adjacent neighbors land acquisition sale at 4824 W. Gladys Ave. (29th Ward): passed
- [1:49:20](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DD338FAC-3575-EF11-A671-001DD804C7AB?t=6560) ChiBlockBuilder side lot sales in the 6th Ward: passed
- [1:52:09](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DD338FAC-3575-EF11-A671-001DD804C7AB?t=6729) ChiBlockBuilder lot sales in the 20th Ward: passed
- [1:53:59](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DD338FAC-3575-EF11-A671-001DD804C7AB?t=6839) ChiBlockBuilder lot sales in the 21st Ward: passed
- [1:57:03](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DD338FAC-3575-EF11-A671-001DD804C7AB?t=7023) ChiBlockBuilder lot sale at 3024 S. Tripp Ave. (22nd Ward): passed
- [1:58:27](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DD338FAC-3575-EF11-A671-001DD804C7AB?t=7107) Sale of city-owned property in the 10th Ward (substitute ordinance): held

### Alderpersons who spoke

- [Byron Sigcho-López](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/25) (chair): Noted that similar low affordability community ordinances had been approved in several wards and said he would like to see how they operate across the city. ([46:01](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DD338FAC-3575-EF11-A671-001DD804C7AB?t=2761)); Committed to obtaining an analysis of the designations' impacts, as members requested, and to discussing possible policy changes. ([59:54](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DD338FAC-3575-EF11-A671-001DD804C7AB?t=3594)); Said the impact on the low-income housing trust fund should be discussed as more wards enter the program. ([1:03:20](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DD338FAC-3575-EF11-A671-001DD804C7AB?t=3800))
- [Michelle A. Harris](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/8) (alderperson): Said the 72-unit supportive housing building is essential in her largely single-family ward and thanked the new owner for preserving it. ([39:47](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DD338FAC-3575-EF11-A671-001DD804C7AB?t=2387)); Asked for a map of areas that could be designated low affordability communities. ([53:55](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DD338FAC-3575-EF11-A671-001DD804C7AB?t=3235)); Praised Dowell for leading the reuse of a vacant lot as a public plaza. ([1:22:34](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DD338FAC-3575-EF11-A671-001DD804C7AB?t=4954))
- [Pat Dowell](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/3) (alderperson): Asked the buyer of the Ellis Avenue building for a list of the properties it owns in Bronzeville. ([41:19](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DD338FAC-3575-EF11-A671-001DD804C7AB?t=2479)); Credited a former alderperson and a community partner for the Bronzeville plaza and asked colleagues to support it. ([1:22:58](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DD338FAC-3575-EF11-A671-001DD804C7AB?t=4978)); Congratulated Scott on bringing activity to a desolate stretch of Roosevelt Road. ([1:36:17](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DD338FAC-3575-EF11-A671-001DD804C7AB?t=5777))
- [Walter R. Burnett](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/27) (alderperson): Asked how the low affordability designation relates to affordable requirements and whether the state tax incentive is renewable. ([46:26](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DD338FAC-3575-EF11-A671-001DD804C7AB?t=2786)); Asked whether the city could designate the whole city as a low affordability community so developers would not have to keep coming back for designations. ([52:17](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DD338FAC-3575-EF11-A671-001DD804C7AB?t=3137)); Asked whether every development seeking the incentive must come before the committee and why designation is required only in certain areas. ([1:05:32](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DD338FAC-3575-EF11-A671-001DD804C7AB?t=3932))
- [Gregory I. Mitchell](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/7) (alderperson): Told colleagues that Chicago communities have different dynamics and that he would oppose blanket citywide policies without thorough analysis. ([1:00:24](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DD338FAC-3575-EF11-A671-001DD804C7AB?t=3624)); Asked DPD about the terms of the plaza leases and said he wants more discussion of leasing city land for $1. ([1:35:04](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DD338FAC-3575-EF11-A671-001DD804C7AB?t=5704))
- [James M. Gardiner](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/45) (alderperson): Supported designating the 3955 N. Kilpatrick site as a low affordability community, describing a 345-unit development with 69 affordable units. ([51:17](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DD338FAC-3575-EF11-A671-001DD804C7AB?t=3077))
- [Monique L. Scott](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/24) (alderperson): Said the privately funded Roosevelt Road plazas, including a playground, will serve an area with few spaces for children. ([1:33:51](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DD338FAC-3575-EF11-A671-001DD804C7AB?t=5631))

### Exchanges between members

- [41:14](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DD338FAC-3575-EF11-A671-001DD804C7AB?t=2474) The chair thanked Harris for her remarks on the Ellis Avenue building.
- [1:00:24](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DD338FAC-3575-EF11-A671-001DD804C7AB?t=3624) Mitchell responded to the idea of a blanket citywide designation by saying he would oppose blanket policies without analysis.
- [1:22:34](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DD338FAC-3575-EF11-A671-001DD804C7AB?t=4954) Harris commended Dowell for leading the plaza project.
- [1:22:58](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DD338FAC-3575-EF11-A671-001DD804C7AB?t=4978) Dowell thanked Harris and shared credit for the plaza with others.
- [1:34:58](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DD338FAC-3575-EF11-A671-001DD804C7AB?t=5698) Mitchell congratulated Scott on the Roosevelt Road plaza project.
- [1:36:17](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DD338FAC-3575-EF11-A671-001DD804C7AB?t=5777) Dowell congratulated Scott on bringing life to that part of Roosevelt Road.
- [1:46:22](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DD338FAC-3575-EF11-A671-001DD804C7AB?t=6382) The chair committed to getting Dowell a better answer on enforcing land sale conditions.

## Documents

- [Notice](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/meetingattachmentspublic/5c4ebc8c-5371-46bd-8c7f-4c8462e0b73d.pdf)
- [Summary](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/meetingattachmentspublic/32fe212b-8123-46ed-b832-008bb0860f41.pdf)
- [Other](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/meetingattachmentspublic/ea60c577-2f09-4caf-8740-1a375f70596e.pdf)
- [Other](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/meetingattachmentspublic/90016e61-306d-499e-81a3-9a781cf320c7.pdf)
- [Agenda](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/meetingattachmentspublic/ddadd0fa-38ac-462e-be6d-2746e64d2dd3.pdf)

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Source: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DD338FAC-3575-EF11-A671-001DD804C7AB · Chicago Politics, an independent, nonpartisan tracker of the Chicago City Council. Guide for agents: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/llms.txt