Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards meeting, May 19, 2026
- When: Tue, May 19, 2026, 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=1193355557
- Transcript: full text (23,260 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 Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards Committee heard a long series of public comments, deferred a batch of pending items, and considered dozens of zoning and ordinance proposals. The committee passed several ordinances, including a gas-station ban, multiple landmark designations, and numerous map-amendment and zoning changes, while holding one ordinance on religious-assembly parking. The meeting was adjourned after all business was completed.
Topics: Public comment on zoning and environmental justice, Hazel M. Johnson Cumulative Impacts Ordinance, Deferred development applications, Gas-station prohibition ordinance, Religious-assembly parking ordinance (held), Historic landmark designations, Signage permits, Map amendment and zoning changes
Agenda items discussed
- 26:31 Read and defer a set of pending development applications (file numbers 23021, 23046, 23045, 23048-T1, 23056-T1, 23041-T1, 23055-T1): deferred
- 27:49 Public comment period (38 minutes, up to 2 minutes per speaker): discussed
- 1:06:23 Ordinance introduced by Alderman Michael D. Rodriguez amending waste-related uses (02026-0024-064) (02026‑0024‑064): passed
- 1:07:37 Ordinance introduced by Alderman Jason C. Ervin prohibiting new gas stations in certain zones (O2026-0024923) (O2026‑0024923): passed
- 1:08:17 Alderwoman Jessica L. Fuentes motion to accept substitute for religious-assembly parking ordinance (O2026-0024882) (O2026‑0024882): held
- 1:25:22 Historic landmark designation for Roger Brown Home and Studio (02026-0024658) (02026‑0024658): passed
- 1:35:09 Historic landmark designation for Cortelyou Commons (02026-0024660) (02026‑0024660): passed
- 1:41:05 Permit fee waivers for three new residential houses in the 4th Ward (OR-2026-0024719, OR-2026-0024720, OR-2026-0024721) (OR‑2026‑0024719/0024720/0024721): passed
- 1:42:33 Approval of large sign permits (multiple wards): passed
- 1:43:06 Map amendment A-9092 in the 2nd Ward (change to RM-4.5) (A‑9092): passed
- 1:44:56 Map amendment A-9089 in the 7th Ward (C1-2 to B2-2) – held pending Alderman Gregory I. Mitchell return (A‑9089): held
- 1:45:44 Map amendment A-9094 in the 9th Ward (B3-1 to RS-2) (A‑9094): passed
- 1:46:40 Map amendment A-9095 in the 9th Ward (M1-1 to RS-2) (A‑9095): passed
- 1:48:00 Map amendment A-9098 in the 22nd Ward (RS-2 to RT4) (A‑9098): passed
- 1:48:43 Map amendment A-9084 in the 21st Ward (M1-1/M2-2 to B1-1) (A‑9084): passed
- 1:50:43 Map amendment A-9085 in the 21st Ward (C-2-2/RS-3 to B3-2) (A‑9085): passed
- 1:52:03 Map amendment A-9091 in the 32nd Ward (change to M3-3) (A‑9091): passed
- 1:59:26 Map amendment A-9089 (second hearing) in the 7th Ward (C1-2 to B2-2) (A‑9089): passed
- 2:02:15 Map amendment A-9090 in the 7th Ward (C1-2 to B2-2) (A‑9090): passed
- 2:03:55 Map amendment A-9091 in the 7th Ward (B2-2 to B3-1/2 discussion) – passed (A‑9091): passed
- 2:04:58 Ordinance for rezoning 5626 West 63rd Place (B1-1 to RS-2) – substitute accepted: passed
- 2:06:28 Ordinance for 7050 South Dorchester (M1-2 to M2-2): passed
- 2:09:27 Zoning change 23057 in the 4th Ward (B3-3 to C1-3) (23057): passed
- 2:12:26 Landmark designation for Byrne Hall (02026-0024659) (02026‑0024659): passed
- 2:13:20 Excavation damage ordinance (02026-0024882) – passed as substituted (02026‑0024882): passed
- 2:31:14 Deferred item on page 9 (file 23063-T1) (23063‑T1): deferred
Alderpersons who spoke
- Lamont J. Robinson (chair): Made a motion to defer the listed development items. (27:35); Asked Alderman Timothy R. Knudsen to hold the religious-assembly ordinance for further review. (1:23:08); Moved to pass the Cortelyou Commons landmark designation. (1:37:55)
- Brian Hopkins (alderperson): Presented a map amendment for a city-owned parcel in the 2nd Ward (A-9092). (1:43:06); Moved to due-pass an ordinance presented by Alderman Michael D. Rodriguez. (1:07:22); Clarified the difference between PD and PMD zoning to Alderman Bennett R. Lawson. (1:58:01)
- Raymond A. Lopez (alderperson): Called roll for attendance. (25:44); Approved the deferral of the previously listed items after a motion. (27:45)
- Desmon C. Yancy (alderperson): Presented a zoning change from M1-2 to M2-2 for a tree-recycling business. (2:06:28)
- Michael D. Rodriguez (alderperson): Presented an ordinance amending waste-related uses (02026-0024-064). (1:06:23); Spoke on map amendment A-9098 for parking-lot rental for a religious assembly. (1:48:00)
- Scott Waguespack (alderperson): Explained a map amendment correcting a boundary for the Lincoln Yards project. (1:52:18)
- Gregory I. Mitchell (alderperson): Introduced himself as a businessman opposing a zoning change for his auto shop. (34:44); Presented a map amendment changing C1-2 to B2-2 in the 7th Ward. (1:59:26); Answered questions about the impact of a zoning change on a mechanic shop. (2:03:53)
- Anthony V. Napolitano (alderperson): Confirmed a letter of support on file for a sign-permit applicant. (2:58:04)
Exchanges between members
- 1:23:08 Chair Pat Dowell asked Alderman Timothy R. Knudsen to hold the religious-assembly parking ordinance for further review.
- 1:58:01 Alderman Brian Hopkins asked Alderman Bennett R. Lawson to clarify the difference between PD and PMD zoning.
- 2:30:48 Alderman Bennett R. Lawson thanked the applicants for preserving historic housing while allowing new construction.