Zoning, Economic Development & Land Use
Upcoming Community Meetings on Zoning and Land Use Requests
Ward-Wide Zoning Remap Process
Zoning Change Review Process
49th Ward Zoning and Land Use Advisory Committee Members
Minutes and Agendas
Zoning Links
Zoning and Land Use Requests
pending before the community
Community Meeting on Proposed Sheridan Road Development
Dear Neighbor,
I am writing to invite you to attend a community meeting regarding a proposal to construct a 50-unit apartment building at 7313-15 N. Sheridan Road. The meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 21st, 7:00 p.m. at the Lake Shore Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 7200 N. Sheridan (at Touhy).
Rich Aronson of Camelot Development, Scott Siner of Noble Development and Tom Kafkes of Stage Development will be on hand to present their proposal to build a seven-story building containing 50 dwelling units, 50 parking spaces and commercial space on the first floor. The developers plan to incorporate a number of green features in the building, including a small wind turbine on the roof.
The site is located on the east side of Sheridan Road between Chase Ave. and Sherwin Ave. A parking lot currently exists on the site. The Shambala Community Center is located immediately to the north, and an eight-story apartment building is located immediately to the south.
The proposed development requires a zoning change from its current RT4 classification to a B3-5 classification. The proposal also needs a rear yard setback variance from the required 30 feet to 12 feet. Finally, the development falls within the parameters of the Lakefront Protection Ordinance and thus requires Chicago Plan Commission approval.
The developers intend to maintain the development as a rental building.
As with any proposed development in the 49th Ward, I will not make a decision on whether I support or oppose the proposal until after a full community review process. The 49th Ward Zoning and Land Use Advisory Committee has reviewed the proposal and voted to withold making a final recommendation to me pending the outcome of the community meeting.
I have attached a copy of the floor plans and a rendering:
7313-15_N_Sheridan_Development_Proposal.pdf (692 KB)
If you have any questions or would like to comment on the proposal, feel free to reply to this e-mail or call my office at 773-338-5796.
I look forward to your input.
Sincerely,
Joe Moore
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Community-Wide Process
Comes to a Successful Close
Over the past four years, in a precedent-setting effort, Joe Moore made a tremendous impact on the zoning and future uses of property within our community.
As you may know, the city rewrote its zoning ordinance, which took effect in November 2004.
Joe Moore felt it was important for us, as a community, to determine the re-map of our ward rather than having it determined by bureaucrats downtown. As a result, we engaged in an effort to look at the ward comprehensively, which is the only effort we know of being undertaken on a ward wide basis. Dozens of 49th Ward volunteers began surveying the neighborhood in the fall of 2003.
The re-map volunteers identified around 300 assets and challenges. The Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC) worked with our volunteers, and Joe Moore's 49th Ward Zoning and Land Use Advisory Committee. MPC prepared the surveys, trained our volunteers, analyzed the results, identified assets or challenges which can be addressed by making zoning changes, and made recommendations, which were then reviewed by the Zoning and Land Use Advisory Committee, the Chicago Department of Zoning and the Chicago Department of Planning and Development.
After this lengthy process involving dozens of volunteers, many community meetings and a great deal of time, we have concluded our survey and remapping of the 49th Ward. As a result, we have down-zoned over 30 blocks to help preserve the residential character of the community, thereby preventing over-development in residential areas and driving development to our commercial corridors. Thank you to our hard-working volunteers for their time and commitment to our community.
A revised ward zoning map is being created! Meanwhile, we have detailed the downzonings made this term and you may contact Michael Land at the 49th Ward Service Office for more specific details.
Of note, there were significant areas added from community input that emerged during the community vetting process:
Downzoning portions of the 1400 block of Birchwood from RT4 multifamily to RS3 two flat/single family.
Downzoning portions of the 1200 block of Farwell from RT4 multifamily to RS3 two flat/single family.
Downzoning portions of the 1800 block of Estes from RS3 two flat/single family to RS2 single family.
Downzoning portions of the 1800 block of Greenleaf from RS3 two flat/single family to RS2 single family.
Downzoning portions of the 1800 block of Lunt from RS3 two flat/single family to RS2 single family.
Downzoning portions of the 1900 block of Estes from RS3 two flat/single family to RS2 single family.
Downzoning portions of the 1900 block of Greenleaf from RS3 two flat/single family to RS2 single family.
Downzoning portions of the 1900 block of Lunt from RS3 two flat/single family to RS2 single family.
Downzoning portions of the 2000 block of Estes from RS3 two flat/single family to RS2 single family.
Downzoning portions of the 2000 block of Greenleaf from RS3 two flat/single family to RS2 single family.
Downzoning portions of the 2000 block of Lunt from RS3 two flat/single family to RS2 single family.
Downzoning portions of the 6900 block of Ridge from RS3 two flat/single family to RS2 single family.
Downzoning portions of the 7000 block of Ridge from RT4 multifamily to RS2 single family.
Downzoning portions of the 7100 block of Ridge from RT4 multifamily to RS2 single family.
In addition, there are a number of other significant zoning initiatives which Joe Moore introduced or supported this past term:
Upzoning 7070 Clark, with community support, to allow the development of a five story 32 condominium unit with four affordable units.
Upzoning 1791 Howard, with community support, to allow the development of 37 condominium units in the pivot point building with four affordable units.
Upzoning 6201 North Broadway, with community support, to allow the development of a 12-story, 162 condominium unit mixed use building with 16 affordable units
Downzoning portions of the 1500 block of Touhy from RT4 multifamily to RS2 single family.
Downzoning portions of the 1600 block of Touhy from RT4 multifamily to RS2 single family.
Downzoning portions of the 1300 block of Chase from RT4 multifamily to RS3 two flat/single family.
Downzoning portions of the 2000 block of Chase from RT4 multifamily to RS3 two flat/single family.
Downzoning portions of the 1800 block of Touhy from RT4 multifamily to either RS3 two flat/single family or RS2 single family.
Downzoning portions of the 1900 block of Touhy from RT4 multifamily to either RS3 two flat/single family or RS2 single family.
Downzoning portions of the 1600 block of Jarvis from RT4 multifamily to RS2 single family.
Downzoning portions of the 1700 blocks of Jarvis from RT4 multifamily to RS2 single family.
Downzoning portions of the 1200 block of Pratt from RT4 multifamily to RS2 single family.
Downzoning portions of the 1400 block of Greenleaf from RT4 multifamily to RS2 single family.
Downzoning portions of the 1400 block of Estes from RT4 multifamily to RS2 single family.
Downzoning portions of the 1500 block of Estes from RT4 multifamily to RS2 single family.
Downzoning portions of the 1600 block of Lunt from RT4 multifamily to RS2 single family.
Downzoning portions of the 7300 block of Bell from R4 multifamily to R3 two flat/single family.
Downzoning portions of the 7300 block of Oakley from R4 multifamily to R3 two flat/single family.
Downzoning portions of the 2000 block of Touhy from R4 multifamily to R2 single family.
The following proposals were rejected by Alderman Moore and the 49th Ward community:
1530 Estes upzoning proposal from RS2 to RT4 in order to build a six unit building on a vacant lot. Rejected.
7015 Sheridan upzoning proposal from RT4 to a planned development in order to build a seven story mixed use building with 28 parking stalls and four dwelling units. Rejected.
7220 Oakley cut out of RS3 downzoning proposal to build a 16 unit building. Rejected. Instead a new developer is building four single family homes on the lot.
Community Input Key to Decision-Making
Alderman Moore is committed to involving the public in every decision that requires any type of special City approval. When he first was elected Alderman, Moore established the 49th Ward Zoning and Land Use Advisory Committee consisting of representatives of the major community organizations, business owners, and ordinary neighborhood residents who advise the Alderman on all zoning and land use issues in the 49th Ward. The community organizations in the ward each appoint a representative to serve on the Committee and the Alderman appoints the remaining members and the Committee chair.
When someone comes to the Alderman Moore with a land use proposal requiring special city approval, the Alderman refers the proposal to his committee and asks the proponent to show the committee his or her plans, including building design, landscaping and parking, to be sure that the new project is a positive addition to the neighborhood. He encourages the proponent to listen carefully to the concerns and recommendations of the committee and incorporate them into his or her plans. The Committee will vote to either recommend Alderman Moore support the proposal, oppose the proposal or support the proposal with modifications.
On all but routine proposals, Alderman Moore will ask the proponent to also present the proposal to the community at large. Once again, the Alderman encourages the proponent to listen carefully to the concerns and recommendations of the community and incorporate them into the final plans. Comments and recommendations expressed at the community meeting are considered carefully by the 49th Ward Zoning and Land Use Advisory Committee before the Committee makes its final recommendations to Alderman Moore. Frequently, the proponent changes his or her proposal based on Committee and community input, and several more Committee and community meetings are held before the Committee makes a final recommendation to the Alderman.
49th Ward Zoning and Land Use Advisory Committee Community Review Process
Below is the process for review of a request for a zoning change or variance, planned development, special use permit, sale of city-owned land, or approval of a development in an area covered by a designated TIF district or the Lakefront Protection Ordinance.
- Initial request or approval comes to Alderman Moore's office.
- Alderman or his representative meets with the proponent and reviews the proposal, makes initial suggestions and explains the community process.
- Proponent meets with the 49th Ward Zoning and Land Use Advisory Committee. Notices, including a brief description of the proposal, are sent to Committee members in advance of the meeting and are posted on Alderman Moore's web site. Unless there are no pending matters, the Committee meets on the second Tuesday of every month, 7:00 p.m. at the 49th Ward Service Office, 7356 N. Greenview.
- The Zoning and Land Use Committee hears a presentation by the proponent and asks questions. The Committee then goes into executive session to deliberate and vote on an initial recommendation. The Committee often will vote to ask the proponent to return with a modified proposal.
- On all but routine proposals, the Zoning and Land Use Committee and the Alderman will refer the matter to the community at large for its input and review. Community meetings are publicized and presided over by either the Committee chair or the Alderman. The proponent presents his or her proposal and the community is given an opportunity to ask questions and offer comments.
- Following the community meeting, the Zoning and Land Use Committee will again deliberate. Based on the results of the community meeting, the Committee will vote to either support the proposal, oppose the proposal, support the proposal with modifications or ask the proponent to return to the Committee with a modified proposal.
- If the proponent is asked to return with modified proposal, the entire process starts over again with both Committee and community review.
- Following the final community meeting, the Zoning and Land Use Committee votes to make a final recommendation to the Alderman.
- Based on community input and the recommendation of the Zoning and Land Use Committee, the Alderman makes a final decision on the proposal.
- The Alderman conveys his recommendation in writing to the appropriate City decision-making authority.
49th Ward Zoning and Land Use Advisory Committee Members
Kevin O'Neil, Chair
Robin Archia
Rich Aronson
Paul Bluestone
Andrew Curr
Denis Detzel
David Fagus
John Fitzgerald (Howard Area Community Center)
Jim Ginderske
Gustavo Giraldo
Dorothy Gregory
Michael James
Kenneth Johnson
Charese Jordan
Marty Max (Rogers Park Builders Group)
Richard Moran (Rogers Park Community Council)
Courtney Owen (DevCorp North)
Marilyn Pagan
Jonathan Rivera
Jack Swenson
Meeting Minutes and Agendas
The Committee meets on the second Tuesday of the month, 7:00 p.m. at the 49th Ward Service Office, 7356 N. Greenview.
PROPERTY OWNERS AND DEVELOPERS SHOULD CONTACT MICHAEL LAND AT THE WARD SERVICE OFFICE 773.338.5796 TO SUBMIT A MATTER FOR CONSIDERATION BY THE COMMITTEE.
For Minutes or Agendas not posted here, please contact Michael Land at the 49th Ward Service Office at 773.338.5796.
THE AREA BELOW IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION. COMPLETE FILES WILL BE AVAILABLE SOON.
Please note that minutes posted here are drafts until approved by the 49th Ward Zoning and Land Use Advisory Committee. When electronic versions of site plans and elevations are available, they will be provided here as well.
October 9, 2007 ZALUAC Meeting
Agenda_October_2007.pdf (12 KB)
September 11, 2007 ZALUAC Meeting
2007_Sept_11_Minutes_Final_Draft.pdf (18 KB)
August 14, 2007 ZALUAC Meeting
2007_Aug_14_Minutes_Final_Draft.pdf (19 KB)
July 11, 2007 ZALUAC Meeting
2007_July_10_Minutes_Final_Draft.pdf (21 KB)
June 12, 2007 ZALUAC Meeting
2007_June_12 Minutes final draft.pdf (10 KB)
supporting documents
TheGranvilleSitePlan5-15-07.pdf (142 KB)
May 8, 2007 ZALUAC Meeting
2007 May 08 Minutes final draft
supporting documents
Loyola University Cudahy Building Addition
McDonald's Proposed Site and Landscape Plan
McDonald's Proposed Elevations
Zoning Links
City of Chicago Dept. of Zoning. On this site you may view the City of Chicago Zoning map to see how your block is zoned. You may also read the entire text of the zoning code and learn the definitions of zoning classifications. Please note that the on-line documents are generally updated several months after legislation passes. To confirm the zoning of a particular property it is important to apply for a Zoning Certificate. The 49th Ward Service Office Staff can assist you in this process.