Zoning, Economic Development & Land Use
Upcoming Community Meetings on Zoning and Land Use Requests
Overview of Process of 49th Ward Process for Evaluating Zoning Change and Other Land Use Requests
Step-by-Step Guide to 49th Ward Zoning and Land Use Community Review Process
49th Ward Zoning and Land Use Advisory Committee Members
49th Ward Zoning and Land Use Advisory Committee Meeting Agendas and Minutes
Ward-Wide Zoning Remap Process
Link to Zoning Code and Maps
Upcoming Community Meetings on Zoning and Land Use Requests
Proposed Additions to Gentile Center and Coffey Hall, Loyola University
Wednesday, June 17th , 7:00 p.m.
Loyola University's Centennial Forum
Bremner Lounge
1125 W. Loyola
Applicant: Loyola University
Approval required: Chicago Plan Commission review and approval under the Lakefront Protection Ordinance
The first proposed development is a three-story, 77,000-square-foot addition to the Gentile Center, which is home to Loyola's Athletic Department. The addition would be constructed on the south and east sides of the Gentile Center in order to upgrade the facility to conference standards and house the Loyola University Athletic Hall of Fame.
Below please find the proposal including site plans and renderings of the proposed addition:
Gentile_Center_Addition.pdf (4288 KB)
The second proposed development is a five-story addition to Coffey Hall, which is located at 1000 W. Sheridan Road, just north of the Sheridan Road bend. The addition would be constructed on the north side of the building in order to add an elevator and accommodate an expanded entrance adjacent to the parking lot.
Below please find a site plan and rendering of the proposed addition: Coffey_Addition_Rendering.pdf (3793 KB) Coffey_Hall_Site_Plan.pdf (863 KB)
Both developments fall within the Lakefront Protection Zone, and thus require approval of the Chicago Plan Commission. While the decision to allow the developments ultimately rests with the Plan Commission, the Commission will take into account the opinions of the alderman and surrounding community when evaluating the proposal.
________________________________
________________________________
Overview of 49th Ward Process for Evaluating Zoning Change and Other Land Use Requests
Community Input, Transparency Key to Decision-Making
Alderman Moore is committed to involving the residents of the 49th Ward in every zoning and land-use issue in the 49th Ward, and has established the most transparent decision-making process of any ward in the city.
No land-use decision is made without a thorough and public airing of all the issues. Alderman Moore refers all zoning and land-use issues to the 49th Ward Zoning and Land Use Advisory Committee, which consists of representatives of the major community organizations, business owners, and ordinary neighborhood residents. The Committee, which Alderman Moore formed when he was first elected in 1991, thoroughly reviews all 49th Ward land use proposals, including building design, landscaping, parking, and its impact on the surrounding community, to ensure that the proposed project is a positive addition to the neighborhood.
Alderman Moore 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.
The minutes of all Zoning and Land Use Advisory Committee meetings are posted on Alderman Moore's web site. Alderman Moore reserves the right to reject the recommendations of the Committtee, but in the vast majority of cases, the Alderman abides by the Committee's recommendations.
In all significant zoning and land use issues, Alderman Moore issues a public statement setting forth his decision and the reasons for that decisions. The statements are delivered to his constituents via e-mail and posted on the 49th Ward web site.
Step-by-Step Guide to 49th Ward Zoning and Land Use Community Review Process
Below is the step-by-step 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 for approval comes to Alderman Moore's office. To submit a zoning and/or land use matter for consideration by Alderman Moore and the 49th Ward Zoning and Land Use Advisory Committee contact Aldermanic Staff Assistant Michael Land at mland@cityofchicago.org or call 773-338-5796.
- Alderman and/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.
- If the issue involves a matter of significant public interest, the Alderman will issue a public statement announcing his decision and the reasons for that decision. The statement will be distributed via e-mail and posted on the 49th Ward web site.
- The Alderman conveys his recommendation in writing to the appropriate City of Chicago decision-making authority.
49th Ward Zoning and Land Use Advisory Committee Members
Kevin O'Neil (Chair)
Rich Aronson
Paul Bluestone
Rene Camargo (DevCorp North representative)
Denis Detzel
David Fagus
John Fitzgerald (Howard Area Community Center representative)
Jim Ginderske
Gustavo Giraldo
Dorothy Gregory
Wanda Jackson
Michael James
Kenneth Johnson
Charese Jordan
Andrew Kerr
Marty Max (Rogers Park Builders Group representative)
Richard Moran (Rogers Park Community Council representative)
Rev. Marilyn Pagan (Northside POWER representative)
Jonathan Rivera
Jack Swenson
Faye Walker
49th Ward Zoning and Land Use Advisory Committee Meeting Agendas and Minutes
The 49th Ward Zoning and Land Use Committee meets on the second Tuesday of the month, 7:00 p.m., at the 49th Ward Service Office, 7356 N. Greenview.
For Minutes or Agendas not posted here, please contact Michael Land at the 49th Ward Service Office at 773-338-5796 or mland@cityofchicago.org.
April 14, 2009
Minutes_April_2009.pdf (100 KB)
DevCorp Burger_King_Letter.pdf (32 KB)
March 10, 2009
No pending zoning or land use matters.
February 10, 2009
No pending zoning or land use matters.
January 13, 2009
Agenda_January_2009.pdf (21 KB)
Minutes_January_2009.pdf (31 KB)
December 9, 2008
No pending zoning or land use matters.
November 11, 2008
Agenda_November_2008.pdf (12 KB)
Minutes_November_2008.pdf (19 KB)
October 14, 2008
Agenda_October_2008.pdf (15 KB)
Minutes_October_2008.pdf (21 KB)
September 9, 2008
No pending zoning or land use matters.
August 12, 2008
Agenda_August_2008.pdf (15 KB)
Minutes_August_2008.pdf (20 KB)
July 8, 2008
June 10, 2008
May 13, 2008
April 8, 2008
Minutes_April_2008.pdf (32 KB)
March 11, 2008
Minutes_March_2008.pdf (23 KB)
February 12, 2008
No pending zoning or land use matters.
January 8, 2008
No pending zoning or land use matters.
December 11, 2007
Agenda_December_2007.pdf (13 KB)
Minutes_December_2007.pdf (21 KB)
November 13, 2007
Agenda_November_2007.pdf (12 KB)
Minutes_November_2007.pdf (27 KB)
October 9, 2007
Agenda_October_2007.pdf (12 KB)
Minutes_October_2007.pdf (15 KB)
September 11, 2007
Agenda_September_2007.pdf (81 KB)
Minutes_September 2007.pdf (20 KB)
August 14, 2007
Agenda_August_2007.pdf (13 KB)
Minutes_August_2007.pdf (20 KB)
July 10, 2007
June 12, 2007
May 8, 2007
Ward-Wide Zoning Remap Process
Innovative Process Guards Against Over-Development and Preserves Neighborhood's Residential Character
As development pressures began to threaten the character of our neighborhood, Alderman Joe Moore launched a comprehensive, community-based review of the 49th Ward's zoning map, which determines then nature and type of development on every parcel of land in the ward. This zoning review was the only comprehensive ward-wide process of its kind in the city. As a result, the 49th Ward now has a zoning map that reflects the needs and desires of community residents, rather than developers and outside forces.
Alderman Moore believed strongly that it was important for us as a community to determine the zoning map of our ward rather than have it determined by downtown bureaucrats. With that goal in mind, Alderman Moore enlisted the help of dozens of neighborhood volunteers, and the Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC), to survey every parcel of land in the 4th Ward. MPC prepared the surveys, trained the volunteers, analyzed the results, and identified over 300 "assets and challenges" in the ward, which could be addressed through zoning changes.
The recommendations were reviewed by the Alderman Moore and the 49th Ward Zoning and Land Use Advisory Committee. They were the presented to the community at four separate public meetings held throughout the ward, where community residents were given the opportunity to provide input and make changes to the recommendations. The feedback provided by the community was incorporated in the final recommendations.
As a result of this process, Alderman Moore introduced and passed ordinances to downzone over 30 blocks in the Ward to help preserve the residential character of the community, thereby preventing over-development in residential areas and driving development to our commercial corridors.
Below are the zoning changes that resulted from the process:
Downzoned portions of the 7300 block of Bell from R4 multifamily to R3 two flat/single family.
Downzoned portions of the 1400 block of Birchwood from RT4 multifamily to RS3 two flat/single family.
Downzoned portions of the 1300 block of Chase from RT4 multifamily to RS3 two flat/single family.
Downzoned portions of the 2000 block of Chase from RT4 multifamily to RS3 two flat/single family.
Downzoned portions of the 1400 block of Estes from RT4 multifamily to RS2 single family.
Downzoned portions of the 1500 block of Estes from RT4 multifamily to RS2 single family.
Downzoned portions of the 1800 block of Estes from RS3 two flat/single family to RS2 single family.
Downzoned portions of the 1900 block of Estes from RS3 two flat/single family to RS2 single family.
Downzoned portions of the 2000 block of Estes from RS3 two flat/single family to RS2 single family.
Downzoned portions of the 1200 block of Farwell from RT4 multifamily to RS3 two flat/single family.
Downzoned portions of the 1400 block of Greenleaf from RT4 multifamily to RS2 single family.
Downzoned portions of the 1800 block of Greenleaf from RS3 two flat/single family to RS2 single family.
Downzoned portions of the 1900 block of Greenleaf from RS3 two flat/single family to RS2 single family.
Downzoned portions of the 2000 block of Greenleaf from RS3 two flat/single family to RS2 single family.
Downzoned portions of the 1600 block of Lunt from RT4 multifamily to RS2 single family.
Downzoned portions of the 1800 block of Lunt from RS3 two flat/single family to RS2 single family.
Downzoned portions of the 1600 block of Jarvis from RT4 multifamily to RS2 single family.
Downzoned portions of the 1700 blocks of Jarvis from RT4 multifamily to RS2 single family.
Downzoned portions of the 1900 block of Lunt from RS3 two flat/single family to RS2 single family.
Downzoned portions of the 2000 block of Lunt from RS3 two flat/single family to RS2 single family.
Downzoned portions of the 7300 block of Oakley from R4 multifamily to R3 two flat/single family.
Downzoned portions of the 1200 block of Pratt from RT4 multifamily to RS2 single family.
Downzoned portions of the 6900 block of Ridge from RS3 two flat/single family to RS2 single family.
Downzoned portions of the 7000 block of Ridge from RT4 multifamily to RS2 single family.
Downzoned portions of the 7100 block of Ridge from RT4 multifamily to RS2 single family.
Downzoned portions of the 1500 block of Touhy from RT4 multifamily to RS2 single family.
Downzoned portions of the 1600 block of Touhy from RT4 multifamily to RS2 single family.
Downzoned portions of the 1800 block of Touhy from RT4 multifamily to either RS3 two flat/single family or RS2 single family.
Downzoned portions of the 1900 block of Touhy from RT4 multifamily to either RS3 two flat/single family or RS2 single family.
Downzoned portions of the 2000 block of Touhy from R4 multifamily to R2 single family.
In addition to these downzonings, Alderman Moore has put into place a process for community residents who wish to explore downzoning their block. If you have any specific questions about the dowzoning process or zoning in general, please contact Michael Land in Alderman Moore's 49th Ward Service office at mland@ward49.com or call 773-338-5796.
Link to Zoning Code and Maps
If you wish to view the map of your block to see how it is zoned, visit the City of Chicago web site. Click on the "City Department's" link and then click on the "Zoning" link. You can view your map or read the Zoning Code to learn the definitions of the various 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 to the City of Chicago for a Zoning Certificate. The 49th Ward Service Office Staff can assist you in this process. Contact Michael Land at mland@cityofchicago.org or call 773-338-5796.