At a recent public meetings held by the Mayor's Zoning Reform Commission, participants voiced approval for the new R3-1/2 zoning district, which bridges the gap between the current R3 and R4 districts.
The Mayor's Zoning Reform Commission held its fourth public meeting on July 16, 2002, spotlighting residential issues in Chicago wards 36, 38, 39, 40, 41, 45 and 50. Attending residents praised the progress made by the commission two years into the rewrite process.
Local residents especially praised the development of a new R3-1/2 style district. R3 is one of the most widely used zoning districts within the city, termed as a "general residence district." Although R3 is often seen as a desirable density by community residents because it ensures that new development will most likely be single family and low density, its low floor area ratio (FAR) and density prevent larges homes, two flats and other multi-unit housing. R3-1/2 will effectively address the gap between R3 and R4; R3 will retain the current bulk standards in addition to permitting detached houses to be built. R3-1/2 would allow two-flats to be built on standard size city lots and townhouses to be built on slightly larger lots.
MPC encourages local residents and neighbors to attend these meetings to express their concerns and thoughts. For information on future times and dates of the public meetings being held, visit the MPC calendar of events, or contact the Haymarket Group at 312-645-9400.