An article from the Winter 2004 issue of Regional Connection
As the City of
Chicago nears the conclusion of the first phase of its historic three-year
effort to rewrite its 1957 zoning code, MPC is prodding it to address the needs
of its diverse neighborhoods.
To help communities understand and prepare for applying
the new ordinance in their words and give them a voice in how their
neighborhoods develop, MPC designed a Zoning Change
Strategy.
It allows residents to identify assets and challenges in their neighborhoods in
advance of the official remapping process. MPC has targeted five communities for technical assistance
in 2003 and 2004: Rogers Park, West Town, Logan Square, Lawndale, and
South Chicago. The Alderman and a local community organization recruits volunteers,
who learn about basic zoning concepts and then hit the streets,
making of record of what needs to change.
MPC analyzes the
data collected by residents and makes recommendations on new zoning categories
that would address the assets-or challenges identified. Each community then
receives a master map and report.
West Town and
Rogers Park are mid-way through their Zoning Change Strategy exercises. Norma
Polanco, executive director of the Humboldt Park Economic Development
Corporation, said West Town participants found the process both empowering and
educational. “Our residents learned a lot about their community, in addition to
gaining an understanding of the impacts of zoning. The process helped people
realize that they could take a proactive role in zoning
reform.”