As the Metropolitan Planning Council looks ahead to our 2002 challenges, we are particularly bullish on the prospects for a successful overhaul of the 1957 Chicago Zoning Ordinance. An innovative rewrite and corresponding new zoning map — not just an update — would enhance the livability of Chicago's neighborhoods, unleash new economic activity and provide a model for other municipalities struggling to modernize their zoning laws. Over the past year and a half Mayor Daley's Zoning Reform Commission has sought public input, retained a talented consultant team and adhered to an aggressive timetable.
MPC's zoning project, Shaping Communities Through Urban Design, is designed to assist and complement the city's effort at every phase. During the first half of 2002, a new zoning ordinance will be unveiled and each parcel of land will be assigned a zoning category. The magnitude of the stakes and political pitfalls cannot be overstated. But with a commitment to involve all 50 aldermen and interested neighborhood and civic organizations, MPC is confident that Chicago's new zoning code can be a trailblazer.
How will we know whether the new zoning code meets its potential? One way to measure progress is to compare proposed ordinance language with what we heard from residents and small business owners during eight focus groups in South Shore, Back of the Yards, Lawndale and Bucktown. Their message was consistent and clear — Chicago's new zoning ordinance must provide direction on more than bulk, use and location.
The rewrite presents a unique opportunity to encourage pedestrian oriented, mixed-use development; foster good urban design; protect open space and promote a broader range of housing options. For instance, the new zoning code could allow construction of the kind of homes we've built historically, like row-houses and coach houses, thereby increasing the supply of housing affordable to working families. Instituting these common sense zoning changes would build on Chicago's strengths and support vibrant commercial corridors and residential neighborhoods that meet a range of community needs.
MPC believes active citizen participation in the planning process creates more attractive and competitive communities. For example, it is widely understood that Chicago is over-zoned for commercial. We can no longer support retail corridors every four blocks as we did in the days of the streetcar. Today, commercial uses should be concentrated in nodes at key intersections well served by transit and conducive to pedestrians. So which streets do we de-commercialize and which intersections or nodes should be strengthened? This question, and others posed by the complex zoning rewrite, are best answered through an open planning process that garners input from a broad range of stakeholders.
For detailed information on MPC's zoning recommendations, click here.
