[remote or in-person] Committee on Housing and Real Estate

Chicago City Council

Housing

Politics

Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024
10:30 a.m. — 12:30 p.m. CDT

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121 N LaSalle St Chicago, IL 60602 (Directions)

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Reporting

Edited and summarized by the Chicago - IL Documenters Team

Note-taking by Madeleine Davison

Some alders had questions last week about the “low affordability community” designation and the associated tax incentives introduced with a 2021 Illinois state law intended to encourage more affordable housing development in high-cost areas.

View notes

Live reporting by Michael Grotton

Michael Grotton @michaelgrotton

Hello! I'll be live-tweeting the October meeting of the Committee on Housing and Real Estate at 10:30am today for @CHIdocumenters #CHIdocumenters

10:16 AM Oct 1, 2024 CDT

Michael Grotton @michaelgrotton 2/19

Here is a link to the agenda for today's meeting: And here is a link to a description and the membership of the body: chicago.documenters.org/documents/agen… chicityclerkelms.chicago.gov/Legislative-Bo…

chicago.documenters.org/documents/agen… chicityclerkelms.chicago.gov/Legislative-Bo…

Michael Grotton @michaelgrotton 3/19

Had some live-stream issues, apologies! Jumping in now it looks like public comments just wrapped up.

Michael Grotton @michaelgrotton 4/19

Alderwoman Harris (8th) says the supportive living facility at 8200 S Ellis Ave "is essential" for "hav[ing] housing for non-seniors" in her ward, which she notes has no CHA housing. She is grateful to see this property maintained, motion is passed.

Michael Grotton @michaelgrotton 5/19

Next on the agenda is the designation of 1565 N Clybourn Ave as a Low Affordability Community introduced by Alderman Hopkins (2), which a developer of the site says will allow to provide privately funded affordable units. Would reduce the tax assessment for the first 12 years.

Michael Grotton @michaelgrotton 6/19

Alderman Burnett asks why Alderpersons must come back to this committee to request Low Affordability Communities every time on a site-by-site basis. Alderman Harris asks for a map of all communities that would qualify as a Low Affordability under this relevant state statute.

Michael Grotton @michaelgrotton 7/19

This seems like the first time many Alderpersons on the committee are engaging with this relevant state law: ilga.gov/legislation/il…

ilga.gov/legislation/il…

Michael Grotton @michaelgrotton 8/19

Chair Sigcho-Lopez asks for an analysis of this statute in the city. There is concern that the city is missing out on property taxes when it doesn't need to be. The more developers that take advantage of the tax credit, the less money that will go to low income housing trust fund

Michael Grotton @michaelgrotton 9/19

But it appears the intent of the statute in conjunction with the 2021 ARO is to provide more on-site affordable housing instead of in-lieu fees. chicago.gov/city/en/depts/…

chicago.gov/city/en/depts/…

Michael Grotton @michaelgrotton 10/19

Next is an ordinance related to the acquisition, disposition and land-use changes of city-owned land as part of Mayor Johnson's "Cut The Tape" initiative. All items would still be subject to city council overview, just not some committees. chicago.gov/city/en/depts/…

chicago.gov/city/en/depts/…

Michael Grotton @michaelgrotton 11/19

DPD says this would save 1-2 months on development timelines. Alderwoman Harris says we still need to find ways to cut down on the land sale process. Committee is satisfied this doesn't reduce any meaningful review of projects, motion passes

Michael Grotton @michaelgrotton 12/19

Next 3 items are Lease Agreements for vacant city-owned land to create/maintain public outdoor plazas in the 3rd, 16th, and 24th wards. chicago.gov/city/en/depts/…

chicago.gov/city/en/depts/…

Michael Grotton @michaelgrotton 13/19

The 24th ward project is completely privately funded

Michael Grotton @michaelgrotton 14/19

Chair Sigcho-Lopez is asking a member of the audience to be silent or be removed. The audience member appears concerned with a separate issue and committee moves on with out much disruption.

Michael Grotton @michaelgrotton 15/19

Next item is the sale of some city lots under the ChiBlockBuilder program. The lots are proposed to be used for gardens, to be fenced and maintained.

Michael Grotton @michaelgrotton 16/19

Alderwoman Dowell asks what happens if owners don't maintain the properties. DPD says they follow up with the owners but is working on a process to reclaim properties after continued noncompliance

Michael Grotton @michaelgrotton 17/19

Two lots are sold to be used as extended yards as part of the Adjacent Neighbors Land Acquisition Program without comment chicago.gov/city/en/depts/…

chicago.gov/city/en/depts/…

Michael Grotton @michaelgrotton 18/19

Remaining items on the agenda are the sale of more vacant city lots primarily through the ChiBlockBuilder program, as well as one to Neighborspace for use as community garden. One item is held until next meeting. All else are passed without comment.

Michael Grotton @michaelgrotton 19/19

Meeting is adjourned at 12:27 PM, this concludes the October meeting of the Chicago Committee on Housing and Real Estate. It looks like no date has been set yet for the next meeting. For more meeting coverage, check out: chicago.documenters.org

chicago.documenters.org

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Agency Information

Chicago City Council

chicityclerkelms.chicago.gov

(312) 744-3166

@ChiCouncil

See Documenters reporting

The Chicago City Council is the legislative branch of the government of the City of Chicago and consists of the Mayor and Aldermen elected from each of the City’s fifty wards. Source

If you attend a meeting in person, be prepared to go through a security checkpoint and show photo ID.

Meetings are also livestreamed at https://www.chicityclerk.com/.

At this link, scroll down to “Meeting Notices.” Look for “Watch now” and click on the link with the meeting title to go to a livestream page. If you don’t see a link for the meeting, you may be early or the meeting may be starting late. Wait a few moments and try refreshing your Internet tab.

Recordings of past City Council meetings may be found here: https://vimeo.com/user100351763/videos/sort:date.

See also: “What to Expect at a Meeting of Chicago’s City Council” via the Better Government Association.