Ward Zoning and Planning Committee Meeting: 3/28/07

Alderman Mary Ann Smith (MAS) began with a statement about federally-funded Community Development Block Grants (CDBGs) and the fact that monies for these grants are declining. As a result, she is directing community groups to begin looking for alternative sources of funding. She also said that those groups who are contemplating filing for CDBGs or who have started the process, should get the letters of request and forms in as the deadlines are looming.

Senn Field will soon be fully landscaped along Ridge Avenue. There will be up to $2 million in improvements to the auditorium. A sum of $8-9 million will be needed to upgrade the HVAC. Senn will soon have in-house a full healthcare counseling facility. There will be a community outreach event at Senn on March 31, 2007; please call the Ward office for details.

There have been a flurry of break-ins and thefts in the Edgewater area and no one is immune. MAS’ auto was stolen from her garage.

The Edgewater Slasher has been caught and anyone interested in being a court advocate should contact CAPS or Alex Wyman at the Ward office.

McCutcheon School has been inspected and the initial report is that the building is in such a state that it cannot be saved. 60% of the students are still attending classes in the "temporary" trailers and the school has no basics such as a cafeteria or library. As a result there will be plans to tear the school down and build a new one in its place. There is nothing firm on this yet, and we are assured that the neighboring community associations will be included in the development process.

Additionally, MAS is in the talking stages with the Boys and Girls Club on Sheridan to upgrade the facilities in look and programs.

Doug Fraser then spoke on the Ward’s initiatives with regard to the CTA and its plans for a 3 year overhaul of the Brown line and the less talked about 10 year (potentially) project for the Red Line. The Ward is seeking long term solutions and all may access details on the 48th ward website late next week. Some of these include a State of Illinois-sponsored van pool. A group of neighbors all starting from a nearby location and traveling to work together can apply and be given a van by the state. The state will pay for the van, the insurance, and the gas; the only thing to be provided by the users is a dedicated driver and a parking space for the van. The driver also gets 300 free personal-use miles per month. Tom Samuels and Doug Fraser will speak to interested groups upon request and will also help in securing a parking space if needed. The following additional ideas are being considered: car-ride sharing, HOV (High Occupancy Vehicle)-designated lanes on Lake Shore Drive, I-Go rental cars, and community bike-lending based on a European model. Many of these initiatives are being led by ASCO and ECC.

The discussion then moved to the agenda topic of the evening which was the existing Affordable Housing Ordinance, and the mayor’s new Affordable Housing Ordinance.

We were told that rental housing stock in the city has decreased by 12% or 71,000 units over the last few years. 1 in 2 renters now pay in excess of 35% of their income for housing. Over 26% of home owners pay in excess of 35% of their income for housing. The mayor wants to expand the affordable requirement ordinance.

Currently:

• If there are 10 or more units that get TIF or other forms of subsidy the developer must set aside 10% of units to below-market-rate plan or in lieu of these set-aside units pay $100,000 per unit to the city. The city splits the collected monies between the Low Income Housing Fund (which works with landlords on rental costs) and the Affordable Housing Program (which is a home ownership plan).
• The developer must set aside 10% of units or pay $100,000 per unit if there is a need for a zoning change from non-residential to residential.
• The developer must set aside 10% or pay $10,000 per unit in a PD (usually a PD is established with 25 or more units).
• If City land is purchased at a discount for development, the developer must set aside 10% of units at below market or make a $100,000 per unit contribution.

There are 2 Amendments proposed by the Balanced Development Coalition, of which ONE (Organization of the Northeast) is a member.

• Increase the unit set-asides from 10% to 20%.
• In a PD or when City land is obtained in any way that is discounted, increase the set-asides from 10% to 15%.
• Make no change in the "fee in lieu of units", or $100,000
• Rather than applying the calculation using the 6 county median income, BDC proposes to split the calculation in order that the monies be used in this manner:
  • 1/3 for those who qualify at 100% of AMI
  • 1/3 for those who qualify at 80% of AMI
  • 1/3 for those who qualify at 60% of AMI

Essentially, as our Ward stands right now, the plan by the Mayor for the city and the 48th Ward current plan are the same thing. BDC is asking to place two amendments before City Council to vote on expanding the plan to be more inclusive for people making less than the AMI qualifier of $62,000. Examples of people in this category are police, teachers, and healthcare givers.

What I need from everyone is their thoughts on this matter, as we will be voting on it at next month’s Z&P meeting and then MAS will vote as the Z&P committee directs.

I tried to make this as easy to read as possible. There were a lot of figures and percentages bandied about. The discussion was evenly split it seemed. Developers resisted it as an infringement that could stifle business. The ONE people who filled the room pushed for the increase in percentages to further their goal of providing more affordable housing in our area.

So, I will take whatever majority opinion is raised in this forum to the Z&P meeting next month and vote your voice.