10 features for summer 2022

Summer is over, but our drive to improve hasn’t. We’ve heard valuable feedback from our members about data and new solutions that needed to be added to the platform. This is the second quarterly newsletter about new Chicago Cityscape improvements — there’s something for everyone.

We’ll also be demonstrating these features in a live webinar on Thursday, October 7, at 1 PM, called “Lunch Break Update with Chicago Cityscape”. RSVP is required in order to get the Zoom link.

Read our previous report about 12 new features for spring 2022.

1. Property Finder now works for citywide searches

This is our most exciting update: Filter through over 900,000 properties across Chicago in one Property Finder search. We improved our technology to be able to do this quickly. Before, Property Finder searches were limited to smaller areas like ZIP codes and Personal Places but now you can apply any of the dozens of filters (about incentives, transit, property class, etc.) to all of the properties in Chicago.

2. New Property Finder filters

We’ve added several new filters to Property Finder, including finding properties that have sold recently and setting minimum and maximum sale prices for that search; finding properties near supermarkets; building age; and properties not in a Chicago liquor moratorium area.

3. Playbooks

Playbooks are a collection of plays (tutorials) that teach how to accomplish very specific and job-related goals, like due diligence on a property and advertising a recent sale to nearby property owners. Review which of our first batch of playbooks are for your use case.

4. Statewide schools map

Chicago Cityscape has long had a map of public and non-public schools in Chicago, primarily because of how it relates with cannabis business compliance. But a new data source has given us a map of all public and non-public schools across the State of Illinois. These schools will appear in the Amenities & Social Infrastructure maps, and on this statewide map.

5. Solar and wind energy tax credit boost

The Inflation Reduction Act has boosted the tax credit for solar and wind energy facilities and since there’s a geographic component we’ve added it to our Incentives Checker. Read more about the tax credit.

6. Super Parcel

Analyze multiple lots as if they were one. A Super Parcel in Chicago will calculate the number of dwelling units allowed, measure the land area, and advise if there are mixed zoning districts and elected representatives.

We are still working on the process to create a Super Parcel; in the meantime share with us a list of PINs or addresses and we’ll create the Super Parcel for you. A few members have already done this. Try it out by loading the Address Snapshot for the Kedzie Green Line Super Parcel.

7. New TOD ordinance is fully integrated

The new Connected Communities TOD ordinance revision that went into effect on July 20, 2022, is peppered into Chicago Cityscape’s policy tools. Address Snapshot’s Zoning Assessment saw the bulk of the changes: the housing calculator will call out opportunities where the minimum density rule applies, the bonus unit for accessibility, and new parking rules.

Additionally, Chicago Cityscape has short and long summaries of changes.

8. ARO rules matrix

It’s been nearly a year since the ARO 2021 rules went into effect. One of the biggest changes was to change the map of where certain rules applied. Of course, we updated our maps immediately last year. This year, though, we created an ARO Matrix that breaks down the rules by area; this video shows how that works.

9. New 2022/2023 ward maps

Candidates are collecting signatures to run for alderperson, especially given that one third of Chicago’s City Council is retiring. A lot of wards drastically changed in their shape (36th!) and even their location (34th!).

Everyone can look up an address and check the current and future wards. Remember, the citywide election on February 28, 2023, will be choosing alderpersons to represent the future boundaries. (Video demo.)

10. Statewide Enterprise Zones map

Enterprise Zones are one of the original incentives in our exclusive Incentives Checker (now counting 36 geographically-based financial & development incentives). The fundamental incentive, available the widest array of projects, is a waiver of state sales tax on construction materials — this can save you tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Now you can browse a map of Illinois to see how prevalent the 102 Enterprise Zones are across the state. (Enterprise Zones are also a filter in every Place’s Property Finder tool.)

10 features for summer 2022 was originally published in Chicago Cityscape’s Blog on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.