Alder Patrick Thompson (11th Ward) introduced five ordinances yesterday to downzone dozens of properties along Halsted Street and one property on Parnell Avenue in the Bridgeport community area. All of the existing zoning districts allow for buildings with mixed-uses and multi-unit residential above or simply multi-unit residential.
These zoning changes will prevent any new businesses from opening and obtaining a business license “by right” — all new businesses will have to get approval from Alder Thompson to get a zoning change to the appropriate classification before opening. Existing businesses wouldn’t be able to expand, add services, or add amenities (like a beer garden) without changing the zoning district beneath the business.
The city charges a $1,025 zoning change fee; there may be other costs, especially if one needs to hire a lawyer to ease the change. There is also a time cost, as a zoning change takes an average of three months to be approved.
The ordinances are:
The ordinances will be debated in the next zoning committee meeting in June.