Downzoning to residential-only would affect existing businesses

Two recent news reports about the proposals to change the zoning of business districts in South Shore and Bridgeport into a zoning class that allows only the new construction of single-family housing suggest that the change wouldn’t affect existing businesses.

Existing businesses could be affected in several ways if their zoning is changed from one that allows them (B, C) to one that doesn’t (R):

1. They will not be able to expand into an adjacent space
2. They will not be able to move into a different space in the neighborhood that also has the residential-only zoning
3. They will not be able to sell additional products or services that are regulated by zoning code (this is mostly relevant to a business that would want to add live entertainment with a public place of amusement license, or start serving liquor; it would also prevent a laundromat from adding dry cleaning drop off service)
4. They will not be able to do certain kinds of renovations or pull certain kinds of building permits
5. They won’t be able to add a patio or beer garden (regardless of liquor license status)
6. They won’t be able to put a sign up on their building
7. They cannot sublease and vacate their space to another business (once a business is legally nonconforming in a space, it cannot transfer this status to a new business that would occupy the same space)

All of these restrictions can be circumvented by either a zoning change back to B or C, an “administrative adjustment” made by the zoning administrator, or getting a variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals — all an arduous, timely, and costly process.

Track zoning changes citywide, or in your area

Neighborhood news

• The Chicago Tribune dropped an astonishing analysis about residential property taxes in Cook County and how the assessor’s office has been undervaluing high-value homes and overvaluing low-value homes for a decade because of a sneaky assessment model (you can also enter your address to see how if your block is under- or overvalued)
• The recipients of the first round of grants from the Neighborhood Opportunity Fund were announced; Sip & Savor will open a fourth coffee shop, in Bronzeville (Sun-Times)
• City Bureau is hosting a “public newsroom” event tonight about the West Side, including stories about a former city incinerator, and “questions of environmental justice and land use”

• Column: Mayor Emanuel should support the affordable housing proposal in Jefferson Park so “we can move past our racist history” (Reporter)
• Southwest Organizing Project and Brinshore Development are buying vacant houses and refurbishing them, need to raise $10 million (WTTW)