While I’m busy setting up a petition for you to sign to support the legalization of existing coach houses in Chicago and allowing new accessory dwelling units (ADU) to be built, I am posting a reading list in the meantime.
First, I want to show you a new feature on Chicago Cityscape: market analysis and the number of people who live within driving and walking distance of any given address. Small business owners want to know this kind of information, and real estate brokers share it in their marketing materials.
In looking at many of the maps, I’ve noticed that walking distances are severely truncated by expressways and expanded by diagonal streets. Because of the grid, most walksheds are diamond shaped but when you look up an Address Snapshot near the Kennedy Expressway and Milwaukee Avenue the walkshed is skewed.
Neighborhood news
- A majority of respondents to a survey think that (fruitlessly*) building new roads and bridges in the Goose Island and “Lincoln Yards” area should be a top priority; a slightly larger majority said that “transit optionality” should be a top priority. (Block Club Chicago)
- Some residents in Lakeview want 44th Ward Alder Tom Tunney to do more (Block Club) to lessen the impact of their increased assessed property values; municipal finance specialist Amanda Kass briefly explains why individual alders can’t do much about it (Twitter)
- GW Properties intends to build a 5-story with 20 apartments on the west side of the Hollander Storage building in Logan Square as of right (meaning no zoning change is needed) (Block Club Chicago)
- The proposal for affordable housing in Jefferson Park for veterans and people with disabilities hasn’t gone away. 45th Ward Alder John Arena announced on Twitter yesterday that the next meeting, on Tuesday, 8/14, will be a virtual meeting.
*Adding more capacity for cars on city streets or highways has had zero effect in reducing traffic congestion anywhere because of induced demand.