After the developer revised a 14-story building proposal, with 365 rental dwelling units, to 10 stories with 293 apartments, 2nd Ward Alder Brian Hopkins has said he won’t grant a necessary zoning change to co-developers White Oak Realty Partners and CA Ventures. Curbed Chicago has the scoop.
Hopkins cites “community” concerns related to “size and height, density, parking configuration, and potential increase in traffic”.
The building, at 657 W North Ave, would replace a strip mall.
The nearest CTA ‘L’ station is about 900 feet away, or 1.5 blocks, at North/Clybourn. Another ‘L’ station is about 1,800 feet away, or just under 3 blocks, at Segdwick. Few high-density apartment buildings have the opportunity to be so close to two different ‘L’ lines — Red and Brown.
If the City Council adopts Mayor Emanuel’s proposed ordinance that increases the affordable dwelling units developers are required to build, called the ARO pilot, then the amount of affordable units in the Old Town and Lincoln Park would increase substantially, by 59 units. The current requirement is 10 percent and the new requirement would be 20 percent (20 percent of 58.6, but you round up to 59); there would be no buyout “in lieu fee” option.
All of the units have to be built either on-site or within the Near North ARO pilot area.
Well, this is all provided that Hopkins changes his mind and grants the zoning change on or after November 1, when the ARO pilot would take effect.