The meeting has not yet adjourned, but "What You Won’t Do for Love" by @bobbycaldwell is being played over the livestream

Committee members are now visible on screen, but their mics are muted. The meeting does not appear to have been called to order

@bobbycaldwell *been called to order, not adjourned

The meeting has been called to order

Public speaking is about to begin. There are expected to be a lot of speakers.

Aaron Feldman advocates for the expansion of the ADUs ordinance, which surveys show are popular with both alderpeople and voters. Benefits include family support from multigenerational housing, rental income to prevent displacement of low-income homeowners, and climate benefits

@stevevance , land use consultant and founder, says in the 3 years since ADUs were first permitted, they have helped decrease the housing shortage. However, not enough have been approved, and Vance says Chicago should prioritize expanding the ordinance

@stevevance Mr. Blakemore (didn't catch his first name) complains about the shortening of public comment time to 2 minutes rather than 3 minutes per person

@stevevance Brian Peterman, 47th ward homeowner, speaks in support of ADUs. His mother-in-law lives in a coach house on his property, which he says has allowed him to be able to afford to raise a young child in Chicago

@stevevance He proposes removing the square footage cap, and expanding the program citywide.

@stevevance Joseph Miscimerra @jmisci, resident of an ADU, spoke in support of expanding the program. He says it will prevent displacement and high-pressure bidding wars. It will also be beneficial for children, elderly people, and the planet.

Molly Fleck @LampingFleckPC , Lincoln Park resident, supports the ADU expansion. ADUs are banned in her neighborhood but she would like to build one. She describes benefits including flexibility, popularity, and benefits for children.

Tom Mayer spoke in opposition to the proposed residential building at 5404 N Ashland because it will be a "godzilla," blocking light and causing flooding. "I'm for affordable housing, but we can do better," he said.

Austin Kadrowsky, @UrbanEnviroIL member, supports the expansion of ADUs to the rest of the city. He read a series of supportive comments from other UEI members.

Jeralyn Fallon, attorney, spoke against the 5404 N Ashland development. She cited letters and petitions against the zoning change, saying there is "no reason" to grant it—the developers could build within the existing zoning parameters.

It is 4 stories tall compared to 2-3 for other nearby buildings and will "tower over all the other buildings."

Matthew Keen supports expanding the ADU ordinance. He said it will better meet market demand, fight gentrification, and support multifamily homes. As a resident of Lakeview, an ADU pilot area, he says the effect on neighborhood character has been minimal.

One public commenter spoke in opposition to the 5400 N Ashland development because it would take away parking spaces and he feels the increased density would ruin the character of the neighborhood.

Marlene Hopkins, appointed by @ChicagosMayor as Commissioner of Department of Buildings, expressed her appreciation to the committtee. She has worked in the Department of Buildings for 17 years.

She has been criticized for her role in a 2020 Little Village coal plant implosion.

She cites community engagement and efficiency as ongoing priorities, and thanks the committee for considering her appointment.

Judge Leonard Murray supports her appointment, saying she has "an iron fist and a velvet glove" and is "overqualified" for the position.

Daniel Cruz, Faithworld Church pastor, said Hopkins compassionately supported Faithworld's 2015 move to a new location. "Marlene Hopkins is a true hero in our eyes. We will always remember her kindness and generosity," he said.

Donald Finn, IBEW Local 134 union Business Manager, said Hopkins has helped "guide young African American and Hispanic people into our trades." He urges the committee to vote yes.

Ryan Rivera, Chicago Commanding Fire Marshal, says Hopkins has "aided our large-scale complex investigations," helped acquire equipment, and "streamlined the process of addressing derelict buildings that are a danger to the public."

Edgar Diaz @Chief2912, AFSCME Council 31 staff representative, said Hopkins has helped employees find mutually beneficial solutions, and has always been there for them.

@AldermanHarris described Hopkins as responsive, knowledgeable, and closely involved with the community.

@Alderman_Beale said he has always reached out directly to Hopkins for help even before she became the Commissioner, and has known her to be dependable for a long time.

@AldermanHopkins urged every committee member who is considering voting no to "change your mind right now" so the appointment could be a unanimous yes.

@AldermanHMoore asked Hopkins about her professional background, then summarized it as demonstrating that she has always aimed for perfection.

@46thWardChi said Hopkins was helpful to her as a new alderperson, and has helped her problem-solve. She asked about preventative measures for homeowners, and Hopkins said there is no one-size-fits-all solution.

@AldermanBurnett said the effective functioning of the Department of Buildings is important both for safety and for economic development, and that he trusts Hopkins to perform well. He describes her experience within the department as beneficial.

@AldermanBurnett @AldermanLaSpata said the Cut the Tape initiative is "not a slogan," it's about "a hundred non-sexy, non-headline grabbing" tasks that he trusts Hopkins to do well.

@AldermanBurnett @AldermanLaSpata @the48thward thanked Hopkins for her work with disabled residents. She supported Hopkins' commitment to modernizing the online data portal.

@AldermanBurnett @AldermanLaSpata @the48thward I believe this is the portal in question

@AldermanBurnett @AldermanLaSpata @the48thward @lawsonfor44 praised Hopkins commitment to action, not just talk.

Marlene Hopkins' appointed was confirmed unanimously.

Matt Crawford, on behalf of the Department of Planning of Development, recommended that Apollo's 2000 be designated as a historic landmark.

Crawford said the 1989 conversion from a closed movie theater to an event venue saved the building from demolition, and praised the owners' work to make that happen.

The ordinance was passed unanimously.

Permits for large signs were granted to 4 locations: 2 Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center facilities, Extra Space Storage, and Small Cheval.

Small Cheval had some controversy over a large sign in a different location.

Regarding the Ashland affordable housing building: applicant Josh Bradley and his attorney, Thomas Moore, are presenting on the development. Moore described community engagement processes and responsive changes to the project.

Moore denied the assertion that there are no other 4-story buildings in the neighborhood. "It's ideally located to place some density near the commercial center and transportation there. There is almost no affordable housing in the area."

@Andrefor40th says early community meetings got 300-400 written responses, about evenly split between support and disapproval. Disapproving responses tended to be based on aesthetics and height.

Vasquez said he supports the development, and does not buy the argument that affordable housing ruins a neighborhood.

The ordinance passed with no objections.

Nick Ftikas, attorney, presented on behalf of Azaad LLC. They would construct a residential building with 43 units, 9 of which would be designated affordable housing units. The development would include interior parking. The ordinance passed.

Sara Barnes, attorney, presented on behalf of applicant Development Group LLC- Wrigley Branch about the proposed construction of a 4-story 3-unit residential building and detached 3-story parking garage. The group went through a very similar process in June of 2023, Barnes said

The item passed without objections.

Marcus Perkins, owner of the Swift mansion in Bronzeville, requested a conversion from 3 to 8 dwelling units. The building recently suffered from fire damage.

Attorney Warren Silver, on behalf of Trimtab LLC, spoke about the return of a Lincoln Ave property to its previous zoning after remodeling. The project brought in 35 jobs, Silver said. The item passed without objections.

@GrowGreater's proposed zoning change to establish a community center on Stewart Ave passed without objections.

@jessiefor26th spoke in support of two proposed changes by William Aquino, saying they will bring in more affordable housing and prevent gentrification that has occurred since construction of the 606. "We love building 3-flats on vacant lots. It's exactly what our families need."

The items both passed without objections.

Applicant Crystal L. Hammond's request to permit the construction of a 3-story multi-unit residential building on a vacant lot passed without objection.

Applicant Jeff Ng proposes to divide a lot on South Hillock Ave into two lots; one would contain the existing single-family home and the other would have a 3-unit residential building constructed. The item passed without objections.

The zoning change for a proposed Southport 7-unit residential building was first approved in 2020, but the applicant was unable to complete the project due to pandemic complications. The item passed without objections.

^This was according to attorney Tyler Manic

The oning change for the conversion of the vacant ground floor of a mixed-use building into a residential unit on Blue Island Avenue passed without objections.

@RolyAcostaJAGCo said the proposed rezoning for a Bryn Mawr property was approved pre-2020 and fell through, but the developer now has the funds to complete the project. It would add 3 stories to an existing 4-story building, adding 30 dwelling units.

The building has been vacant for at least a decade, and was previously a commercial building, Acosta said.

The item passed without objections.

1157 W Grand Ave currently is commercial use on the ground floor and residential on the top floor. The proposed zoning change would allow the residential floor to become a time-share property, with no changes to the building. The item passed without objections.

Last agenda item: redevelopment of a N Carpenter property to include commercial space and up to 72 residential units. Range 455 Owner LLC asks to reduce the required parking from 60 to 30 spaces and reduce the rear yard setback to 12 feet. The item passed without objections.

The meeting is adjourned.