Chicago has room to grow again. In 1950, more than 3.6 million people lived in Chicago. Today, the city has about 2.7 million residents.
That means Chicago has previously supported nearly 900,000 more residents than it does today.
I want Chicago to make it easier to build the homes needed for future growth.
Make It Easier to Build
Developers and homeowners should not face unnecessary barriers when building housing that meets reasonable safety standards.
Chicago should review its permitting, zoning, and approval processes. We should identify rules that unnecessarily delay construction or make smaller projects financially impossible.
The goal should be a process that is predictable, understandable, and efficient.
- Allow 3-flats and 4-flats: Chicago should move away from single-family-only zoning and allow small multifamily housing in residential neighborhoods.
- Reconsider the two-staircase requirement: Safe alternatives should be allowed when they meet modern fire and building safety standards.
- Remove unnecessary building-size restrictions: Property owners should have more flexibility over how much of their lot can reasonably be used for housing.
- Make permitting easier: Housing that meets city requirements should not face unnecessary delays, uncertainty, or excessive approval processes.
Three-flats and four-flats have long been part of Chicago’s neighborhoods. Allowing more of them can create additional housing without requiring large apartment towers.
City rules should focus on health, safety, and impacts on neighboring properties. They should not unnecessarily dictate the exact size or layout of every building.
Building more homes can give families more choices. It can also bring more residents into neighborhoods that have lost population.
Allow More Neighborhood Businesses
Chicago should make it easier for residents to operate appropriate small businesses from their homes.
Residential property can sometimes serve more than one purpose without harming the surrounding neighborhood.
- Allow more home-based businesses: Residents should have greater flexibility to operate appropriate businesses from their property.
- Support neighborhood services: Small daycares, professional services, and similar businesses should be easier to operate when they do not create significant safety, noise, or traffic problems.
Allowing responsible home businesses can help residents start businesses with lower costs. It can also bring useful services closer to the people who need them.
Hold Vacant Property Owners Accountable
Property ownership also comes with responsibilities.
Owners should not be allowed to leave vacant land or abandoned buildings in dangerous condition while waiting for property values to increase.
- Vacant properties should be secured when necessary.
- Trash and illegal dumping should be removed.
- Dangerous conditions should be corrected.
- Owners should keep their property from becoming a safety problem for neighboring residents.
This does not require excessive regulation. It requires enforcing reasonable standards so vacant property does not harm the surrounding neighborhood.
Chicago should welcome development, allow neighborhoods to grow, and give property owners more flexibility.
At the same time, property owners should be expected to be responsible neighbors.