1st public speaker Mr. Adams discussed We Will's waste of land space relative to density, suggesting a re-zoning of the city since it is "stifling and very conservative and doesn't allow us to do the things we need to make things equitable, and to bring that density back."

He goes on to compare the Pilsen plan with a proposed project in his own neighborhood, saying that in Pilsen they only intend to build up to 280 units on 7 acres of land, while the proposal in his neighborhood includes more than 800 units on 8 acres of land. #land #WeWillChicago

Adams suggested that there needs to be more commercial property tax relief instead of down-zoning, along with a few other ideas. "Build an urban store on the North side along the Bloomingdale line. [..]

.. with the Woodlawn station project, please extend the green line back towards the area along 63rd St. [..] Everything that's going on in the West Loop right now, don't slow it down. Turn the Fulton Market into a TIF district and capture that money for the infrastructure."

The 2nd commenter spoke in support of Item D1, an amendment to permit use of a "Sports & Recreation" area in the properties generally located at 1653-1739 W Webster Ave and 2075-2189 N Elston Ave. He stated that the applicant was a pleasure to work with.

Motion to approve the items C1, C2, and C3, passed. #Chicago #PlanCommission

Item D1, the "Sports & Recreation" amendment. See site plan, aerial render, and planning context. Goals are to maintain the North Branch Industrial Corridor as an economic/job center, improve transit access, and enhance the existing natural environment to brighten up the area. https://t.co/tKEFnOsFr4

Amendment timeline and pedestrian view. "No changes are proposed to the site plan or design of the existing buildings within Sub-Areas A, B, or C." #sports #recreation #chicago https://t.co/W0YfDUlSxR

This is a $1.1m investment in Logan Square, with creation of approx. 75 construction jobs and 15-20 permanent jobs. 26% of total construction budget are MBE contracts, 6% are WBE contracts, and 50% of workers will be city residents. #business #economy #logansquare #chicago https://t.co/6mX7OTZpsw

Motion to approve Item D1, passes. Next is Item D2, a proposal to demolish an existing 3 story commercial building and replace it with a 2 story commercial buildling (with no 3rd floor storage area). #Chicago https://t.co/Mg87aQr5fK

Timeline, context, and site plans. This project intends to improve the pedestrian environment and strengthen commercial activity. #Chicago #retail #land #commercial https://t.co/x9ZqJiPSM0

Aerial and pedestrian view renders. Motion to approve Item D2 passes. https://t.co/oWnuqO2Rpt

Item D3, to allow for additional permitted uses at the properties generally located at 6111-6199 N Lincoln Ave and 6231-6257 N McCormick - Residential Waterway Planned Development #796. See site context, timeline and summary. https://t.co/7KKxIF3XBG

With no questions from Commissioners, Item D3 passes. Onto the Chairman's Report regarding We Will Chicago, which will give us updates on the process and what's going on now. #WeWill #WeWillChicago #Chicago

Commissioner Cox prefaced the We Will presentation with a map displaying increasing income disparities across the city since the last citywide plan in 1970. Cox wants Chicago to return to what it used to be, an affordable and livable city. #Chicago #incomeinequality https://t.co/jQFG73vc9A

Phases of We Will: planning, research and engagement pilot programs, policy creation/citywide public engagement, and implementation. We are currently in the policy creation phase, which will draft a policy pla plan ready for public review in June. #WeWill #Chicago https://t.co/IgawTnn3Gn

Pillar Research Teams are overseen by an Advisory Committee. Each team is made up of volunteers, community partners, co-chairs, and city/sister agencies. Teams are supported by research and facilitation leads, a Documenter, and the artist/organizer team. https://t.co/HB0B2QzHkh

Breakdown of community partners and volunteer demographics. #WeWill #Chicago https://t.co/5t1rmnSvNg

The goals of this plan are to align annual budgets, projects and policies, ensure equitable development, establish standards for inclusion of public decision-making and community plans, and inform land use/zoning decisions. #WeWill #Chicago https://t.co/bxI193BZh8

Pillar co-chairs then hopped on the call to introduce each of the pillars: arts & culture, economic development, environment, housing & neighborhoods, transportation & infrastructure, public safety, and education.
Here's more info: wewillchicago.com/pillars-themes…

Comm. Cox referenced Lightfoot's Invest South/West plan and suggested that it addresses just the short-term, then emphasized that initiatives like We Will should be embedded into public policy so that their lifespan doesn't last only as long as an administration. #development

More on Invest South/West: chicagotribune.com/business/ct-bi…
#Chicago #InvestSouthWest #LoriLightfoot #WindyCity

Chairman Cordova asked how detailed the implementation steps and their strategies are. Kathy Dickhut from DPD responded that they're currently working on the details of implementation. For now they need to wrap-up their bullet points, and after that grind out technical details.

Commissioner Reyes asked if there have been conversations about financing. Dickhut answered that federal dollars (ARP funds) might be the main source. Cox stated that "Here we will have a policy document that should be able to guide city council decisions, and that involves..

.. questions of land use, as well as allocation of resources across the city. [...] That budget will be informed by a citywide plan." #WeWill #Chicago #ARP #relieffunds

Cordova then announced that her term as Chairman expired on January 20th of this year, and so this will be her last Commission meeting. Smita Shah's term as Vice-Chair also expired and she has stepped down already as member and vice-chair of the Commission.

Laura Flores will be the new Chair and Andre Brumfield will be the new Vice-Chair. Cordova made some goodbye remarks, then thanked Shah for her tenure. Shah came on the call and reflected on some of her favorite projects throughout her 14 year term.

Cordova then thanked all of her colleagues, planning staff, and project partners for all of the good work they've done on various projects and initiatives. She's proudest of her work on integrating stakeholders into city development processes.

For the rest of the meeting, other Commissioners thanked former Chair and Vice-Chair Cordova and Shah for their years of service to the Commission. Meeting adjourned around 12:35pm. Goodbye Commissioners Cordova and Shah! #Chicago #CHIDocumenters #PlanCommission #development