HOUSING NEEDS IN WEST RIDGE

While the City of Chicago’s population decreased between 2010 and 2020, the population in West Ridge increased by 7.2%.  Considering that dynamic and the possibility of housing being developed through the Western Avenue Corridor Study, WRCO conducted interviews with organizations in and serving the community to better understand housing needs.  We’ve compiled this information into a report which you can read below.  

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DGLT5CK9a-PnmnKiD7Sazg7bOsSUb4pC/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=100484911621818153724&rtpof=true&sdtrue 

OPPORTUNITIES

There is not a lot of vacant land in West Ridge but there is a sizable number of underutilized properties as pointed out by the Western Avenue Corridor Study and a walk down Touhy Avenue also shows underutilized spaces.  The Corridor Study highlighted parcels for infill housing where parking lots were not being used, empty buildings and stretches of land such as the western side of the street between Arthur and Albion.  

The study examined the land uses, development patterns, and circulation along Western, a heavily traveled and diverse corridor. The study analyzes the potential to:

• Increase density
• Promote a greater mix of land uses
• Improve how development relates to the surrounding, lower-scaled residential areas
• Enhance pedestrian safety through a forward-thinking design and planning process.

REZONING WESTERN

Zoning is an important tool for regulating new development. As of May 2024, the city is adjusting the zoning districts along the corridor to better align with the goals for land use and development as summarized in the Western Avenue Corridor Study. The proposed rezoning defines what types of development are appropriate on Western Avenue. Although some future zoning actions may still be necessary, especially for larger and more impactful projects, the additional transparency provided by rezoning will streamline the development process and attract necessary investment along the corridor. 

The City Council finalized a broad-based upzoning of Western Avenue covering most of the area from Howard to Addison.  Alderpersons Andre Vasquez (40th), Matt Martin (47th) and Maria Hadden (49th) worked on this aspect with the Department of Planning and Development and agreed to the upzoning.  This changed the zoning to allow more density and significantly shortened the time for developers to move their project to completion.  

The 50th Ward?

The 50th ward Alderperson Debra Silverstein did not sign off on the upzoning for the section of Western Avenue that is in her ward.  WRCO met with her to discuss the opportunities for developing housing in the ward, focusing on Western and Touhy Avenue. When asked why she didn't support the upzoning along with the other Aldermen, she replied that developers informed her that land prices would increase if the properties were upzoned proactively. This could lead to higher housing prices.  She is currently working with developers to encourage them to develop projects in the 50th ward, with rezoning taking place on a case-by-case basis.  She agreed to keep WRCO informed of development proposals and WRCO offered to support proposals which would increase housing opportunities in the ward.   

CANDIDATES FORUM FOR ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD

In the November election we will elect school board members for the first time to govern Chicago Public Schools.  The change will end 30 years of mayoral control.  The push for an elected school board began almost a decade ago fueled by parents and activists.  In 2021, state lawmakers passed legislation to create a half-elected, half-appointed 21-member board by 2025 and a fully elected board by 2027.

There are 10 districts across the city with 2 representatives in each district.  The West Ridge community is in District 2.  There are about 275,000 residents in each district and our district runs from Howard on the north to Montrose on the South; the Lake on the east and roughly Pulaski on the west.  It encompasses parts of Lincoln Square, Albany Park, Andersonville, Edgewater, all of Rogers Park and West Ridge.

The 3 candidates running in District 2 for 1 spot have all confirmed their attendance at our Forum.  The candidates are Ebony DeBerry, Kate Doyle, Maggie Cullerton Hooper and Bruce Leon.

Plan to attend our Candidates Forum on Thursday, September 12^th at 6:30PM at the Croatian Cultural Center, 2845 W. Devon.  Meet the Candidates and find out why they are running and what they stand for.

ELECTION DAY IS TUESDAY, MARCH 19

The WRCO Board wishes you and your family all of the hope, wonder, and joy that the season can bring. We look forward to the New Year to continue working in West Ridge to promote resident involvement, acceptance of our cultural diversity, and promotion of the arts to enhance the quality of life.   

Join us on Tuesday, December 5 at 6PM at the Northtown Library to hear a presentation by Joe Ferguson, the former Inspector General for the City of Chicago on reimagining Chicago. Joe recently concluded a 12 year tenure as Chicago's Inspector General, leading a 100-person independent municipal oversight agency spanning the administrations of three mayors. Under his stewardship the Chicago Office of the Inspector General garnered national acclaim for its government performance audits and audit-based evaluations of an array of city agencies and program, criminal and administrative investigations, and innovations in government data transparency.