The Chicago Grand Neighbors Association (CGNA) was founded in part to have a voice concerning building development and to protect the neighborhood from over development. To that end, a major component is the Planning and Development Committee, a.k.a. P & D Committee. The P&D Committee review all new construction or existing building projects within CGNA boundaries for which property owners and developers request from the 1st Ward Alderman a zoning classification change, a zoning variance, or a change of use group or special use permit. In addition, the P & D Committee oversee and facilitate Community Meetings on zoning change requests.
CGNA P&D Committee consider zoning changes exception not rule and examine each request on its merit.
The P & D Committee along with the CGNA Board of Directors have developed a series of documents describing procedures, guidelines, and requirements for the submission and review of projects that require a zoning change within the CGNA neighborhood. These policies, procedures, and standards are dynamic and the committee may make changes to best meet community needs. Attached to this website are the following documents:
- CGNA Community Zoning Guidelines
- CGNA Planning and Development Committee Presentation Standards,
- CGNA Zoning Change Request Data Sheet
- Grand Avenue Zoning Plan
The guidelines, presentation standards, and zoning change data sheet primarily were created for development within interior streets of the CGNA boundaries. The Grand Avenue Zoning Plan was created by a special task force made up of Wards 1, 26, and 27 residents and business owners and a representative from the Industrial Council of Northwest Chicago (ICNC).
The primary zoning for the CGNA interior area is RS-3 single family homes. CGNA support the continued maintenance of the existing building stock wherever feasible and generally support new projects that are single-family homes consistent with the context of the surrounding homes.
CGNA P&D Committee review zoning changes for multi-development projects on a case by case basis. Important elements under review include lot size and lot configuration, a development’s fit within the context of adjacent existing buildings especially height, and new development located on Chicago, Ashland, Grand, or Damen where the property is currently zoned for multi-unit development.
All projects in CGNA’s boundaries that receive a city zoning change are Type 1 zoning changes: the owner/developer must build exactly the plan that is presented and approved in receiving the zoning change.
Chicago Grand Neighbors Association 