Neighborhood Planning & Development

PRESERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT SUBCOMMITTEE

The project materials as listed on the Intake Form and discussed in the Design Guidelines and Required Review and Presentation Materials documents must be delivered to each committee member by 5 p.m. at least 4 business days prior to the sub-committee meeting date (i.e., on or before Thursday evening preceding the Tuesday evening meeting). Proposals for which the materials are not complete or which are not delivered by the deadline will be reviewed the following month.

Step 3
The project representative(s) will present all pertinent materials illustrating the proposed project to the Preservation & Development Subcommittee for review and comment by the committee members. After the presentation the representative(s) will be excused and the subcommittee members will discuss project and formulate the subcommittee’s position.

Step 4
The subcommittee will present its recommendations for review by the Board of the Wicker Park Committee.

Step 5
Depending upon the subcommittee’s recommendations, the project representative may be asked to return to the Preservation & Development Subcommittee for additional review of revised materials or said parties may be asked to present the development plans to the general membership at the next regularly scheduled meeting for a vote of the general membership. If the project representative is not asked to present to the general membership, skip Step 7.

Step 6
The General Membership Meeting is typically held on the first Wednesday of each month (see our calendar), and the presentation will be identified by the project address on the meeting agenda available at the meeting. Prior to the project’s presentation the Subcommittee Chairperson will present the subcommittee’s recommendations to the general membership.  After the project presentation a simple vote (for, against, or abstain) will be taken of all members present.

Step 7
The project representative, the applicable alderman, and/or any other relevant parties shall receive a letter noting the WPC’s recommendations concerning said project. Should the project be recommended for an additional review by the Preservation and Development Subcommittee return to step 1 to schedule a review by the subcommittee.

DESIGN GUIDELINES

Please note that these are general guidelines based on previous review experiences. Other issues may arise at any point in the review process. Material necessary may vary depending on the nature of the development proposal the review materials prior to the meeting is crucial for a well-considered evaluation of the proposed development.

The developer will be responsible for transmitting the required materials to each committee member by 5 p.m. at least 4 business days prior to the sub-committee meeting date (i.e., on or before Thursday evening preceding the Tuesday evening meeting). Proposals for which the materials are not complete or which are not delivered by the deadline will be reviewed the following month.

1. Parking Policy: 1.5 spaces per dwelling unit

2. Building Height: Visually document the existing heights of adjacent structures and those across the street and provide an analysis of how the proposed project will fit alongside those structures noted.

3. Preservation Objectives (these objectives are not limited to the Landmark District):

   i. Retain concentrations of historic structures.

   ii. Encourage preservation of significant historic structures while permitting compatible new construction as an alternate to the demolition of said structures.

   iii. As an alternative to the demolition of structures that are identified as historic structures by the Chicago Historic Resources Survey, consideration should be given to the methods of building stabilization and rehabilitation.

   iv. Rehabilitation of existing structures by owners and/or developers is strongly encouraged; particularly those found within the Landmark District.

   v. Of particular importance to the committee is the restoration of critical exterior features, such as porches, cornices, brick/stone work, and windows.

4. Optimize landscape areas and green space.

5. Maintain and enhance the existing balance and diversity of housing types in the residential zones and the mixed use character of the commercial zones.

For Landmark properties, WPC strives to adhere to The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation.

The Standards (Department of Interior regulations, 36 CFR 67) pertain to historic buildings of all materials, construction types, sizes, and occupancy and encompass the exterior and the interior, related landscape features and the building's site and environment as well as attached, adjacent, or related new construction. The Standards are to be applied to specific rehabilitation projects in a reasonable manner, taking into consideration economic and technical feasibility.

Please CLICK HERE to view the applicable Department of the Interior standards.

REQUIRED REVIEW and PRESENTATION MATERIALS

Data to include the following:

A.   Zoning data including:

1. Current zoning and proposed zoning if applicable.

2. Differences between current zoning and proposed zoning.

3. Lot area.

4. Current Floor Area Ratio (FAR) and proposed FAR.

5. Maximum allowable FAR.

6. Minimum Lot Area requirements and proposed MLA.

7. Total lot area.

8. Total developed area.

9. Parking required and provided.

10. Building height and or proposed building height.

B.   Site Plan

1. Illustrate existing site plan and proposed site plan.

2. Illustrate and note building lot.

3. Illustrate all required yards.

4. Illustrate parking required and provided.

5. Illustrate all proposed landscaping and fencing, providing all applicable detailing.

C.   Floor Plans

1. Illustrate existing floor plan(s) and proposed plan(s) with a level of detail required to submit for a building permit to the City of Chicago.

D.   Exterior Elevations

1. Illustrate proposed exterior elevations noting all materials to be used.

2. Illustrate proposed street front elevation illustrating five (5) adjacent structures on either side of the property being submitted for review. For corner lots submit elevations illustrating the profile of the building across the street if no adjacent structures exists.

3. Note all floor, ceiling and overall building heights.

E.   Photographs

1. Submit photographs of the neighboring buildings adjacent to the property being submitted for review.

2. Submit existing photographs of the existing project and all pertinent details.