Chicago City Wire

The Department of Planning and Development (DPD) has announced the completion of zoning changes for around 600 properties along the northernmost five miles of Western Avenue. This initiative aims to foster consistent and vibrant neighborhood development patterns.

These changes were coordinated by DPD in collaboration with Aldermen Andrez Vasquez (40th), Matt Martin (47th), and Maria Hadden (49th). The recommendations came from the Western Avenue Corridor Study, which was adopted by the Chicago Plan Commission in November 2022.

Most affected properties have been reclassified to Business Community Shopping District (B3) or Neighborhood Mixed-Use District (B2) designations. These classifications are designed to encourage a walkable, high-density, mixed-use environment with various retail and service options.

Key features of these zoning changes include a maximum floor area ratio of 3, with building heights capped at five to six stories. Existing buildings and businesses can continue their operations without disruption.

DPD Commissioner Ciere Boatright stated, “The changes will promote a more predictable and cohesive development environment compared to the random residential, commercial and business zoning that previously characterized the corridor.” She added that over time, "the new zoning will help create dynamic centers of activity at key intersections while providing for more housing and retail opportunities."

The B3-3 designation typically allows for retail and commercial activities on ground floors with up to five stories of commercial or residential use above. Meanwhile, B2-3 permits ground-floor commercial or residential uses.

Certain properties within the study area remain unchanged. These include parcels in the 50th Ward, properties with Planned Development designations, and major open spaces such as Warren Park, West Ridge Nature Center, and Korczak Park.

The outreach process for the Western Avenue Corridor Study involved over 20 community meetings—both in-person and virtual—numerous public transit advertisements, business interviews, more than 1,700 survey responses, thousands of flyers distributed across neighborhoods, and tens of thousands of direct mail postcards sent out. The study covered Western Avenue from Addition Street to Howard Street.