Chicago City Wire

New zoning designations approved by the City Council will enable redevelopment in Chatham, Morgan Park, and South Chicago for Missing Middle housing projects. More than 800 properties are affected by this change.

Approximately 765 properties are transitioning from an RS-3 district, which allows single-family homes, to RT-4, which permits small multi-unit buildings. Additionally, around 40 properties are being rezoned from a B3-2 district, allowing small mixed-use buildings, to B2-2, which also permits residential uses on the ground floor.

In Chatham, the rezonings cover areas generally bounded by Parnell Avenue, Vincennes Avenue, 79th Street, and 81st Street (168 parcels). In Morgan Park, the areas include land generally bounded by Vincennes Avenue, Racine Avenue, 107th Street, and 111th Street (455 parcels). In South Chicago, rezonings affect regions generally bounded by Manistee Avenue, Houston Avenue, 79th Street, and 81st Street (183 parcels).

The Department of Planning and Development leads the Missing Middle Infill Housing initiative. This program aims to incentivize the redevelopment of vacant lots with walk-up buildings that have been absent due to years of disinvestment. Developer applications are currently open for 54 City-owned lots in these neighborhoods.

For further details about the program and application process visit the Missing Middle website.