Policy Initiatives >> Zoning Reform
Zoning as a complement to historic preservation
For historic communities throughout Chicago that have been, or may one day be, threatened by inappropriate development, properly planning for responsible growth has often been a challenge. The good news is that numerous communities have successfully opted for the creation of an histroic landmark district - the most effective preservation tool that the city offers. Unfortunately, most communities are not eligible to become an historic district. Those communities would therefore have to rely on other land use planning tools - like zoning.
It is Preservation Chicago's position that zoning, by itself, will never be able to guarantee the preservation of an historic neighborhood. Because the regulatory powers of zoning only relate to the height, bulk, and setbacks of a structure, it cannot ultimately prevent someone from demolishing or making inappropriate alterations to historic structures.
However, Preservation Chicago believes that historic communities that do not qualify for landmark protection can use zoning, to a certain extent, to promote and enhance historic preservation.
In addition, Preservation Chicago remains concerned that the frequent misuse and abuse of the Chicago Zoning Ordinance continues to have a deleterious effect on both individual historic buildings as well as historic communities.
To that end Preservation Chicago commits to continue:
- monitoring the application and enforcement of the Zoning Ordinance
- advocating for reforms to the Chicago Zoning Ordinance
- proposing new polices, like Renovation Zoning, that strengthen neighborhood preservation