FAQ: Kinzie Framework
The Kinzie Framework was adopted by the Chicago Plan Commission on May 16, 2019, as a part of the ongoing Industrial Corridor Modernization Initiative. Common questions about the Framework plan’s adoption by Plan Commission and potential next steps are answered below.
What is the Kinzie Framework?
The Kinzie Framework plan contains information on employment trends and land use changes within the portion of the Kinzie Industrial Corridor located west of Ogden Avenue to help guide City policies and ongoing private investment. Based on this data, the Framework also includes proposed zoning changes that seek to reinforce the corridor’s viability for industrial and other business operations. Its adoption by the Plan Commission provides guidance for public- and private-sector decision-making involving corridor development activity.
What zoning changes are proposed in the framework?
The Kinzie Framework recommends retaining the boundaries of the existing Planned Manufacturing District (PMD) 4. It additionally recommends shifting the internal boundary between the PMD’s two subareas and amending some of each subareas’ permitted uses. Within the western portion of the PMD (Subarea A), it suggests refining permitted uses that reinforce manufacturing and related industries. Within the eastern portion (Subarea B), it suggests adding permitted uses including office with no size restrictions, and retail and hospitality uses with size restrictions. The maximum Floor Area Ratio (FAR) for PMD 4 would remain at 3.0.
Why are residential uses not being recommended for the corridor?
Planned Manufacturing Districts (PMD) preserve the strength of the city’s industrial base by providing stable and predictable work environments for business operations that are often loud, odorous, unsightly, and operating 24 hours a day. Housing uses conflict with this type of environment for both residents and businesses. Given ongoing residential activity on the Near West Side and the planned Damen Green Line CTA station, the Department of Planning and Development (DPD) is studying opportunities for residential growth immediately south of the corridor through its ongoing Near West Side housing analysis.
What is the timeline for the changes in zoning?
As of early June, there is no specific timetable. Additional community outreach will take place before any zoning changes are proposed to City Council.
Do the proposed zoning refinements prevent new restaurants from opening?
No. Today, both “General Restaurants” and “Limited Restaurants” are allowed in PMD 4. Their main distinction under the zoning code is that a General Restaurant can have a nightlife element, while a Limited Restaurant’s sale of alcohol should be incidental to its primary food business. Under the zoning refinements proposed by the Kinzie Framework, Limited Restaurants would be permitted throughout the PMD, but General Restaurants would only be allowed east of Ashland Avenue in Subarea B.
Will the proposed zoning changes cause any business to close?
If adopted by City Council, the changes would have no impact on any business that is currently operating lawfully.
What kind of input has been received from the public and business owners?
For more than five years, the City has been engaging with the community on the future of the Kinzie Industrial Corridor through a number of different planning exercises. While developing this framework, the City hosted two community meetings in 2018 that were attended by approximately 200 people. A total of 26 companies were also interviewed as part of the process. The City notified approximately 500 community members that the draft framework was posted more than five weeks prior to the May meeting of the Chicago Plan Commission, and DPD received about 20 formal comments from members of the public. Additional community engagement efforts will be conducted by DPD before City Council considers any ordinance to implement the framework’s recommendations.
