After deferring a few items, onto public comments. Seems there’s about a dozen speakers today.

Several speakers spoke in support of down-zoning the St. Adalbert’s church at 1650 W 17th Street. This would preserve and protect it from demolishment as an irreplaceable, historic site for parishioners in the community.

One speaker remarked that there wouldn’t be a need for constant city funding to maintain it - sustaining the church would pay for itself, since faith-based tourism is highly profitable.

“These are the building blocks of social cohesion.” Many communities, especially immigrant communities, found a home and identity in this church.

blockclubchicago.org/2020/10/29/cit…

One speaker advocated against down-zoning St. Adalbert’s, saying that it stunts other opportunities for development. He went on to say that Pilsen has lost residents and schools are under-enrolled, so the priority should be more developments instead of landmarking the church.

The final speaker did not support down zoning this church, citing expense issues with the building falling apart, break-ins, and an incident of someone dying inside the building. #faith #chicago

blockclubchicago.org/2019/10/02/bre…

Eric Wollan, capital assets manager at the Archdiocese stated that while he appreciates the sentiment for St. Adalbert’s, parishioners have had 3 years to come up with a viable resolution. It also requires massive investment (upwards of $25m for just repairs) that isn’t there.

The legal opinion is that down-zoning would simply eliminate all further development rights - it would not make it public access, nor prevent someone else from buying it out. #chicago #saintadalbert #church #development #zoning #landmark

Ald. Sigcho Lopez lamented that communication with the Archdiocese has been one-sided, and that the law dept did not raise any concerns. Lopez claims that they didn’t collaborate because the relevant departments were totally unresponsive.

“Our commitment is to have an open process. […] Make no mistake, this is a proposal that will blind-side our community if it goes unchecked.” -@SigchoFor25
11 YES votes, 4 NO votes. It’ll be reported out to the next city council meeting on Wednesday.

The commission then went through various change requests, sign post approvals, licenses, and other zoning and building applications. Most items passed, a few were deferred. Meeting adjourned at 2pm. #Chicago #zoning #Building #public #development

Watch the full hearing here:
vimeo.com/713032213