2-120-740 Alteration, relocation or demolition of landmarks – Permit review requirements.

   No permit for alteration, construction, reconstruction, erection, demolition, relocation, or other work, shall be issued to any applicant by any department of the City of Chicago without the written approval of the commission for any area, place, building, structure, work of art or other object for which the commission has made a preliminary recommendation for landmark status or which has been designated as a “Chicago Landmark” in the following instances: (1) where such permit would allow the alteration or reconstruction of or addition to any improvement which constitutes all or a part of a landmark or proposed landmark; or (2) where such permit would allow the demolition of any improvement which constitutes all or a part of a landmark or proposed landmark; or (3) where a permit would allow the construction or erection of any addition to any improvement or the erection of any new structure or improvement on any land within a landmark district; or (4) where a permit would allow the construction or erection of any sign or billboard within the public view which may be placed on, in, or immediately adjacent to any improvement which constitutes all or part of any landmark or proposed landmark. Any city department which receives an application for a permit as defined in this section shall forward the application, including copies of all detailed plans, designs, elevations, specifications, and documents relating thereto, to the commission within seven days of receipt thereof. It shall be a violation of this ordinance for an owner to perform, authorize or allow work or other acts requiring review without a permit.

(Prior code § 21-77; Added Coun. J. 3-11-87, p. 40272; Amend Coun. J. 2-26-97, p. 40085)

2-120-750 Permit review – Preexisting work.

   Erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration, or demolition work begun pursuant to a properly issued permit prior to a preliminary recommendation for landmark status shall not be subject to review by the commission unless such permit has expired, been canceled or revoked, or the work is not diligently proceeding to completion in accordance with the Chicago Building Code.

(Prior code § 21-78; Added Coun. J. 3-11-87, p. 40272; Amend Coun. J. 2-26-97, p. 40085)

2-120-760 Application for permit – Preliminary decision by commission.

   Within 15 days of its receipt of an application for a permit, as defined in Section 2-120-740, the commission shall issue in writing a preliminary decision approving or disapproving the application and shall notify the applicant and the appropriate city department of its preliminary decision.

(Prior code § 21-79; Added Coun. J. 3-11-87, p. 40272)

2-120-770 Application for permit – Preliminary approval by commission.

   If the commission finds that the proposed work will not adversely affect any significant historical or architectural feature of the improvement or of the district, and is in accord with the Standards for Rehabilitation set forth by the United States Secretary of the Interior at 36 C.F.R. 67, as amended from time to time, as well as the commission's published procedures, the commission shall issue a preliminary approval of the application. Upon receipt of the commission's preliminary approval, the appropriate city department shall proceed in its usual manner with its own review of the application. No substantial change shall be made to the work proposed in the application for the permit after approval by the commission without resubmittal to the commission and approval thereof in the same manner as for the original application.

(Prior code § 21-80; Added Coun. J. 3-11-87, p. 40272)

2-120-780 Application for permit – Preliminary disapproval by commission.

   If the commission finds that the proposed work will adversely affect or destroy any significant historical or architectural feature of the improvement or the district, or is inappropriate or inconsistent with the designation of the structure, area or district, or is not in accordance with the spirit and purposes of this ordinance, or does not comply with the Standards for Rehabilitation established by the Secretary of the Interior, the commission shall issue a preliminary decision disapproving the application for permit; provided, however, that if the construction, reconstruction, alteration repair or demolition of any improvement could remedy conditions imminently dangerous to life, health or property, as determined in writing by the department of buildings, or the board of health, or the fire department, the commission shall approve the work notwithstanding other considerations relating to its designation as a “Chicago Landmark” or to the fact that the commission has made a preliminary recommendation for landmark status.

(Prior code § 21-81; Added Coun. J. 3-11-87, p. 40272; Amend Coun. J. 9-13-89, p. 4604; Amend Coun. J. 2-26-97, p. 40085)

2-120-790 Preliminary disapproval – informal conference on alternative procedures.

   Within ten days after receiving the commission's notice of preliminary disapproval, the applicant for permit may request in writing an informal conference before the commission for the purpose of securing compromise regarding the proposed work so that the work will not, in the opinion of the commission, adversely affect any significant historical or architectural feature of the improvement or district and will be appropriate and consistent with the spirit and purposes of this ordinance. The commission shall hold such conference within 15 days after receipt of the request. The commission shall consider with the applicant every means for substantially preserving, protecting, enhancing and perpetuating the special historical or architectural feature of the improvement or district, including investigating the possibility of modifying the proposed work, the possibility of any alternative private use of the structure or structures that would substantially preserve its special features, and the possibility of public incentives for enhancing the use of the structure or structures or district involved. If the commission and the applicant for permit reach accord through the informal conference, the commission shall issue its approval of the application for permit as modified and so notify the applicant and the appropriate city departments in accordance with Section 2-120-760 and 2-120-770.

(Prior code § 21-82; Added Coun. J. 3-11-87, p. 40272)

2-120-800 Application for permit – Public hearing.

   If within 30 days after the conclusion of an informal conference under Section 2-120-790, the commission and applicant for permit have failed to reach accord or if the applicant fails to request an informal conference within ten days of receiving notice as provided in Section 2-120-790, the commission shall commence a public hearing on the permit application in accordance with Sections 2-120-670 and 2-120-680. The public hearing shall be concluded within 90 days after the commission has disapproved the permit unless the applicant requests or agrees in writing to an extension of time. The commission shall, within 30 days after the conclusion of the hearing, issue a written decision approving or disapproving the permit application. The decision shall contain the findings of fact that constitute the basis for the decision consistent with the criteria in Section 2-120-740. The commission shall send written notice of its decision to the applicant by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the appropriate city departments, to all parties registered at the public hearing, and to the city council.

(Prior code § 21-83; Added Coun. J. 3-11-87, p. 40272; Amend Coun. J. 2-26-97, p. 40085)

2-120-810 Application for permit – Final commission decision.

   Unless the decision is subject to city council review under Section 2-120-825, the written decision of the commission approving or disapproving an application for a permit under Section 2-120-800 shall be on the date it issues a final administrative decision appealable to the Circuit Court of Cook County under the provisions of the Illinois Administrative Review Law, as amended.

(Prior code § 21-84; Added Coun. J. 3-11-87, p. 40272; Amend Coun. J. 9-1-99, p. 10907, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 3-31-04, p. 20916, § 4.8)

2-120-815 Permit fee waivers.

   Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code to the contrary, the city council shall, by the passage of an appropriate order, waive any fees charged by the City of Chicago for the issuance of any permit for which approval of the commission is required pursuant to this chapter, provided, however, that this section shall not apply to any permit to be issued in connection with a property that has been classified for tax purposes as a Class L property pursuant to the Cook County Real Property Assessment Classification Ordinance.

(Added Coun. J. 2-26-97, p. 40048; Amend Coun. J. 6-25-14, p. 83137, § 11)