17-13-0500 Establishment of special character overlay district.

   17-13-0501 Initiation of Special Character Overlay District Amendment. An amendment to create a special character overlay district must be processed in accordance with the provisions of Sec. 17-13-0300, except to the extent that this section imposes additional requirements.

   17-13-0502 Application and Public Notice.

      17-13-0502-A Applications to establish a special character overlay district must include the following: 1) an in-depth written description of the physical characteristics and criteria eligibility of the neighborhood that necessitate the establishment of an overlay district; 2) a map of the proposed district boundary; 3) a list of all of the PINs, property addresses, and property owners within the area; 4) a letter from the Department of Planning and Development supporting the proposed overlay district.

      17-13-0502-B Public notice of an application for an amendment to create a special character overlay district must be given in the same manner as for other Zoning Map Amendments under Sec. 17-13-0300 except as expressly provided in this section.

      17-13-0502-C Whenever the applicant is a member of the City Council or the Zoning Administrator, notice may be served by first class mail.

      17-13-0502-D Upon receipt of any such application, the Zoning Administrator must transmit an original copy without delay to the Chairman of the City Council Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards.

      17-13-0502-E In addition to the persons to whom written notice must be provided under Sec. 17-13-0300, written notice of the filing of the application and of the community meeting required by Sec. 17-13-0503 must also be sent to the property owners of property within the proposed special character overlay district, as determined from the authentic tax records of Cook County.

      17-13-0502-F The application must address the factors to be considered by the City Council in determining whether the particular area qualifies as a special character overlay district.

   17-13-0503 Community Meeting. Before a public hearing is held by the City Council Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards, as provided for in Sec. 17-13-0300, to consider recommending the designation of any area as a special character overlay district, the Department of Planning and Development must hold at least one public meeting in the ward in which the proposed district is located for the purpose of explaining the proposal, soliciting comments on it, and making findings regarding the factors listed in Sec. 17-13-0505. The Department of Planning and Development must notify the Alderman or Aldermen of the ward(s) in writing of the time, place and purpose of the meeting and must also publish notice of the public meeting in a newspaper of general circulation within the ward(s). The Department of Planning and Development shall make all of the information presented at the meeting available to the public and shall provide a meeting summary of public input received.

   17-13-0504 Report and Recommendation. The Department of Planning and Development must submit a written report and recommendation on the proposed special character overlay district Amendment to the City Council Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards before the date scheduled for a formal public hearing before that Committee.

   17-13-0505 Factors to be Considered. In reviewing an application for a special character overlay district amendment, the City Council Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards must give consideration to all of the following factors:

      17-13-0505-A whether the property within the proposed special character overlay district meets the minimum requirements of Sec. 17-7-0602;

      17-13-0505-B whether the proposed overlay district is consistent with Sec. 17-7-0601;

      17-13-0505-C whether the existing zoning of the property would allow new development that is inconsistent with the unique characteristics within the proposed district;

      17-13-0505-D the area's importance to the city's heritage or identity, whether comprehensive plans exist for the area and the nature of recent and planned public and private investment within the area;

      17-13-0505-E whether supplemental special character overlay district regulations are needed to maintain the stability and unique character of the area or to promote development that is consistent with any adopted comprehensive plans or design guidelines for the area; and

      17-13-0505-F the proportion of land within the district that would become nonconforming if the special character overlay district Amendment were approved.

(Added Coun. J. 5-26-04, p. 25275; Amend Coun. J. 11-19-08, p. 47220, Art. VII, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 11-17-10, p. 106597, Art. IX, § 11; Amend Coun. J. 11-8-12, p. 38872, §§ 266 – 269; Amend Coun. J. 11-26-13, p. 67481, Art. I, § 30; Amend Coun. J. 10-7-20, p. 21785, § 1)