Community Driven Zoning and Development

Overview

The 12th Ward Office of Alderwoman Julia Ramirez implements a Community Driven Zoning and Development (CDZD) process. If a property owner or developer in the ward requires an amendment for zoning (or a “zoning change”), the developer would apply for Aldermanic support. The Alderperson considers the input of ward residents and community organizations before making their decision. Residents’ knowledge of the needs and history of our communities is invaluable in the consideration of zoning changes. Our intent is to create a clear, consistent, participatory, and transparent zoning process. For a quick overview / introduction to zoning and our CDZD process click here.

For Applicants

Please read our CDZD procedure in the document linked here.

If you want to meet to understand more about the CDZD process, you can join us on Ward Night or send an email to our office sabrina@the12thward.org. Our office is committed to answer questions about our CDZD process, point you onto next steps, and share the overall vision for developments from members of our 12th Ward community and our CDZD partnering organizations.

Proposed Zoning Changes

Zoning change requests may be submitted to the City of Chicago at any time by property owners. The 12th Ward office uses a Community Driven Zoning process that includes a public meeting and feedback period before any letters of support or opposition are issued in response to zoning change requests.

  • The applicants request a rezoning of the property at 3301 S Justine St. from M2-1 to a Residential-Business Planned Development with an underlying C2-3 Zoning. The applicant proposes the zoning change to allow for a mixed use planned development with approximately 14,000 SF of retail space and 223 dwelling units.

    Renderings and site plan are available here.

    A community meeting was held on 4/8/25. You can access the live recording here. Please submit your feedback to the proposal at this link. The link will be open for 2 weeks.

    Here is the recommendation from the NLO’s: MPDC

    Here is our letter of support for the development.

  • The current owners of Michael’s Sports Lounge, located at 4501 S Archer Ave, are looking to sell. We would like to invite the community to meet the new prospective owner and discuss what the plan is for the business moving forward.

    A community meeting was held on 3/12/25. You can find a live recording here. Please submit any feedback to the proposal here. The form will be open for 2 weeks.

  • The applicant, AGGLP Investments LLC, requests a rezoning of the property at 3338 S Damen Ave. from RS-3 Residential Single-Unit District to C2-1 Motor Vehicle Related District. The applicant proposes the zoning change to allow for outdoor storage on a vacant lot for an existing business, La Palapa, owned by the applicant that is located on adjoining lot.

    A community meeting was held on 10/23/24. You can access the live recording here. Please submit your feedback to the proposal here. The form will be open for 2 weeks.

  • The applicant, Bernardo Gonzalez, requests a rezoning of the property at 4458 S California Ave. from RS-3 Residential Single-Unit District to B2-3 Community Shopping District. The applicant proposes to redevelop the property's first floor space into an ice cream store, Paleteria La Monarcha Michoacána.

    A community meeting was held on 08/28/24. You can access the live recording here. You can see a summary of the proposal (in English and Spanish) here. Please submit your feedback to the proposal here. The form will be open for 2 weeks.

    Here is our letter of support for this zoning map amendment.

  • The applicant is looking to expand their facilities by adding a second data center to their property.

    A community meeting was held on 08/26/24. You can find the live recording here and the presentation slides here (English and Spanish). Please submit your feedback to the proposal here. The form will be open for 2 weeks.

  • The 11th and 12th Ward have been working together on an ordinance that would change the zoning for properties on 35th Street from Seeley Ave to Ashland Ave.

    A community meeting was held on 7/22/24, you can find the live recording here, and the presentation here.

    The ordinance was passed on 2/18/25. Please reference this chart to see what businesses are allowed in B3-2 zoning.

  • The applicant, NICOLEBRO LLC / Jaesung Lim, requests a rezoning of the property at 3800 S Kedzie Ave. from B3-1 to B3-3 Community Shopping District. The change is to allow for more density because the applicant proposes to redevelop the property's 1st floor space to 4 office spaces. Applicant wishes to make alterations to the second floor dwelling unit as well.

    A community meeting was held on 07/02/24. You can access the presentation here. Please submit your feedback to the proposal here. The form will be open for 2 weeks.

    Here is our letter of support for this zoning amendment.

  • The applicant, Baoyi Jiang, requests a rezoning of the property at 3355 W 38th St. from the Residential Single Unit District RS-3 to B2-2 Neighborhood Mixed Use District. The applicant proposed to redevelop the property’s front unit as a small business such as tea shop, cafe shop, bakery or grocery store.

    A community meeting was held on 01/23/24. You can access the live recording of the meeting here, and the information sheet here. Please submit your feedback on this proposal here. The form will be open for 2 weeks.

    Here is our letter of support for this zoning amendment.

  • The applicant, Ningjie Cao, requests a rezoning of the property at 3933 - 3935 S California Ave. from the B1-1 Neighborhood Shopping District to C1-3 Neighborhood Commercial District. The applicant proposed to redevelop the property’s first floor with a beauty and wellness spa that offers facials, homeopathic treatments, acupuncture and foot massage.

    A community meeting was held on 01/23/24. You can access the live recording of the meeting here, and the information sheet here. Please submit any feedback on this proposal here. The form will be open for 2 weeks.

    Here is our letter in support of this zoning amendment.

  • The applicant, Skyriver Archer Development LLC, requests a rezoning of the property at 3222 - 3260 S Archer Ave., 3223 - 3233 S Wood St. from the B3-3 Community Shopping District to C1-2 Neighborhood Commercial District. The applicant proposed to redevelop the property with a new car wash facility with accessory office space.

    A community meeting was held on 12/01/23. You can access the slide deck presentation here.

    Here are the recommendations from the NLO’s: MPDC

    Here is the letter to the developer from the alderwoman where she details why she has decided not to support this zoning change.

    UPDATE 6/5/24: The applicant has decided to move forward with their original Type 1 ordinance approved in 2017 which includes a plan to develop the lot with two 1-story retail buildings.

    A community meeting was held on 5/2/24/ You can access the live recording of the meeting here, and the slide deck presentation here.

    Here is our letter of support for this updated plan.

  • The applicant, Brookfield Properties, requests a rezoning of the Wheatland Tube property from the M2-3 Light Industry District and Planned Manufacturing District 8A to a Commercial Industrial Planned Development.

    The applicant proposes to redevelop the property with a Class A warehouse and distribution center, consisting of three buildings.

    You can find the live recording here, the presentation slides here, and the spanish presentation slides here.

    Here are the recommendations from our NLO’s : BPNC and MPDC

    March 2025 Update: Brookfield Properties has proposed to redevelop the property in accordance to the current zoning. You can find the plans here.

Developments in the ward

Here you will find any pertinent information regarding new developments in the 12th ward.

  • More than $320 million in new projects were approved at the most recent Community Development Commission meeting, along with more than $70 million in tentative City financial support.

    In the historic Central Manufacturing District, IBT Group plans to a convert a vacant City warehouse at 1769 W. Pershing Rd into 172 residences and 232,000 square feet of office space, while also constructing a new 42,000-square-foot retail center on an adjacent parcel. Selected through a DPD Request for Proposals, the $186 million project includes $30.2 million in TIF assistance.

  • The Brighton Park Neighborhood Network is set to break ground on their new service center located at 3990 - 4000 S Archer Ave on February 27, 2024. The projected completion date is Summer 2025.

    On February 21, 2023 BPNC hosted a community meeting and presented to residents regarding the development. Here is the recorded presentation and here are the slides presented.

  • Brookfield Properties is redeveloping the property formerly occupied by Wheatland Tube into a “Class A sustainable project…that includes remediation of contaminated soil, construction of four (4) new LEED certified buildings, enhanced landscaping, local construction and permanent job opportunities, among other benefits to the community.”

    You can find the plans here.

    Update 2026: Brookfield Properties will be holding a public meeting on 3/31/2026 at 2417 W 43rd St from 6-7pm to keep residents up to date on happenings regarding the Western Works project. You can find their presentation here.