City Looks to Change Zoning Rules for More Growth, Development in Uptown and Edgewater Neighborhoods

Proposal Aims to Allow for More Diverse and Dense Development along Broadway

The city is considering a change in zoning rules to allow for more growth and development in the Uptown and Edgewater neighborhoods on Chicago’s North Side. The city’s Department of Planning and Development is partnering with the 46th, 47th, and 48th wards, as well as the Edgewater Chamber of Commerce and Uptown United, to create a land-use plan to "upzone" Broadway between Montrose and Devon avenues.

What Does “Upzoning” Mean?

A change in zoning rules would allow for more dense development, with a series of towers containing an estimated 18,000 housing units included in the city’s proposal. The city believes that upzoning Broadway is timely, as the CTA’s Red and Purple Modernization project will soon be complete, and construction staging sites will become available for redevelopment.

Why This Matters

Broadway is a busy commercial street along the CTA Red Line that connects the north lakefront to jobs, stores, schools, open spaces, neighborhood services, medical facilities, and other destinations. The city believes that upzoning Broadway will bring new opportunities for development, including affordable housing, retail, and commercial spaces.

Community Input Sought

Residents and small business owners in the 46th, 47th, and 48th wards gathered on Saturday to discuss the Broadway Land Use Planning draft framework. Pat Sharkey, a resident and community leader, noted that while nobody is opposed to development or affordable housing, the process needs to be one where everyone is involved.

Public Meeting Scheduled

A virtual public meeting will be held on January 30 from 6 to 7 p.m. to gather further input on the plan. The meeting can be registered for by clicking HERE. The city will also record and share the meeting for those who cannot attend.

Timeline for Next Steps

Following this round of input, the city expects the Broadway Land Use Planning document to be finalized in February and presented to the Chicago Plan Commission for adoption on February 20.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is upzoning? Upzoning is a change in zoning rules to allow for more dense development.
• What is the goal of the Broadway Land Use Planning project? The goal is to create a plan for more growth and development in the Uptown and Edgewater neighborhoods.
• How can I provide input on the plan? A virtual public meeting will be held on January 30 from 6 to 7 p.m. to gather further input. The meeting can be registered for by clicking HERE.