Ridge Historical Society
March 19, 2021
Chicago Municipal Code Zoning Issue
Here are the actual images of the Chicago Municipal Code concerning proposed changes for cultural institutions and "house museums."
Right now, cultural organizations get a "P" for setting up in any residential district – and P means "permitted by right." They don't need any special permission.
In Alderman King's original proposal, dated 12/16/20, she proposed that all cultural institutions get a "-" or dash, which means "Not Allowed" in all residential areas except for the densest highrise areas, and then they would need an "S" – special use approval required.
Note that the Ridge Historical Society is in an "RS" district, so this proposed change would make RHS "not allowed" whether we have special use approval or not. RHS might be "grandfathered in" as an existing institution but that could be challenged and there is no guarantee for protection in the future.
This is the ONLY proposal right now that anyone has seen on this issue so it is the one people are replying to. King claims she submitted an amended proposal but not even the Zoning Committee had seen that as of their video meeting in February.
We have NO idea of the actual proposal the Zoning Committee is looking at during their next meeting, March 23, 2021. It has not been shared with the public.