Edgewater Group Sues Chicago to Overturn Broadway Rezoning

Overview

• Edgewater Residents for Responsible Development and 13 local residents and business owners filed the lawsuit in the Circuit Court of Cook County.
• The suit alleges due process violations, claiming inadequate notice to affected property owners and a speaker lottery that curtailed public testimony; a zoning chair said notification requirements were met.
• The rezoning covers Broadway from Devon to Montrose, shifting segments to B3-3/B3-5 and C1-5 to allow mixed-use buildings up to 80 feet and broader commercial uses including bars, liquor stores, and tattoo parlors.
• A pedestrian street designation in the C1-5 area is intended to block new curb cuts and car-oriented strip malls while leaving existing strip malls in place.
• Supporters, including alderpeople Angela Clay, Matt Martin, and Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth, say the changes will add housing near transit and reduce one-off aldermanic zoning approvals; the city has not commented and says it has not yet been served.