CHICAGO (WLS) — A “granny flat” ordinance passed a City Council committee Tuesday.
They are homes built on the same property as a main house, to provide extra living space.
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The Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards was reviewing the ordinance proposal aimed at simplifying the legality of constructing additional dwelling units, such as garden units, attic conversions, and coach houses, across all Chicago neighborhoods.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has been pushing for it as a way to help solve the affordable housing crisis.
“This is about allowing gentle density, gentle growth in those areas that haven’t seen a whole lot of investment,” stated 44th Ward Ald. Bennett Lawson.
Rents are high and housing is scarce. It’s a problem Chicago has been facing for years.
“There is so much red tape around development, around adding units and around bringing affordable units to our communities,” commented 26th Ward Ald. Jesse Fuentes.
Lawson is the sponsor of the ordinance. Portions of his North Side ward and others have been part of a pilot program for the past five years.
SEE MORE: Chicago lawmakers skeptical of proposal to legalize ‘granny flats’
Some Chicago aldermen are against the proposal.
“I believe that the mayor has created an all out attack on the ‘bungalow belt’ here to check a political box. That’s all he’s doing to try to make up for lost time with his affordable housing initiative,” 13th Ward Ald. Marty Quinn said.
Quinn’s “bungalow belt” ward on the city’s Southwest Side is 95% single family homes. He says his residents do not want additional units created. Quinn is concerned investors will buy bungalows and convert them into two- or three-flats.
Lawson says a compromised version of the ordinance adds restrictions.
“We do maintain limits in the single-family zones so that they’re not able to build more than a certain number per year, per block, and home ownership is also going to be required,” Lawson said.
The “granny flats” ordinance also prohibits short-term rentals. Because the measure applies to all wards, other City Council members oppose it because the ordinance eliminates aldermanic prerogative: a longstanding Chicago tradition that gives alders the final say about zoning in their wards.
“This should be an aldermanic decision; we are elected to make difficult decisions. We are elected to make controversial decisions,” 2nd Ward Ald. Brian Hopkins said.
“I don’t know what alderman in their right mind would give up that authority,” 9th Ward Ald. Anthony Beale said.
The ordinance is on for July’s City Council meeting, but Ald. Lawson says it likely will be delayed until September’s meeting.
Even if it does pass, alders say Chicago has a long way to go to solve the city’s affordable housing shortage.
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