A group of Edgewater residents and business owners has joined forces to take on the city of Chicago in a lawsuit over contentious zoning changes along Broadway. The residents, who make up the Edgewater Residents for Responsible Development group, claim that the city's decision to implement increased density and allow for a wide range of incompatible uses along the nearly 2-mile stretch of the commercial corridor was done without adequate community input.
The group argues that the city violated property owners' due process rights, as well as state zoning requirements, in its haste to push through the changes. They are seeking to have the zoning reverted back to its previous classifications and want a real planning process put in place if the topic is revisited.
The controversy over Broadway's rezoning has been brewing for months, with some residents expressing concerns about increased congestion, higher rents, and the potential closure of businesses due to the changes. Others see the move as an opportunity to boost business growth and affordable housing options.
Alderman Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth, whose ward includes the area, was a strong proponent of the rezoning plan but has now taken a more neutral stance, saying she does not comment on pending litigation.
The group's president, Patricia Sharkey, argues that the community had a year-long opportunity to voice its concerns and that the city jumped ahead with zoning without sufficient planning or input from residents. "This is an experiment being done with our community, with no community input," she said. "It's not representative democracy. It's not the way planning is supposed to be done."
The lawsuit comes just months after the city approved a hotly contested development framework for Broadway, which included more than 20 ordinances impacting hundreds of properties along the corridor. A hearing on the matter has been scheduled for March 13.
As the debate continues, it remains to be seen whether the city will back down or stand firm on its plans for Broadway's rezoning. One thing is clear: the outcome will have significant implications for the future of the commercial corridor and the community that calls it home.
The group argues that the city violated property owners' due process rights, as well as state zoning requirements, in its haste to push through the changes. They are seeking to have the zoning reverted back to its previous classifications and want a real planning process put in place if the topic is revisited.
The controversy over Broadway's rezoning has been brewing for months, with some residents expressing concerns about increased congestion, higher rents, and the potential closure of businesses due to the changes. Others see the move as an opportunity to boost business growth and affordable housing options.
Alderman Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth, whose ward includes the area, was a strong proponent of the rezoning plan but has now taken a more neutral stance, saying she does not comment on pending litigation.
The group's president, Patricia Sharkey, argues that the community had a year-long opportunity to voice its concerns and that the city jumped ahead with zoning without sufficient planning or input from residents. "This is an experiment being done with our community, with no community input," she said. "It's not representative democracy. It's not the way planning is supposed to be done."
The lawsuit comes just months after the city approved a hotly contested development framework for Broadway, which included more than 20 ordinances impacting hundreds of properties along the corridor. A hearing on the matter has been scheduled for March 13.
As the debate continues, it remains to be seen whether the city will back down or stand firm on its plans for Broadway's rezoning. One thing is clear: the outcome will have significant implications for the future of the commercial corridor and the community that calls it home.
They had a whole year to voice their concerns and what do you get? Fast-tracked zoning changes without any consideration for their needs 
It's like, hello! Have some community input before making decisions that will affect so many lives 
I hope they win this lawsuit because it's just not right. The city needs to listen to its people more and take a step back from these huge decisions 
I'm literally shook by this news! How could the city do this to the Edgewater residents? 
It's like, they just took away their say in what happens to their own neighborhood! 
The lack of planning and input is just, wow...
I'm so with Patricia Sharkey on this one, community input is KEY!!! 
Can't believe the city is pushing this through without listening to the people who live there. Fingers crossed for a fair outcome in court! 
This whole thing just smells like a rush job, you know? City's just trying to cram in all this density and change without even listening to the people who actually live here. I mean, can't they see that's not how planning works? It's supposed to be a community effort, not some city officials making decisions behind closed doors 
. And now they're expecting us to just roll with it and deal with the consequences? No thanks 
.
this whole thing sounds super messed up, you know? Like the city just jumped ahead with these zoning changes without even listening to the people who actually live and own businesses there. It's not like they're trying to make Broadway a better place or anything, they're just making it some kinda experimental space for them to test their new rules 
The city does need to consider the bigger picture, but at the same time, residents should've had a stronger say in this process. I mean, increased density can be good for affordable housing, but if it's not done thoughtfully, it can lead to gentrification and displacement of long-time residents. 