With the last several meetings of the Chicago Plan Commission virtually packed with new building proposals, September’s agenda looks relatively light in comparison. Nevertheless, several important projects will be heard and voted upon next month. Set to convene Thursday, September 15th in the Council Chambers on the second floor of City Hall, Commission approval is necessary step of Chicago’s Planned Development (PD) process. The meeting is open to the public and provides an opportunity for private citizens to testify for or against any given proposal. All projects that clear the Plan Commission still must go before the Chicago City Council for final approval.

57-61 West Erie Street

↑ Originally slated for a ten-story project from MCZ Development, the site of the now-demolished Astrolab film processing facility is now slated to become a 12-story luxury condo building from LG Development and NORR Architects. Featuring a modern facade of glass and raw architectural concrete, the project features ten dwelling units plus ten ground floor parking spaces — a slight reduction from the 11-stall proposal that was publicly presented in July.

848-56 West Randolph & 151-63 North Peoria

↑ Despite a flashy "ground-breaking" ceremony in June starring Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Hollywood actor Robert DeNiro, the West Loop’s Nobu Hotel is going back before the city to amend its Planned Development (PD). The change will allow the previously approved structure to grow to 11-stories following a height chop down to eight precipitated by neighborhood complaints. The amended plan penned by Modif Architecture calls for 119 hotel keys and 35 off-site parking spaces.

46 East Oak Street

↑ Due to its location in the Private Use Zone of Chicago’s Lake Michigan and Chicago Lakefront Protection District, plans to construct a four-story commercial structure at 46 E. Oak Street in the Gold Coast requires approval of the Plan Commission. Last year a rendering of what the new structure could look like appeared on skyscraperpage.com. It’s unclear if the plan has evolved since. Regardless of the ultimate design, it looks like a vintage structure will bite the dust in the process.

2102-2120 North Natchez Avenue

↑ The commission will vote on a new townhouse development from Mia Property Acquisitions, LLC and Axios Architects slated for the vacant land at 2102-2120 N. Natchez in the Galewood neighborhood on Chicago’s west side. The proposal would see the construction of 84 residential dwelling units and 115 accessory parking spaces spread across a series of 14 three-story buildings.

4525 North Kenmore Avenue

↑ Deferred from last month’s agenda, plans to convert Uptown’s Graeme Stewart Elementary School to residential use will also be heard. Developed by Morningside Stewart LLC (an affiliate of Morningside Group) and designed by Chicago architecture firm Pappageorge Haymes Partners, the project will contain 64 residential units and 100 off-street parking places.

• September Plan Commission legal notice [City of Chicago]
• Previous Chicago Development News [Curbed Chicago]