Controversial Wicker Park hotel to headline February’s Plan Commission agenda

The agenda for the February meeting of the Chicago Plan Commission has been set by the city and includes projects stretching from Lakeview to Mt. Greenwood. Though lacking the high-profile West Loop developments that dominated January’s agenda, this month’s line-up features a diverse range of projects in the hospitality, residential, and—most notably—public educational sectors. Below is a rundown of the projects city commissioners will hear in exactly two weeks time.

1551 West North Avenue

Images courtesy of the 2nd Ward

↑ George Nediyakalayil, the owner of the gas station at the southeast corner of North and Ashland, most recently presented a plan to redevelop his property into an eight-story hotel last February. Expected to contain 99 guest rooms and 36 off-street parking places, the previous design drew harsh criticism virtually across the board. With any luck, this Wicker project will arrive at Plan Commission sporting a considerably less prison-like exterior.

716-42 North Aberdeen Street

Image via Chicago DPD Twitter

↑ The previously approved proposal for the corner of Aberdeen and Ogden will return to the Plan Commission seeking an amendment that would allow the project to grow from 11 stories and 175 apartments (shown above) to 13 stories and 188 units. Developers John Kelly/RMK Management will contribute to Chicago’s Neighborhood Opportunity Fund to obtain the 1.25 points of additional Floor Area Ratio. Designed by FitzGerald Associates, the River West building would feature a triangle-shaped public park and 84 parking spaces.

5201 West Lawrence Avenue

45th Ward

↑ A long-discussed plan to build a new four-story, 39-unit mixed-use development at a blighted and empty lot in Jefferson Park will seek Planned Development (PD) approval at the meeting. The project comes from developer Mega Realty with Archamerica Inc. handling design duties. It will feature ground floor retail in addition to parking for 62 cars.

3921 North Sheridan Avenue

46th Ward

↑ The owner of a Lakeview Ace Hardware at 3921 N. Sheridan is seeking approval to turn the site into a new transit-oriented, mixed-use rental development. The new building would rise seven-stories and contain ground floor retail, 120 dwelling units, and just 16 parking spaces. The design comes from Chicago’s Sullivan, Goulette, & Wilson Architects.

2664-2736 South Kostner Avenue

↑ The Chicago Board of Education is seeking a zoning change that would allow the Zapata Academy School to add a new-story annex designed by Chicago-based Architrave Ltd. The roughly 33,000-square-foot annex would be joined by 43 new parking places.

7101 West 64th Street

↑ The Zapata addition isn’t the only Chicago Public school project headed to Plan Commission this month. A three-story replacement for the John C. Dore Elementary School in Chicago’s West Clearing neighborhood will also be voted upon. The current school has been described as chronically overcrowded.

Additionally, a PD amendment regarding the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences will be heard. The change would authorize the construction of a 13,000-square-foot horse riding facility at the school’s Mt. Greenwood campus on the city’s far south side.

• February Chicago Plan Commission agenda [City of Chicago]
• A look at the new developments approved today by the Chicago Plan Commission [Curbed Chicago]