Conversion of Retail Units into Residential in MF building

[Adam Blachnio]

Do we really need to spent months and money on changing zoning, get permits, paying to architect for plans, before we actually ask contractor for cost estimation of that work?
Do you guys ever processed that upgrade of units? [Chicago]

[Samuel Pavlovcik]

The City of Chicago is it's own animal for this process as well. The Zoning Variation/Change is a lengthy and expensive process, it requires you to have fully prepared Architectural drawings, stamped and submitted to the City of Chicago by a Licensed Architect or Structural Engineer, then you have to wait for the Zoning department to Deny it (Which can take 8 weeks alone, or you can pay $1,500 to have an In-Person zoning review done in a shorter time period, but i'm not sure how COVID has effected this). Then after the Zoning department Denies it, your Architect needs to apply for the Variation/Change, you need to hire a Zoning Attorney to represent you for your case with the Zoning Board of Appeals and you get put on the schedule for the next meeting which only meets once a month. Depending on when you apply, if you miss the cut-off date you will be waiting for the next one, and the cut-off date is at least 2 weeks before the hearing, but I can't remember the exact date.... During the meeting, your attorney has to prove your "Hardship" and why they should allow you the variation/change, and anyone from the general public can attend the hearing to try to fight against the case as well. So even after all that, nothing is guaranteed...

After the Zoning is approved, you can then proceed with the rest of the Building Department review. If it is denied, you need to either withdraw the permit application, or resubmit with a revised plan, which goes back to the Zoning department...