Despite voting in support of a recommendation for a 942,000-sf office tower at the southeast corner of Franklin and Van Buren streets, 42nd Ward Alderman Burt Natarus took issue with a proposal presented at a recent plan commission calling for just 72 on-site parking spaces rather than 129 required by under C-7 zoning.
On a smaller scale, and several miles north in Rogers Park, plan commission members approved plans for a nine-unit condominium building at 6963 N. Sheridan Rd. Although the developer has proposed a mechanized car lift to create four extra spaces, the plan advanced with just nine spaces.
The logic behind requiring just 72 spaces in a West Loop office tower includes the number of nearby Metra commuter rail terminals as well as Chicago Transit Authority elevated and subway stations. The fewer spaces actually were at the request of the CTA, according to the department of planning and development.
"If you think that by lowering the number of parking spaces that cars will go away, you're wrong," says Natarus, who got agreement from at least two other plan commission members. "I think we're making a big mistake."
"It's wrong, illogical, and until we get the transportation system we want to get people around the Loop, right now, public transportation is pie in the sky," Natarus says. "I don't see a lot going on other than talk."
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