The debate raged again when amended plans for a multifamilyrental tower at Des Plaines Avenue and Kinzie Street were endorsedby the plan commission, calling for an increase in units to 350while the number of parking spaces was trimmed by nearly one-thirdto 287. Those numbers work, according to the Department of Planningand Development, because its "forensic evidence" suggests rentalunits require less parking than condominiums. And even somecondominium projects can work with less than the 0.8 parking spacesper unit in Fifield Cos.' latest proposal, endorsed by the plancommission but with a rare dissenting vote.

If the committee that rewrote the city's antiquated zoning codehad its way, parking requirements would have been greater than1-for-1, in the Downtown area where public transportation is moreplentiful, as well as the outlying neighborhoods, says 50th WardAlderman Bernard Stone. "Our demand for parking would've been 1.5instead of 1.0," says Stone, who voted against recommending theFifield Cos. project even though he represents West Rogers Park onthe far North Side. "Even if gasoline goes to $10 a gallon, westill will have people demanding parking."

Planning and Development officials argue the need for parking inthe Downtown area will decrease in the future as rapid transitsystems are expanded. "We respectfully agree to disagree, and relyon the history of sales and rentals and the demand for parkingspots," says Planning and Development commissioner Lori T.Healey.