Zoning committee approves mayoral appointment, property sales and reuse plans; multiple files pass without objection

The Zoning, Neighborhoods and Development Committee met Jan. 14 and approved a series of motions including a mayoral appointment to the City Plan Commission and several property sales and plan amendments. Committee chair Perez called for objections on multiple motions; committee members voiced questions in several item-specific presentations, and each motion passed with no stated objection.

Among the actions the committee adopted: 1) confirmation of Jesus Gonzales to the City Plan Commission (file 241-351). Gonzales described his local business experience and community work, including co‑founding the Zócalo food‑truck park in Walker’s Point and work to secure $750,000 for Walker Square Park improvements. Alderman Jo Casa Samaripa moved confirmation; Chair Perez stated, “Hearing none, so ordered. Look forward to working with you.”

2) A substitute ordinance to amend the Southgate Marketplace Phase 2 detailed plan development to allow an “assembly hall” use in the former Marcus Theatre building at 3300 S. 30th St. (file 240-937). Staff and the applicant described a reuse of the roughly 30,000‑square‑foot theater as flexible banquet space with roughly 1,000‑person capacity and 185 parking spaces; the architect said the site will be remodeled with new landscaping, lighting and compliance upgrades. Alderman Deandre Jackson moved passage; Chair Perez recorded no objections.

3) A resolution authorizing the former owner to repurchase city‑owned tax‑deed property at 3401 W. Wanda Ave. (file 241-336). City Development staff said the repayment amount for outstanding charges was roughly $10,359.23 (subject to change for carrying costs). Alderman Robert Baumann moved adoption; the motion passed without objection.

4) Sale of city‑owned properties: the committee approved sale of a former church at 5229 N. 51st Blvd. to Pastor James Boyd (file 241-343) and the sale of a 26,100‑square‑foot commercial building at 3809‑15 W. Villard Ave. to Amir Ali for a fast‑casual restaurant (file 241-345). DCD staff described prior attempts to sell the church parcel and said the current buyer has financing in place; both motions were moved and carried without objection.

5) Acceptance and allocation of a HUD Economic Development Initiative Community Project Funding grant to prepare Rackham‑owned vacant land in the Menominee Valley for industrial development, including a roughly 1,600‑foot extension of W. Mount Vernon Ave. and associated utilities to open about 10 acres for light industrial use (file 241-335). DCD staff said the work will supplement earlier EDA funding and other local sources; Alderman Baumann moved adoption and the motion passed with no stated objection.

Other items on the agenda were similarly advanced with motions recorded as “hearing none, so ordered.” Several items prompted substantive questions from committee members about timelines, neighborhood outreach or operational details; committee staff or applicants responded during the meeting.

Votes at a glance (as recorded in committee): - File 241-351, Appointment of Jesus Gonzales to City Plan Commission — Mover: Ald. Jo Casa Samaripa — Outcome: confirmed (no objection recorded). - File 240-937, Substitute ordinance to amend Southgate Marketplace Phase 2 to allow assembly hall — Mover: Ald. Deandre Jackson — Outcome: approved (no objection recorded). - File 241-336, Resolution to allow repurchase of 3401 W. Wanda Ave. by heirs — Mover: Ald. Robert Baumann — Outcome: approved (no objection recorded). - File 241-343, Sale of 5229 N. 51st Blvd. (church) to Pastor James Boyd — Mover: Ald. Coggs — Outcome: approved (no objection recorded). - File 241-345, Sale of 3809‑15 W. Villard Ave. to Amir Ali — Mover: Ald. Coggs — Outcome: approved (no objection recorded). - File 241-335, Acceptance/allocation of HUD EDI Community Project funding for Menominee Valley site improvements — Mover: Ald. Baumann — Outcome: approved (no objection recorded).

Committee procedure: For most items the committee recorded the sponsor’s motion and Chair Perez asked whether there were objections; none were voiced for the listed items. Where applicants described plans or budgets, committee members asked follow‑up questions about parking, timelines and community meetings. Several items noted that specific technical conditions were incorporated into final plans after Plan Commission review.

The meeting record shows applicants and staff answering committee questions and the committee moving forward with approvals for reuse, sales and funding authorizations that will proceed to subsequent legislative steps or permit review.