On Wednesday, Alderman Cardenas, Chair of the Committee on Environmental Protection and Energy in partnership with Mayor Lori Lightfoot introduced an ordinance addressing air quality through industrial zoning and permitting reforms. “I have been working hard to reform the outdated Planning Manufacturing District (PMD) section of our zoning code that has not been touched in over 20 years. For years, pollution-intensive industries have been “permitted by right” within PMDs and other industrial zones. This new ordinance requires that all intensive manufacturing be approved by the Zoning Board of Appeals, and that City Council review and approve major projects for most industrial uses, within 660 feet of any residential, business, or commercial district or if the site exceeds 10 acres.  Alderman Cardenas introduced the following legislation related to zoning reforms earlier this year. 

• O2020-2217 Amendment of Municipal Code Section 17-13-0905-C to further regulate special uses within planned manufacturing districts 

• O2020-2222 Amendment of Municipal Code Chapter 11-4 by modifying Section 11-4-360 and adding new Section 11-4-365 regarding enforcement of inspections and violations of environmental regulations 

• R2020-82 Call for informational hearing(s) on environmental and health impacts of Planned Manufacturing Districts on Chicago neighborhoods