WEST LOOP — An alderman is moving to change the zoning on a property that is currently home to the Carmichael's Steakhouse, effectively blocking a planned apartment development at the site.
Ald. Danny Solis (25th) has presented an ordinance to City Council that would change the zoning on the property in the 1000 block of West Monroe Street. If successful, the measure would block Michigan Avenue Real Estate Group's plan to build 131 rental units at the site. Carmichael's has operated at the site since 1997 in a 68-year-old building.
If the apartments were built, a landscaped green space on the lot would also be lost. Armando Chacon, president of the West Central Association, said Friday that the courtyard at the site is well loved by neighbors.
Solis spokeswoman Stacy Raker said Monday that the alderman introduced an ordinance to change the zoning of the property from a downtown mixed use to a downtown service zoning.
The plan is scheduled to be heard presenting to the Zoning, Building and Landmarks Committee Wednesday morning, Raker said. If successful, it would move to the full City Council for a vote.
The action ensures that any development at the site would have to go through a community process before moving forward, Raker said. Unless neighbors approve of the development in the future, Solis does not plan to sign off the project, Raker said.
Tom Meador, a Michigan Avenue Real Estate developer, could not be reached Monday.
The developer's proposal included plans for two four-story buildings that take up virtually the entire site at 1050 and 1060 W. Monroe St. Renderings for the two buildings show a small outdoor courtyard near the corner of Monroe and Aberdeen streets.
In April, the real estate group canceled a zoning hearing, but Meador said that the developers continued to look at the project.
At that time, an attorney for Michigan Avenue Real Estate group said it planned to extend a one-year lease agreement to Carmichael's.
The site sits in an area that will be in Solis' ward beginning in 2015.
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