Public Participation
NOTE: ALL ZBA MEETINGS ARE HELD IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ILLINOIS OPEN MEETINGS ACT. THEREFORE, ALL PARTICIPATION IS MADE PART OF THE PUBLIC RECORD.
Resources: Chicago Zoning Ordinance | ZBA Rules of Procedure
Non-Parties
Qualifications. Any person, organization, or other legal entity is allowed to provide a brief comment in support, opposition, or register a neutral position for an application.
Non-Party Comment - Decorum. Individuals providing a brief statement will be asked to do so one at a time and must address their comments to the ZBA. Repetitive comments and comments unrelated to the application are not allowed. Additionally, comments must not contain remarks of a personal nature directed towards any individual or group of individuals. The Chair may reasonably restrict comments to issues relevant to the ZBA’s decision or the approval criteria in the matter before it. Those unable to follow the rules of decorum will be asked to return to the gallery. Note: non-parties may not submit exhibits or participate in cross-examination.
Registration. People who wish to provide a comment do not need to register ahead of the hearing. They will be asked to sign-in on the day of the hearing. The sign-in sheet will determine the speaking order.
Interested Parties
Qualifications. An “Interested Party” is defined as a property owner within the notice area under the Chicago Zoning Ordinance §17-13-0107-A(2).
This means that the property owner owns property within ___ ft of the Applicant’s property, excluding streets and alleys:
250ft – for Special Use matters
100ft – for Variation matters
500ft – for Waste-related Use matters
An Interested Party wishing to exercise the right to submit testimony, cross-examine witnesses, and/or present evidence must be prepared to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the ZBA that they qualify as an Interested Party.
Interested Parties who wish to participate in ZBA hearings must register by 9:00 AM on the Tuesday prior to the Friday ZBA meeting. Submitted Interested Party Registration and Testimony will then be made available online as filed public hearing materials 48 hours prior to the ZBA meeting.
Expectations. Interested Parties appearing before the ZBA are expected to have read the Application they are appearing for/against and understand the ZBA Rules of Procedure. The ZBA requests that parties with similar interests and/or concerns attempt to coordinate their participation in the hearing so that the number of individuals speaking and participating in cross examination is maintained at a reasonable level.
Registration. Complete and submit the Interested Party Registration & Testimony Form to: zba-ip@cityofchicago.org