Facing the potential for accessory dwelling units to win swift legalization in Chicago inspires one columnist to push back.
The city of Chicago banned the development of coach houses, the local term used to describe accessory dwelling units, in 1957, and according to Chicago Tribune columnist Eric Zorn, the city failed to ask, or answer, the following question: "Do we really want to ban them?"
Face forward to 2020, and the Chicago City Council is considering an ordinance to legalize ADUs with the support of Mayor Lori Lightfoot. Now, writes Eric Zorn, the city should ask itself the opposite question: "Do we really want to lift this ban?"
According to Zorn, the city had good reasons to implement the ban, like concerns about parking and neighborhood character. Zorn also advocates for a local veto of ADU enabling zoning changes: "The proposed change contains no provision for precincts to vote to exempt their areas from the construction of ADUs and no limit on the number of external, back-of-the-lot cottages or internal basement apartments that could open up in any one block."
Read the full story: Column: Wait a sec! Is it really time to re-legalize granny flats 63 years after Chicago banned them?
Chicago eliminates parking requirements near transit
In 2025, Illinois barred cities from mandating parking near train and bus stations.
Chicago ADU Law Gives Alderpeople Veto Power
After years of debate, the city approved an ordinance that legalizes ADUs in some neighborhoods, but gives alderpeople the power to restrict them in single-family zones.
Strong Demand in the First Month of Chicago's Coach House Pilot Program
The first month of a three-year pilot program that legalizes the construction and conversion of coach houses—a local form of accessory dwelling unit—is responding to strong demand in Chicago.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
How a Chicago-sized wind farm beat the odds and powered on
The project spanned five presidential administrations and a standoff with a U.S. military base.
MTA gives itself 30 days to transform pit into basketball court
The site has been under construction since 2022; the city originally estimated it would finish the court in 2024.
Non-stop party: Chicago voters weigh permanent festival grounds
A stable place for bleachers, stages and drainage may streamline the setup and teardown of large events.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority