McKinley Park Existing Conditions Report

As seen in Figure 6.4, much of the eastern and southern portions of McKinley Park are located within a PMD. The Chicago Planning Commission first created PMDs in the late 1980s to protect concentrated industrial uses from residential and large scale retail development pressures. The PMD designation discourages the conversion of properties to non-industrial uses in order to promote growth and development of the city’s industrial employment base. As of spring 2016, DPD has embarked on a multi-year industrial corridor modernization initiative, which incorporates community-based goals, market data, and infrastructure assessments. The goal of the initiative is to unleash the potential for advanced manufacturing and technology-oriented jobs in some areas, while maintaining traditional industrial activities in other areas.

One PMD with two subareas exist in McKinley Park, each with slightly different permitted uses. Much of the eastern and southern portions of the neighborhood are located in the Stockyards PMD (PMD 8 A and B) and the CMD, while smaller portions of the northern section of McKinley Park fall within the boundaries of the Pilsen PMD (PMD 11 A). Although the City of Chicago zoning code prioritizes industrial uses within a PMD, certain types of commercial and public or civic uses are permitted within McKinley Park’s PMDs. Appendix A shows the uses that are permitted by right within each of the neighborhood’s PMDs.

Aside from the permitted uses, certain uses within the PMD are designated as special uses, and must follow an established procedure to determine if the use will be compatible with the surrounding development patterns. A special use business needs to file an application with the Chicago Zoning Board of Appeals, then a Zoning Administrator reviews each proposal and makes a recommendation prior to the Board’s public hearing. This case-by-case review examines the anticipated land use, site design, and operational impacts of the special use. Special uses within a PMD are subject to additional reviews that determine whether the use will have an effect on existing manufacturing activities, including land use conflicts and nuisance complaints. Following the public hearing, the Zoning Board of Appeals makes the final decision and the vote of three Board members is needed to approve a special use application. Some of the special uses within McKinley Park PMDs, which are subject to this review process, include parks and recreation, drive-through facilities, and gas stations.

Figure 8.4 Planned Manufacturing District Zoning in McKinley Park

Source: Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, 2018.

Existing Uses within the PMD

McKinley Park’s PMDs are home to a variety of businesses that foster the neighborhood’s industrial base. Businesses ranging from furniture and aluminum manufacturers to warehousing and distribution companies operate within McKinley Park, and benefit from the neighborhood’s immediate access to a robust transportation network. Companies like T2 Cabinets, Crystal Windows and Doors Corp, and 555 International Inc. manufacture interior design products for residential and commercial clients. Other businesses such as Trejo’s Iron Works Inc. and Industrial Maintenance Welding, manufacture iron products and provide welding services. Aside from manufacturing, many of the businesses within the PMD’s are food wholesalers and distributors. Companies such as Eagle Products Inc. and Mexicali Food Products Inc. provide wholesale distribution of food, and operate alongside big name companies, like Pepsi.

A notable business within McKinley Park’s PMD is 36Squared. The business is located within a 186,000 sq. ft. industrial building and features a business incubator, as well as mixed-use spaces available for rent to potential tenants. Current tenants that occupy the building include artists, architects, as well as technology companies. The 36Squared business incubator is a nonprofit that offers onsite training classes for Chicagoland entrepreneurs that want to grow their businesses. Networking event and training opportunities offered by the incubator are free and cover a variety of topics, such as marketing, grants, and small business loans. Businesses located in McKinley Park can benefit from convenient access to training and networking opportunities hosted by the 36Squared Business Incubator. Aside from 36Squared, several other businesses are bringing innovative uses to McKinley Park’s PMD. One of these establishments is Marz Community Brewing Company, which has been operating within the PMD since early 2018. The establishment not only offers craft-brewed beers, but also provides a place for community members to come together. Another business that shifts away from traditional manufacturing uses within the PMD is the ComEd training facility, which opened in 2016. The facility provides economic and community benefits, while meeting the need to train current and future workers on managing the electricity delivery system. ComEd estimates that approximately 4,000 employees will receive training at the facility annually, and the company is working with After School Matters to develop a program that exposes Chicago high school students to skills needed for work in the construction trades.