Urgent – Attend Today’s Zoning Committee Hearing on the FAIR Ordinance

TODAY, Thursday, at 10AM, the City Council Committee on Zoning Landmarks and Building Standards, chaired by Alderman Gil Villegas, will consider The FAIR ordinance. If it passes, it too will be available for a final vote at next week’s full City Council meeting, which is what we want.

Though the FAIR ordinance has components that still trouble us, it is far preferable than the version of PRO that passed out of Housing yesterday and it is critical that at next week’s City Council meeting, Alderpersons have this alternative proposal to consider as well.

I know its last minute, but it is imperative that we have a strong representation from the housing provider community.

At 10AM, there will be an opportunity for citizens to offer public comment.

If you can attend at 10AM, 121 N. LaSalle, please do so. If you care to testify, we urge you to arrive at least 20 minutes early and sign up for public comment. (Ask the security officer at the door where you can find sign in sheets.)

In the couple of minutes you will have to speak, you may point out that there is nothing in the PRO ordinance that will make rents more affordable. Rather, by imposing fees and fines and undue regulations, it will make it harder for you to provide safe, secure, quality housing.

The City can ill afford to add additional layers of bureaucracy.

With so much as stake, we urge you to attend and SHOW your concern.

It does make a huge difference.

Mike 

And thanks to the rest of you who showed up yesterday and advocated our position. It made a giant impression on the Alderpersons at the room, who are not used to seeing such strong industry representation at City Council hearings.

Three core messages:

• A new fee funds a landlord registry — that raises costs, not rent.

• Numerous new regulations favor corporate owners, pushing small owners to sell to them.

• You can’t make housing more affordable by making it more expensive to provide housing