In response to community concerns about a proposed electrical substation at the southwest corner of Diversey Parkway and Seminary Avenue, State Senator Sara Feigenholtz is working to bring Lakeview and Lincoln Park residents’ concerns to the forefront with new legislation that would bring community members to the table.
“While we understand the need to support grid infrastructure that increases electric capacity, this particular site is a dense, residential neighborhood near accessible public transit,” Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) said. “What I’m hearing from the people I represent is that this is our neighborhood and ComEd should not steamroll this project through without coming to the table with neighbors.”
The measure comes after Feigenholtz and State Representative Ann Williams sent a letter in April expressing concerns about the proposal and urging the company, as a community partner, to engage in productive dialogue with residents, alderpersons and legislators regarding this project.
Feigenholtz’s legislation also follows a formal request for the site’s zoning specifications from Aldermen Timmy Knudsen, Bennett Lawson and Scott Waguespack to the city’s zoning administrator. The City Council members asked the city to clarify whether the proposed electrical substation truly qualifies as a “minor utility” as is currently classified.
Because of the proposal’s “minor utility” categorization, there is no requirement for a public hearing or opportunity for local residents to provide input. Feigenholtz introduced Senate Bill 4209 on Friday, which would create a mechanism for Cook County to appeal the classification from “minor” to “major” utility and set its own standards for utility classification going forward.
The location of the proposed substation, near schools, daycare centers and the ADA-accessible Diversey CTA station, makes the property prime for transit-oriented development – not just commercial use. Instead of taking a large, developable site off the table from residential or mixed use, Feigenholtz stressed that the goal is to put residents at the table and bring meaningful discussions about the future of the site to the forefront.
“ComEd is an important community partner,” said Feigenholtz. “The goal of this legislation is to encourage them to come to the table and be an involved partner as we navigate this process.”
Senate Bill 4209 awaits assignment to a Senate committee.
