Ordinances/Governing Affairs
Tax Caps
Public Act 93-0715 was signed into law and designed to cap increases on assessed value of property so that they will not increase by more than 7% in one year. To find out if your property is eligible, contact Cook County Assessors office. For questions about the law, contact State Representative Sara Feigenholtz at (773) 296-4141 or State Senator, 6th District, John Cullerton at (773) 883-0770.High Rise Safety Ordinance
On May 7, 2009 Alderman Vi Daley and Alderman Tom Tunney hosted an informational meeting regarding the high-rise life safety ordinance. Two representatives from the Building Department were also in attendance to explain the ordinance and answer questions. They encouraged the audience to visit their website for further information. High-rise buildings that have sprinkler systems are exempt from the ordinance, so the issues discussed at the meeting primarily affect those buildings over 80-feet tall that were constructed before 1975. Rather than requiring these older buildings to install sprinklers, the ordinance allows pre-1975 residential high-rises to achieve greater safety levels by adopting a variety of other measures. The measures include such things as fitting self-closure mechanisms on doors, installing advanced elevator controls, and adding smoke detectors in elevator lobbies. These measures (along with a building's existing structural qualities € e.g. fire resistance rating of walls between units) are assigned point values and a building can meet the requirements of the ordinance by attaining a minimum point score.Here are some highlights from the Department of Buildings webpage:
Sprinklers: Residential: Pre-1975 residential buildings are exempt from this requirement.
Life Safety Evaluation:
All high rises that are exempt from having sprinklers are required to submit a Life Safety Evaluation. The purpose of the evaluation is to review the existing life safety features of the building and establish a commitment to repair any deficiencies over a seven-year period (starting in 2005 and ending in 2012). A licensed Architect or Professional Engineer must perform the evaluation.
Voice communication systems:
In order for the Fire Department to communicate with building occupants in the case of an emergency and for emergency response teams to communicate with a central incident command post, the new ordinance requires that all pre-1975 high rise residential and commercial buildings have both a one-way and a two way voice communication system (residential buildings less than 15 stories and 60 units only require a one way voice communication system). For residential buildings the system must be completed by 2012.
Fire Rated Stairway Doors and Frames in Residential Buildings:
In order to protect the path of egress in case of an emergency, the ordinance requires all existing residential buildings have a one hour fire rated doors in stairwells (currently post-1975 high rise residential buildings meet this requirement). The installation of the doors must be completed by 2012.
Life Safety Data Sheet:
Existing high rise buildings will be required to provide basic information to the Fire Department regarding the building's standpipe and sprinkler system as well as the building's use, ownership and management.
Based on feedback from our neighbors, The Gold Coast Neighbors Association has serious concerns about the ordinance in its present form. We recommend that the deadline for compliance be extended several years and that all stakeholders pursue a dialogue that promotes thoughtful modifications to the ordinance.
Life Safety Evaluation:
All high rises that are exempt from having sprinklers are required to submit a Life Safety Evaluation. The purpose of the evaluation is to review the existing life safety features of the building and establish a commitment to repair any deficiencies over a seven-year period (starting in 2005 and ending in 2012). A licensed Architect or Professional Engineer must perform the evaluation.
Voice communication systems:
In order for the Fire Department to communicate with building occupants in the case of an emergency and for emergency response teams to communicate with a central incident command post, the new ordinance requires that all pre-1975 high rise residential and commercial buildings have both a one-way and a two way voice communication system (residential buildings less than 15 stories and 60 units only require a one way voice communication system). For residential buildings the system must be completed by 2012.
Fire Rated Stairway Doors and Frames in Residential Buildings:
In order to protect the path of egress in case of an emergency, the ordinance requires all existing residential buildings have a one hour fire rated doors in stairwells (currently post-1975 high rise residential buildings meet this requirement). The installation of the doors must be completed by 2012.
Life Safety Data Sheet:
Existing high rise buildings will be required to provide basic information to the Fire Department regarding the building's standpipe and sprinkler system as well as the building's use, ownership and management.
Based on feedback from our neighbors, The Gold Coast Neighbors Association has serious concerns about the ordinance in its present form. We recommend that the deadline for compliance be extended several years and that all stakeholders pursue a dialogue that promotes thoughtful modifications to the ordinance.
For more information please visit the City of Chicago website: Visit now!