Environmental Review

What does it mean if a parcel is "Not for sale at this time due to: Requires Further Environmental Review Needed"?  

The City of Chicago has performed a limited environmental review of various internal files and other publicly available records for the vacant lots available for sale through this program. Land has been categorized as either:  

  • “Available for Sale Pending Updated Environmental Review,” which means the City’s most recent environmental review either 1) did not identify potential environmental concerns associated with the property, or 2) identified potential environmental concerns associated with the property that the City will not require to be assessed further before acquisition because those concerns are considered relatively minor. The City will conduct an additional review prior to the closing date, and if circumstances at the site have not changed because of that updated review, the City will not require the buyer to complete any additional environmental assessment. If the City’s pre-closing updated review finds additional environmental records of concern associated with this property, the City may require additional action or contract terms as conditions for acquisition.  
  • “Requires Further Environmental Review,” which means there were environmental records of concern associated with this property and, as a result, the City has determined that additional environmental assessment of the property or additional contract terms are required before any acquisition. 

An additional resource sheet is available with more information about the environmental review process.