Opinion ID: 2063659
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: the claim against the owners and developers

Text: Count III of the appellees' complaint alleged that the development would violate various provisions in the Chicago building code and the Chicago rehabilitation code. (Chicago Municipal Code ch. 24, § 11-1 et seq. (1984-85); Chicago Municipal Code ch. 78.1 et seq. (1983).) More specifically, they claimed the following deficiencies: (1) that the rehabilitation would make the outer courtyards in the Ellis structures too small, and would not secure the basement apartments against water leakage, and (2) that the basement apartments in the Woodlawn structure are too far below grade. The complaint requested an injunction against the rehabilitation. The trial court granted judgment to the appellant owners and developers following a hearing. The facts adduced at the hearing are recited where they are pertinent. We agree with the appellate court, however, that the facts are essentially undisputed. The trial court's ruling rested almost exclusively on its interpretation of various sections of the Chicago Municipal Code. The developers do not contest this interpretation directly, but instead claim only that the appellate court failed to give proper deference to a conflicting administrative interpretation. While they state that they neither expect or request review of the appellate court's interpretation, we do not believe we can meaningfully review the appellate court's decision without looking at the specific provisions of the building and rehabilitation codes. Therefore, after considering the preliminary issue of standing, we will consider whether the court's rulings as to each of the claimed deficiencies were correct.