Ald. Matt Martin (47), sponsor of the single-stair reform ordinance, is pictured at a City Council meeting on April 15, 2026. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line] 

The City Council Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards on Thursday will hold a public hearing on a proposal from a North Side alderperson to allow some mid-size residential buildings the flexibility to only install one set of exit stairs, a policy that could make it cheaper to build housing.