Here’s a recap of our live coverage of tonight’s Evanston City Council Planning and Development Committee meeting.
The meeting is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. Top items on the agenda include plans for a 13-story office building on what’s now a city-owned parking lot at 1714-1720 Chicago Ave. and a special use permit for an immediate care medical office for NorthShore University HealthSystem at 524 Main St.
A packet with information on tonight’s agenda items is available online.
Meeting called to order at 6:41 p.m.
Minutes approved.
P 1 – CPAH contract for administration of inclusionary housing ordinance waitlist.
Approved.
P 2 – 2626 Reese
Held for Feb. 11 meeting.
P 3 – Medical office at 524 Main St. for NorthShore University HealthSystem
Approved for introduction. (Alderman Melissa Wynne, 3rd Ward, drops the request to give it final action tonight.
P 5 – Vacation rental for 1945 Jackson Ave.
Alderman Robin Rue Simmons, 5th Ward, said she’s opposed to having multiple vacation rentals on the block. Not happy with performance of the landlord.
Says the block has naturally occuring affordable housing.
Alderman Judy Fiske, 1st Ward, says she objects to vaction rentals that are not owner-occupied.
Alderman Don Wilson, 4th Ward, says the application appears to be in compliance with the terms of the ordinance.
Rue Simmons says wants to have more regulation of the quantity and terms of vacation rentals. Says won’t be supporting this operator having another vacation rental on this block.
Wilson says a “negative cumulative effect” can be grounds for a denial.
Rue Simmons says appreciates that owner has hired the property manager — which has improved performance over what it used to be.
Committee votes unanimously to reject the vacation rental license.
P 4 – Planned Development 1714-1720 Chicago Ave.
Proposed 13-story office building providing space for about 500 new workers and about $1 million a year in property taxes.
Architect Paul Janicki does presentation for developer.
Former Alderman Mark Tendam, 6th Ward, says proposal doesn’t respect the adjacent historical sites.
Marcia Kerr, condo owner at 1738 Chicago Ave., says added traffic in alley will be unsafe.
Joan Safford, 1618 Wesley Ave., notes votes against the project from the Design and Project Review Committee and the Plan Commission.
Nearly a dozen other people speek in opposition to the proposal.
Letter read from Kevin Quinn who says proposal would be great — would raise new tax revenue, most of which would got to the schools.
Kevin Boyer favors the development because it will bring jobs to the city.
Another speaker supports the project because of additional tax revenue. Says the city parking lot is usually only half full now.
Another speaker favors the tax revenue from the project — and notes that the neighboring property owners are tax exempt — says its unfair for them to block development that would reduce taxes for others.
Council discussion
Alderman Melissa Wynne, 3rd Ward, says she’s opposed to the project — too tall and doesn’t replace the parking required.
Says will potentially find a use for the parking lot some day, but this is not the appropriate use.
Alderman Judy Fiske, 1st Ward, moves approval of the project.
Alderman Tom Suffredin, 6th Ward, seconds.
Says the process for the building has been going on for several years. Says it’s been a very thoughtful process. Has had several ward meetings on the project.
Says we need office development downtown to support the economic viability of the central business district.
Says given the existing zoning a 13 or 14 story building could be built on the lot, as a residential rental building. (The office use requires the rezoning.)
Says if developed with a residential rental building the traffic impact would be heavier that with the office building.
Says she votes against a lot of developments, but this developer has worked in concert with the community more than anyone else she’s known.
Says the proposed building is beautiful. It’s a reasonably sized building for the site.
Says it will make a significant positive impact on the city.
Suggests perhaps reducing the amount of parking, and reducing the height of the building to the 11 stories called for in the original sales contract agreement.
Moves to hold to the Feb. 11 meeting.
Suffredin seconds the motion to hold in committee until Feb. 11.
Meeting adjourned at 7:57 p.m.