Here’s a recap of our live coverage of Monday night’s meeting of the Evanston City Council Planning and Development Committee.

The meeting is scheduled to begin at 6:15 p.m.

A packet with information on the agenda items is available online.

Meeting called to order at 6:21 p.m.

Ald. Clare Kelly (1st) chairs. Also present Alds. Wynne, Nieuwsma, Burns, Revelle, Reid, Geracaris.

Public comment

Several speakers address the proposed licensing ordinances changes — offering a variety of views in favor or opposed to it.

Item for discussion

D1 – “Lodging establishments” ordinance amendment

Deputy City Attorney Alex Ruggie says the item is part of the housing code, not the zoning code, so it’s not covered by the injunction a judge issued last Friday, which applied only to the special use permit under the zoning code sought for the Margarita Inn.

Sarah Flax, interim community development director, says the city has been considering revisions to the proposed ordinance for several years — talked about it a lot, but hadn’t acted on it until now.

Nieuwsma says the new proposal would permit a customized approach for whatever future proposals arise.

Reid says he favors the ordinance and the licensing provisions,

Revelle asks about co-housing programs. Flax says city inspects hotels and dormitories — so should inspect co-housing programs as well.

Kelly says she’s worried that the proposal is being rushed through. Says radically different facilities could end up with the same license.

Staff says operating agreements — required of licensees — would be tailored to the specific use and would require City Council approval.

Nieuwsma says the proposal was intended to be on the agenda in January, but was delayed. Says this just creates a structure to require a license — and be able to tailor the details though the operating agreement for each use. Says it gives the city more authority. And supports the proposal.

Meeting adjourned at 6:54 p.m.

City Council meeting to start at 7:30 p.m.

Bill Smith is the editor and publisher of Evanston Now.

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