Here’s a recap of our live coverage of this evening’s meeting of the Evanston City Council Planning and Development Committee.
The meeting is scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m.
A packet with information on tonight’s agenda items is available online.
Meeting called to order at 5:32 p.m.
Aldermen Judy Fiske, 1st Ward, and Don Wilson, 4th Ward, are absent this evening.
Alderman Melissa Wynne, 3rd Ward, is chairing the meeting.
Minutes approved.
P1 – Tenant-bases rental assistance program funding extension
$160K additional funding from federal HOME funds.
Sarah Flax, housing and grants administrator, says the extra money is designed to assist people who are already in the tenant based rental assistance program who haven’t been able to reach self-sufficiency because of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
Alderman Eleanor Revelle, 7th Ward, says it’s a very important program and the pandemic has had a major impact on the families.
Approved 4-0-1. Rue Simmons abstains.
P3 – Special use for a banquet hall at 800 Greenwood St.
Revelle asks about evening use and likely impact on nearby residents.
Andrea Liss, business owner, says the space is small, so will have a maximum capacity of 50 people. Says typically wouldn’t have amplified music — only acoustical. Says she’s lived in Evanston since 1982. Doesn’t want to have any problems with neighbors.
Alderman Ann Rainey, 8th Ward, says she loves the project. Says it’s a type of venue the the city doesn’t currently have.
Approved for introduction 5-0.
P4 – Special use fore convenience store, “Munchies,” at 1235 Dodge Ave.
(Alderman Peter Braithwaite, 2nd Ward, has requested suspension of the rules for introduction and action on the item tonight.)
Wynne asks about parking — says fears people will pull in and block the bike lane — since there’s no off-street parking.
Approved 5-0.
P2 – Designation of public parks and natural areas
Approved for introduction 5-0.
Meeting adjourned at 6:13 p.m.