Several residents of the Sienna condo development in downtown Evanston objected Thursday evening to a planned active-adult high rise across the street at 1727 Oak Ave.
Only about 15 people turned out for the Civic Center meeting called for neighbors to discuss the project.
The 17-story development from the Trammell Crow Company would have 169 apartments and 158 parking spaces. It’s expected to begin working through the city’s formal review process early next year.
Sienna residents listening to the developers’ presentation.
The residents of the eight-story Sienna development claimed the new project would cast their building into shadow all day. They also claimed it would aggravate what they said is already heavy traffic on Oak Avenue.
The residents suggested the new building should be no taller than their own buildings, but the east side of Oak is in a different zoning district, where buildings as tall as 220 feet would be permitted under certain conditions.
A rendering of the proposed high-rise, with the Sienna development to the left and Optima Views to the right.
A resident who lives across the Metra tracks from the development site, in the 28-story Optima Views tower, suggested that developers need to do more to make the roofs of their buildings attractive to people who are looking down on them from nearby buildings.
Another resident suggested the new building should repeat the ground floor covered arcade design of the adjacent 1007 Church St. office building, to provide a sheltered path for people walking downtown.
Grady Hamilton of the Trammell Crow Company.
Developer Grady Hamilton said Trammell Crow expects to build ten active adult comunities in the Midwest over the next two years to meet a growing demand from the baby boom generation.
He said Evanston currently has no active adult developments, which, he said provide more opportunities for socialization activities than a typical apartment development. But because they don’t provide any nursing services they cost less than independent living or continuum of care retirement communities.
A new primarily assisted living community has been approved a block away at 1815 Ridge Ave. City officials at Thursday’s meeting said that project is now scheduled to break ground in March.
Hamilton said an active adult community, which is restricted to residents over 55-years-of-age, typically attracts someone about 72 years old as tenants, which an independent living senior community might attract people who typically are a decade older than that.
Thursday’s meeting was the second session held for neighbors to comment on the project — the first one — which ended up conflicting with a Cubs playoff game — also was lightly attended.
Something to keep in mind
Practically every home in Evanston is in the shadow of an adjoining property. Otherwise, home owners plant trees to provide welcome relief from the intense rays of the sun.
But
Not many homes in Evanston are in the shadow of another building 24/7. I would think any reasonable person would say this is a quality of life issue. I think the injured homeowners should receive some compensation for their loss. The compensation should not be paid by city funs but should come from the developer. Some of the damaged home owners maybe able to sell their homes to the developer. Perhaps the city can use the homes for low income housing.
Shadow
Thanks for the article, Bill. I recall shadow studies from 2005-2007 for Main Street/Chicago Ave area. Some, very technical. Anyway. Is 8-10 years too late for buyer’s remorse? A lot of rentals available at Sienna now. Maybe more, soon. Rule #1: don’t but a dream property next to an empty lot.