The Evanston Plan Commission voted unanimously tonight to recommend the City Council approve the Church Street Village townhouse proposal for the former Hines lumber yard at 1613 Church St.

The vote came after the developer presented revised plans responding to concerns commissoners raised at a hearing last month.

The revisions cut the number of units from 42 to 41, consolidate the project from eight buildings to three and create a new courtyard in the center of the site.

The new design also creates more variety in the appearance of the units, with some units set back further from the street than others.

“I am very much in favor of the revised plan,” Plan Commissioner Alice Rebechini said, “I think the developer has responded very well to the residential scale and feeling issues that we brought up in our last session.”

Bill Smith is the editor and publisher of Evanston Now.

Leave a comment

The goal of our comment policy is to make the comments section a vibrant yet civil space. Treat each other with respect — even the people you disagree with. Whenever possible, provide links to credible documentary evidence to back up your factual claims.