Neighbors Wednesday night gave mixed reviews at an Evanston Plan Commission meeting to a four-story, 44-unit mixed use development at 824 Noyes St.
The project has undergone some changes at the demand of city staff since it was first unveiled — including switching to an all-brick facade from the original proposal for a mix of brick and fiber-cement siding.
Developer Greg DeStefano said that change adds $250,000 to the cost of the $11 million project. But he said he ended up favoring another change recommended by the staff — that he shave off the peaks of the existing one-story building’s brick cornice to provide better views out the new building’s second-story front windows.
What the building design looked like in May, before the latest changes.
DeStefano plans to preserve the front and side walls of the existing buiding, which once housed the Noyes Street Cafe, and build the new structure setback from those walls to reduce demolition costs and comply with current setback requirements.
Michael Tanner.
Michael Tanner of 1015 Noyes St. said he feared the project would add density to the neighborhood and that it would become “a high-end dormitory” for Northwestern University students.
Jane Evans.
Jane Evans of 811 Gaffield Place, said she feared residents of the new building would cut through the alley to her street to avoid the traffic light on Noyes at Sherman Avenue.
“That parcel should be redeveloped,” Evans said, “but why does it have to be so big?”
Mimi Roeder.
But Mimi Roeder of 2235 Sherman Ave. said she was pretty impressed by the project and would be thrilled to have a restaurant back at the site.
“I think this will have good economic benefits,” Roeder said, “I’m thrilled to know that affordable housing is included and I’m delighted by the design.”
At the request of another neighbor, Barbara Janes of 802 Colfax St., the Plan Commission postponed action on the proposal until its next meeting, on Wednesday, Aug. 10.
Always something in NIMBY land
“Michael Tanner.feared the project would add density to the neighborhood and that it would become “a high-end dormitory” for Northwestern University students.
Jane Evans … feared residents of the new building would cut through the alley to her street to avoid the traffic light on Noyes at Sherman Avenue. That parcel should be redeveloped …but why does it have to be so big?…
Mimi Roeder …thrilled to have a restaurant back at the site.”I think this will have good economic benefits,” … “I’m thrilled to know that affordable housing is included.”
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So Michael is worried about all those rich NU students making it a “high-end” dormitory—in contrast to all the other I guess “low-end” apartments on Sherman and Maple and packed houses on Gaffield ? Certainly better housing and those terrible NU students should not be given a place to live. I guess Michael considers Park Evanston and similar structures in downtown Evanston the same way. But then Mimi likes the idea of affordable housing. Which is it ? Heaven forbid that 44 units would make the density any greater—and bring in revenue—at least where they live—NIMBY again. Jane wants development as fears such a “large” building [on top of an existing structure] will dwarf the skyline and be another sky-scrapper.
Mimi looks for a restaurant but Jane is afraid of more traffic. Has anyone asked why the Corinthian Column and Noyes Café could not make a go of it ? Not to mention Rollin to Go and all the other cafes and restaurants on Noyes ? The restaurants will only add to the traffic through the alley and around the area—there is already plenty of traffic through the alley from people not living anywhere around there—is she worried about [if memory serves me] the east/west partial alley behind the existing building ?
No wonder Evanston is stuck in the 19th Century—while the Preservationist want to push back to the 18th.
Why not eliminate all parking
Why not eliminate all parking requirements since the building is right by the el and residents won't have or need cars?