Two groups have scheduled public forums this month on the Evanston referendum questions on the Nov. 6 ballot.
The League of Women Voters of Evanston hosts a forum on both the binding real estate transfer tax increase referendum and the advisory referendum on the future of the Harley Clarke mansion at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 14, in the ETHS Auditorium, 1600 Dodge Ave.
For each referendum, a panel of invited speakers will present their views and respond to questions. Audience members may submit written questions, which will be posed by a League moderator.
The transfer tax referendum would increase the tax on high-value properties. The rate, now $5 per $1,000 of the selling price for all properties, would increase to $7 per $1,000 for properties valued between $1.5 million and $5 million and to $9 per $1,000 for properties valued at more than $5 million if the referendum is approved.
The advisory referendum asks: “Shall the City of Evanston protect from demolition and preserve the landmark Harley Clarke buildings and gardens next to lighthouse beach, for use and access as public property, consistent with the Evanston Lakefront Master Plan, at minimal or no cost to Evanston taxpayers?”
The Central Street Neighbors Association will host a forum on the Harley Clarke referendum at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 10, at American Legion Post 42, 1030 Central St. So far CSNA says it only has confirmed that representatives of the group sponsoring the referendum will speak at the session.
Update 10/8/18: The location of the Oct. 10 CSNA forum has been moved to the Chandler-Newberger Center, 1028 Central St.