a day ago
Evanston commission corrects error after preventing citizens from speaking on controversial project
Evanston's Land Use Commission initially denied some citizens, who are neighbors of a controversial proposed residential building that would be the third-tallest in Chicago's suburbs, the right to speak at a Wednesday meeting at which the Land Use Commission had been scheduled to vote on the project.
Commission officials acknowledged their error at the meeting, saying they had misinterpreted two conflicting government codes. They rescheduled the hearing for Aug. 27.
The building has been controversial because in addition to its proposed 31 stories and 331 feet in height, some have spoken about density, parking and potential wind issues at its proposed site in downtown Evanston at 605 Davis St. The proposal calls for 430 apartment units and 80 on-site parking spaces, with an agreement proposed for 120 more at a city-owned garage.
Some residents have spoken in favor of the site as well, pointing out that the 605 Davis Street site has been vacant for decades, and that the development would provide 86 affordable units, higher than the city's 15% mandated inclusionary housing ordinance requires. Downtown business owners have also supported it for its increased foot traffic and population that could bring in more customers to their stores.
Conversations on densifying Evanston, which has a mix of apartment buildings and single-family homes, have been largely divisive. The City Council is also in the process of mulling Envision Evanston 2025, the city's 20-year comprehensive plan which would likely increase density significantly.
Per the city's Land Use Commission rules, residents who own property within 1,000 feet of a proposed development can ask for a continuance, or a delay, when it reaches the commission to air their concerns regarding a proposed development. At a continuance, a resident can challenge claims made by a developer, and can present evidence and call on experts to help make their case.
At a previous Land Use Commission meeting in July, the commission's chair, Jeanne Lindwall, and city staff said they confused conflicting language in the city's zoning code and Land Use Commission. The commission granted a continuance for five residents who opposed the proposed building to speak at the Wednesday hearing, but mistakenly rejected six other residents from speaking at that hearing, Lindwall said at Wednesday's meeting.
'I'd like to apologize both to the applicant and to the members of the public for the situation, but I believe it's important that we rectify this error as expeditiously as possible,' Lindwall said.
Some residents also spoke against the project at the July meeting, but only people who own property within 1,000 feet of 605 Davis St. and submitted a request for a proposal in writing to the commission will be allotted time to speak at the continued August meeting. Residents can also make public comment at that meeting.
The city contacted the six residents on Monday, explaining their mistake and offering them a chance to speak. In order to give them time to prepare for the hearing, and to also allow the full commission to be present at the hearing, Wednesday's hearing was continued to Aug. 27.
'I believe this request makes a lot of sense, both in terms of the continuity of the proceeding and the fact that two of the LUC commissioners who were present on July 23 were unable to attend this evening; I believe staff is also supportive of this request,' Lindwall said.
Residents who were granted a continuance will have up to five minutes to present their testimony and evidence at the Aug. 27 hearing, Lindwall said. Residents who bring in an expert will have an additional five minutes to hear from the expert. The developer, and experts they wish to invite, will have an opportunity to cross examine the resident's expert after each testimony, and is also allowed a 20 minute closing statement or rebuttal after all residents have testified.
Residents who are not able to attend the Aug. 27 hearing can submit their testimony and expert analysis in writing, Lindwall said. After all the testimonies have been heard, the Land Use Commission is expected to deliberate and make a decision on the 605 Davis St. proposal, she said.
'I'd also like to remind the members of the public that it is inappropriate to contact Land Use Commissioners individually regarding this or any other case. We do our deliberations in public and hear testimony, and so please respect our role and the position we're in by not trying to reach out and discuss any case with us individually,' Lindwall said.
Once the Land Use Commission gives a recommendation on the proposal, the plans will then head to the city's Planning and Development Commission, made up of six members of the City Council. In order for the development to advance to the full City Council, it will need at least a tie or a simple majority vote from that commission. The development would then need to win a simple majority of votes from the city council.
