City Planning and Economic Development: Four immediate actions

I could not agree more. But to sustain the collaborative intent of this process, it is imperative that one party does not dominate or unduly influence the planning process. In all instances, the City Council must represent the desires of our community.

I see an opportunity, first and foremost, to broaden awarenes among the general community on the decision-making process Evanston has adopted.

• Step 1: Master Plans. These Master Plans are not mandates; they are guidelines and, on a higher order, an attempt to gather consensus on a shared vision for the City. For me, it is helpful to think of Master Plans as a set of standards and an illustration of how we would like things developed in our community. (There are a number of Master Plans, such as those for West Evanston, Central Street, Downtown and The Lakefront.)

• Step 2: Zoning Ordinances. In Evanston we have evolved to think of our zoning as more than the classical sense of defining development types or use. City leaders must now take great care in adopting ordinances that signal how the development should relate to its immediate environment. This is adding form to structure. The critical element of this second step is that an enacted ordinance provides specific base rights to a developer. If they show up with a plan that meets base requirements, they have the right to build. This is why, for example, the current discussion about the base rights in the Downtown area is so critical.

• Step 3: The approval process for development. Again, within base rights, the process is pretty straightforward. If, however, a developer seeks to extend beyond the base right, the City Council plays a critical role in assessing whether the development is in the best interest of the community at this time. It is important to remember that any plan and subsequent ordinance is created by assumptions at one point in time. Today, we may be most concerned with providing new business incentives, considering specific aesthetics, or seeking developments that decrease the burden on taxpayers. Tomorrow, we may be most concerned with enhancing building efficiencies or slowing density.

The future City Council must be able to act based on the emerging needs of tomorrow. To enable the Council to best represent the interests of all stakeholders – citizens, businesses, and institutions – I believe the following actions must be taken by your next 6^th Ward Alderman:

1. Directly work with the next 7^th Ward Alderman, Central Street residents, and local business owners to ensure The Central Street Master Plan is given foremost consideration by City staff and prospective developers. Particularly on the West end of Central Street, specific attention should be given to building business group coalitions to “sustain and enhance the corridor as a location for diverse, unique, small-scale, pedestrian-oriented retail shops, services, and restaurants.” Enhancing and expanding parking at transit and athletic facilities must be a priority.

2. Urge the Council to extend the right of appropriate review to citizens and Planning & Development in regard to Downtown core development. Allowing excessive “as-of-rights” significantly jeopardizes this right and signals that the Council does not trust the community’s ability to judge development on a case-by-case basis.

3. Partner with economic development interest groups and the Evanston Chamber of Commerce to build and fund an incentives-based marketing strategy for attracting businesses to our community. The presence of Northwestern University, interesting restaurants and shops, and an active community lifestyle make Evanston an ideal location for businesses desiring a stimulating and intellectually rich environment. We need to promote a “business experience” that features symposiums, thought leader conferences, and direct access to a highly talented and motivated workforce – a destination to work and play. It will be the environment that drives business growth in the years ahead. And, we must think about economic development more broadly than zoning.

4. Strongly support Evanston’s Inclusionary Housing Program to help meet the City’s goal of diverse housing opportunities for residents of all income levels. With income stagnation rising as a significant social issue, we continue to be at-risk for losing families who greatly benefit our community. The supply of single-family homes, condominiums, and town homes affordable to households with modest incomes must be protected.

I hope you will lend your support to our campaign and vote for the actions I am prepared to take.

Christopher Hart for Alderman, 6th Ward