City Council and MWRD reject easement for development at Isabella Woods

On May 15, City Council met to consider a resolution to oppose the granting of an easement off Isabella over property leased from the Metropolitan Water District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) to a property owner/develop to build homes in Wilmette. Council voted unanimously to endorse this resolution in opposition.

On Thursday, May 18, the MWRD Board met to consider granting of the easement and heard from Evanston and Evanston residents in opposition to the easement. The MWRD Board voted unanimously to oppose the easement. You can find a link to the agenda and minutes for the meeting here. Efforts to oppose the easement were led by a number of concerned citizens of Evanston and community organizations, with a focus on preserving Isabella Woods - an old growth forest and wetland that serves as a natural habitat, flyway and is essential to the ecosystem and storm water management. The easement would have provided for what would essential be a private road, with no public benefit.

You can read news at this site for the Patch. On Saturday, May 27 from 10-noon, supporters of Isabella Woods are gathering at Canal Shores to recognize the success of their efforts and to walk to Isabella Woods. Canal Shores Golf Course will also provide information on its ecological study that will inform efforts to make improvements to the golf course and preserve and protect this special space in our community.  Canal Shores is located at 1030 Central Street.