Respect the Popularity of the Single-Family Home

Submitted by jeffpsmith on Fri, 12/20/2024 - 12:15

Two things stand out in the current zeal of some in Evanston, Illinois to villainize if not obsolete the single-family neighborhood. One is the misplaced blame. In Evanston, single-family homes are an atypical (for the suburbs) minority, albeit a key part of the community. So these dwellings don't drive the market, they reflect it. The other is the complete disregard for the popularity of single-family houses. Overlooking that shows disrespect for quaint notions like choice, freedom, empowerment, and personal space. Right: The author's 2200-sf Dutch Colonial of 34 years, built 1922-23.

Evanston Residential Upzoning, Illustrated

Submitted by jeffpsmith on Thu, 12/12/2024 - 11:28

Considerable complaint is growing about the process and product of Evanston's Comprehensive Plan and zoning makeover to date. The realization is dawning that the feel-good ideals of the planning mask an attempt to dramatically “upzone” almost every Evanston neighborhood, allowing far more height, mass, and density in development than presently, while relaxing lot size and parking rules. Drawing most attention: allowing 35’ three-story apartment or condo buildings of up to 4 units (or more) on all lots in Evanston currently zoned for single-family homes or two-flats; removal of height limits for downtown; and conversion of many business districts, including Central Street’s, to multi-use “corridors” of 65’ or 100’ buildings. What would that really look like?

Forums:

Eliminate R1 and upzone all of Evanston? Thur. Dec 12 6th and 7th ward meeting

Submitted by Mary Rosinski on Wed, 12/11/2024 - 00:22

The following was from an e-mail blast put out by 6th Ward Councilmember Tom Suffredin:

Reminder: 6th and 7th Virtual Ward Meeting: Envision Evanston 2045 Meeting, December 12

Forums:

Harris Sweep of Evanston Led by North Side and Lakefront

Submitted by jeffpsmith on Sun, 12/01/2024 - 16:10


A couple weeks after the election, the Cook County Clerk finally released ward- and precinct-level results for the suburbs. These returns show the strongest support for Democratic candidates in north Evanston and along the lakefront, and few significant differences in partisanship anywhere.

Residents and Landowners Must Have Time to Weigh In Before Elimination of R1 Zoning; We Need Real Townhalls, Not Sticky Notes

Submitted by Mary Rosinski on Fri, 11/15/2024 - 09:43

 


URGENT! The public has never called for the elimination of R1 zoning. Why are some elected officials doing just that, and pushing zoning and comprehensive plan updates before the public process is completed? What is the rush? These changes impact everyone—renters, homeowners, landlords, developers—and the public needs to discuss the pros, cons, and unintended consequences. Who is behind this rush? It is up to us to slow it down.

Forums:

Eliminate R1 Zoning? Why Did Mayor Biss Sponsor this Referral In July and Get 4 other Council Members to Co-Sponsor?

Submitted by Mary Rosinski on Fri, 11/15/2024 - 09:28

A reccomendation to elimate all R1 zoning deserves many questions as to why he and 4 other council members made this recommendation back in July 2024. What are the pros and cons and as important what are the unintended conseques of property owners. Who is driving the massive change? The draft comprehensive plan was just released about a week ago 4 months after the referral and while the public is still in the process of providing imput. Below is one letter in the roundtable.


Letter to the editor: City should keep single-family zoning

Forums:

Hot Issues in the Evanston Draft Plan and Upzoning

Submitted by jeffpsmith on Thu, 12/12/2024 - 10:56

On the evening of Nov. 6, as most of Evanston was distracted watching the national political picture, the City released a draft re-zoning of all Evanston, altering both zone boundaries and the definition of how thousands of homes or businesses, and the land next to or behind yours, is zoned.

Pages

Subscribe to Central Street Neighbors Association Est. 2007 RSS