During a recent government meeting, concerns were raised regarding the accelerated pace of a comprehensive planning and rezoning process in Evanston. Participants highlighted the need for a more deliberate approach, suggesting that the simultaneous execution of these initiatives could lead to community frustration and a lack of adequate public input.

Mary Gavin and David Cherry emphasized the importance of slowing down the process, advocating for sequential planning and zoning to ensure that residents feel their voices are heard. Gavin pointed out that Evanston has never undertaken a comprehensive plan and rezoning concurrently, a practice not commonly seen in neighboring jurisdictions such as Skokie, Wilmette, Glenview, or Northbrook.

The discussion revealed a perception among community members that there is an underlying agenda favoring growth and density, which could undermine the quality of public engagement. Concerns were voiced about the potential for a \"locomotive\" effect, where decisions are made without broad support from the community. Participants called for more thorough survey research to understand residents' preferences regarding the future character of Evanston.

City staff acknowledged the concerns and explained that the concurrent approach was intended to address past issues where zoning approvals did not align with comprehensive plans. However, they also recognized the importance of community input and expressed a willingness to adapt the timeline based on feedback from the city council and residents.

As the process continues, city officials remain committed to ensuring that the community's perspectives are integrated into the planning efforts, with six months left for further discussion and refinement of the initiative.