[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6171108,"mediaKeyId","5394929-02e6fe19b29c1f9acf0b909d1a443f3e","parentId",5394929,"title","Residents urge council to finish strategic housing plan before changing R-1 and R-2 zoning","audioSeconds",772,"startMs",590170,"endMs",1362260,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5394929-02e6fe19b29c1f9acf0b909d1a443f3e&start=590&end=1362","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5394929-02e6fe19b29c1f9acf0b909d1a443f3e/thumbnail_590170.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6171108/Evanston/Cook-County/Illinois/Residents-urge-council-to-finish-strategic-housing-plan-before-changing-R-1-and-R-2-zoning","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6171108-6efea2cb1d9de6e90816c21826565d0b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445387&Signature=FkdxM1WM5S8GzxeUcIudFdoQVDLO9ak1BX9P1mRN07BM-XwYhxT1edj4f3LZKy7-lZ40gYB~UMXToPCIQ4uWl11XSrM3lf14jPmoEeMjPTrCBoASZxlZHYyxt2qpIv0rSkmSPVMTVulp32AWIoDUYB-8OZwvz8UP3wDSCj5LDnsHlqMtpFEi3fa39MpCsLN6s3J8XDJO7KT0FEvWJ5IxGu9ojCj5jAyREyu2GFCgrm5HW297fHS2~icKTGoGVTcS7mx4lS7cimHs79Gl~nUEPvYGzzLEpvT950pRHknFW8DneZlmIqr-7SgOBs~CTzL~VBRI190wOhmmoYZeT7v~nw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Evanston, IL","date","2025-07-16T04:07:05.57Z","article","Dozens of residents and housing experts used the public-comment period to urge the Evanston City Council not to move forward with major zoning changes until the city completes a data-driven strategic housing plan and market analysis.

Joe Caprilli, a Sixth Ward resident who said he and a group of Evanston planning and design professionals sent a memo to the mayor and council, asked that the council retain an independent zoning consultant through an RFP and that the consultant work run concurrently with the comprehensive plan and strategic housing plan so the work can \"merge at the end.\" Steve Test and David Galloway, representing Design Evanston, supported the same sequencing and recommended a consultant with strong experience in form-based zoning and community engagement.

Several other residents warned that upzoning R-1 and R-2 areas to allow two- to four-unit buildings could undermine single-family neighborhoods, fail to produce affordable housing and accelerate demolition of modest homes. Mary Rasinski, speaking on behalf of developer Alf McConnell, said the city should commission a market study to determine who occupies existing affordable units and whether growth would subsidize residents from other municipalities. Sheila Sullivan said only larger apartment buildings can typically achieve economies of scale for true affordable units and urged that affordable housing be located near transit, shopping and services.

Andrea Liss and Paula Twilling similarly argued that the city's single-family character is a founding feature and cautioned against unplanned population growth; they said the Illinois Human Rights Act prohibits housing discrimination but that zoning changes also have fiscal and community-service implications. Alf McConnell and Paul Breslin urged careful financial vetting of specific projects, including requests for tax abatements and the developer's sources-and-uses statements.

Multiple commenters asked that the strategic housing plan be completed first, and requested that any RFPs for zoning consultants be explicit about objectives, public engagement and how zoning changes would connect to the comprehensive plan. Council members and staff acknowledged the request; several speakers explicitly asked that the zoning consultant RFP be added to a future council agenda for formal discussion.

No formal council action on zoning changes occurred during this meeting; the public-comment period was offered as the final opportunity for feedback on the draft consolidated plan and public participation plan being submitted to HUD.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Evanston City Council Meeting 7-14-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Several Evanston residents, architects and housing experts urged the City Council to complete a strategic housing plan and market studies before approving broad changes to R-1 and R-2 zoning that would allow two- to four-unit buildings across the city.","taxTitle","Evanston, Cook County, Illinois","taxId",2640,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6171099,"Evanston council debates scope and format of draft four-year goals; staff to return with \"SMART\" revisions",768,2690730,3459050,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5394929-02e6fe19b29c1f9acf0b909d1a443f3e&start=2690&end=3459","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5394929-02e6fe19b29c1f9acf0b909d1a443f3e/thumbnail_2690730.jpg","/articles/6171099/Evanston/Cook-County/Illinois/Evanston-council-debates-scope-and-format-of-draft-four-year-goals-staff-to-return-with-SMART-revisions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6171099-7bbcf362a95c3155fade876e394c572e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445387&Signature=LUeuoIpJJQUKdOOHEgy9mAMokeodEHEltoOce8WentQ9zba7Xupn3oNa5rCUa0YQ97rxzHk1N30wxtMgOlCkRv98LxiCW7LiBbFBvEy1DrqvARK7eFFywaWiMnZm16e9wl1Wi9zpC7kWbvph~qMk~Ed6Vo9O-onZnq~dTYkRgmyWsIQwf-kKSZ3PiMuhoR-NCzukS8RcSiB33G0vzPeV10vX78AqUov4rtBo3cSvXxw2gzIasnDIC8-sO3QWQNai7WXeOVAmZgHWHP-LknxZphaHaGnJCtEAf6eYwginL7cL9I0OTQUU09himrx7a549oVWNA32ZukkTIealbusKcQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff presented an initial draft of four-year council goals and solicited feedback from the newly seated council. Clark Manoza (staff) said the document before the council was an initial draft intended to prompt council direction.

Council members suggested several substantive revisions. Council member Eyles asked staff to add a specific bullet addressing services for people who are currently unhoused. Council member Davis asked for the budget section to separate discretionary from nondiscretionary spending and for every council item with a cost to show a budget source. Council member Rogers and others urged converting broad items into SMART goals (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound) to prioritize and shorten the list. Council member Kelly asked how the draft would be finalized; staff said they would revise the draft to be more succinct, \"smartify\" goals and return with a work plan within 30 days for implementation steps.

On specific goal items discussed, staff and council referenced continuing implementation of priority-based budgeting trials, retention of the city's ISO Class 1 rating for the fire department, and a proposal for a health hub to serve low- and no-income residents. Council member Davis questioned the need for a city-run health hub in light of existing hospitals and suggested collaborating with local hospitals; Ike Ogbo, the director for the Health and Human Services Department, said the hub's purpose would be to provide an access point for low- or no-income individuals and would be supported by grants rather than the city's general fund.

Council members agreed to give written feedback on the draft after staff circulates a revised version; staff will then prepare a work plan for implementing agreed goals.","Evanston city staff presented a draft of council goals for the coming term and council members asked for a shorter, more measurable set of objectives with clearer budgeting, timelines and a plan for follow-up.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6171104,"Evanston council approves 2025-2029 consolidated plan and HUD grant submission after public comment period closes",3155,519220,3675000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5394929-02e6fe19b29c1f9acf0b909d1a443f3e&start=519&end=3675","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5394929-02e6fe19b29c1f9acf0b909d1a443f3e/thumbnail_519220.jpg","/articles/6171104/Evanston/Cook-County/Illinois/Evanston-council-approves-2025-2029-consolidated-plan-and-HUD-grant-submission-after-public-comment-period-closes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6171104-9c8ad3ec2a07c55ea522800963c8cc62/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445387&Signature=jd22-U6aBjG2dhaHTGhRdQauMy~ecBkJgnlz6Oxtk-zeWDZArcYKxQ-5V-nfnTYAksPpKPyEfolSd9WqkP5TsKdKSZHxqOLOfAMF1e5QyjTqRUSbUXz85-XhfTRspMoGg2lBFw025zas7TfDjGMb2RIhnSXtVe8o3bK0jv1Z~BMzqgDaMMuLG5SWjoi13bQjNRNlg8T2EXhylMD4Rr-QfLQgjk~Vd~qoUX4SSnBBHshz4~OpvDPOsHATPWZGSidXiqrrBNs9R5Xke6aIqnQQvGUfWRBxn2WqzK7TFXM-aJhXzInmdOgG0t9DBrKOl1FCVBerTJjjYcmbshBwQ0zjCQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Evanston City Council voted to approve the draft 2025\u00102029 consolidated plan and the city's draft 2024 citizen-participation plan for submission to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, after the public-comment period closed at the meeting.

Council member Hedakaddis moved approval of the consolidated plan and Council member Harris seconded. The clerk took a roll call; council members voted in favor and the draft was approved. City staff noted the deadline to submit the consolidated plan to HUD is Aug. 8 and said HUD prescribes the data sources the city must use. Staff also said the city received additional federal funding in the FY2024 budget, which required a second public-comment period and amendment to the draft plan.

Several public commenters during the meeting had raised specific critiques of the consolidated plan's analysis and data, including requests for clearer treatment of the demand side of the housing market and corrections to some inconsistent statements in the draft. Jeff Smith, who requested the council's attention to the plan, told the council the release timing and overlapping large documents made public review difficult and identified passages he said contained factual inconsistencies. Staff said it would incorporate public comments into the submittal and would review submitted written comments for errors and corrections where the city has discretion.

Action details: Council member Hedakaddis moved to approve the draft consolidated plan and citizen participation plan for submission to HUD; Council member Harris seconded. The motion carried in the roll call; staff will submit the plan by the HUD deadline and include the record of public testimony.

The public-comment period for the consolidated plan closed at the meeting; staff said all oral and written comments received in the comment window will be included with the HUD submission.","The City Council approved the draft 2025-2029 consolidated plan and 2024 citizen participation plan to submit to HUD, accepting the record of public comments submitted during the comment period; staff said HUD prescribes much of the dataset and that the city must submit by Aug. 8.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6171113,"Evanston council approves $900,000 contract to study use of city properties under federal grant",995,2312490,3308000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5394929-02e6fe19b29c1f9acf0b909d1a443f3e&start=2312&end=3308","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5394929-02e6fe19b29c1f9acf0b909d1a443f3e/thumbnail_2312490.jpg","/articles/6171113/Evanston/Cook-County/Illinois/Evanston-council-approves-900000-contract-to-study-use-of-city-properties-under-federal-grant","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6171113-0388206248853aead3c19b0298d91d3c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445387&Signature=WEsK7qwbaXL4FL-L~Zs6qKKpg53IBzNhgtIOjRU4HmCqaumX5Q1rXm70B8gjvwTo1-YhkxlLl5Nq2zbywwauMpr5eX~lyWGzwtpOKGtfPOJBr~lqdqg6QB1BMDDMCDKDhvLukNqiL1OKKbaA51v7npL4upR0ZkG4CFb4Kr6a66uhNjjTWeIwLrBdFfI7kvEy9jpi0cn50Z8CZAiF1hE~lRVKhSYK4wYu7kgyxBaq-TmcNBTVKUqcTza5~SwK3koYV9CP~8uYlDqkNFHf2nFUZRs8NjM89Eba4yqGrZGNDIQpCc6xXQeBB6vOnrHY9k5tXG0~4F2drMkBZj5XIgrV4w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Evanston City Council voted to award a contract to ProVisor to carry out the city's Putting Assets to Work process for three municipal properties, approving the contract after debate over timing, scope and prior procurement steps.

Council member Peter Harris moved to approve the contract award to ProVisor for RFP 25-02; Council member Ailes seconded the motion. After a roll call the motion carried with five council members voting in favor and two opposed; Council members Kelly and Davis voted no.

The city said the federally funded grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation will pay for a roughly three-year community-engagement and implementation-planning process focused on the Civic Center (2100 Ridge), the Noyes Cultural Arts Center and the police and fire headquarters. Paul Zalmazak, the city's economic development manager, told the council the grant is intended to produce property-specific recommendations, financial plans and, if the community supports it, market partners to implement the recommendations. Zalmazak described the project as engagement-driven, not a comprehensive master plan: \"The end product is a recommendation to the city council\" and, for each property, \"it is a plan for each specific property.\" He said the grant covers the consultant work and the grant's three-year timeline is already underway.

Opponents on the dais and several public commenters urged the council to delay contract approval until the city completes concurrent planning efforts including the comprehensive plan and strategic housing plan. Council member Kelly said she was \"reluctant to support this right now\" and asked for more detail about how the consultant's work would align with those efforts. Council member Burns, who supported the contract, said substantial prior work on facility scenarios exists and the ProVisor engagement will continue that work.

Zalmazak and others described the properties as having significant maintenance or operational needs: he cited roughly $20 million in deferred maintenance at Noyes and said the civic center is currently vacant. He also said the grant is focused on transit-oriented opportunities and that the consultant team is prepared to begin immediately if the council approved the contract.

The council and staff noted a procurement complication earlier in the process: one proposer, Urban Resolve, had asked for the submissions to be re-evaluated after a procurement-system error initially excluded its response. The city paused work, re-evaluated submissions and held interviews before returning to the council.

Action details: Council member Harris moved to approve the contract award to ProVisor for Putting Assets to Work RFP 25-02; Council member Ailes seconded. The motion carried; five in favor (Burns, Rogers, Hedakaddis, Harris, Ailes) and two opposed (Kelly, Davis). The mayor then authorized staff to proceed under the grant terms.","The City Council voted to approve a contract with ProVisor to run a community engagement and planning process for three city properties under a U.S. Department of Transportation \"Putting Assets to Work\" grant despite objections from several council members and public commenters who said the work should align with the comprehensive and strategic-h ",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6171096,"Evanston proclaims July 2025 LGBTQIA+ Veterans Month; local AVfER chapter receives proclamation",349,89000,438330,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5394929-02e6fe19b29c1f9acf0b909d1a443f3e&start=89&end=438","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5394929-02e6fe19b29c1f9acf0b909d1a443f3e/thumbnail_89000.jpg","/articles/6171096/Evanston/Cook-County/Illinois/Evanston-proclaims-July-2025-LGBTQIA-Veterans-Month-local-AVfER-chapter-receives-proclamation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6171096-b115550b67a7fc0181233ec57b010636/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445387&Signature=EEjEjdho8Dex~MtveTT06UG8M3YZZ9utM50Uv8UXwX54W2RgGv0P3oijJzr2LRope35xFtsGAEUtgAccH-~N0V5jp0FyS3PzuB3G730UdLrqdtePNNe5WYsVTuKplT1pT7ZYTSD8~bttavTrMSU5m4pxcuWXeZ1-1mkPSvmwlLPpzp6b1j-YIeR6MS925J-j8ji2Jzmdj3TtJXtQdLbJvuxc8hMUpPlF0ilWXCZZ4Vt5L5IMwZJJS5xw9yRkKbCkSf7icBrSU-wapNQFFAP4gkG8XMVVyjVF3qivgIafDY5O9p7ID0erAsbbZRmzVrh0AdbUC-eiO~aRJS8QXwj8hg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor David Biss (referred to in the meeting as Mayor Biss) presented a proclamation declaring July 2025 as LGBTQIA+ Veterans Month in Evanston and invited members of the Chicago-area chapter of American Veterans for Equal Rights to accept the document.

The proclamation recited the history of discrimination in the U.S. military, noting that the \"Don't Ask, Don't Tell\" policy (DADT) in effect from 1994 until repeal by the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010 left many service members discharged and with less-than-honorable records. The proclamation acknowledged ongoing barriers that some LGBTQIA+ veterans face, particularly transgender veterans and veterans of color, in accessing care and benefits.

Larry Simpson, acting president of the Chicago-area chapter of American Veterans for Equal Rights, accepted the proclamation and thanked the council. The mayor and multiple council members thanked advocates who helped propose the proclamation, including Mike Petrosius, who was acknowledged by the mayor for advocating for the proclamation and working with council members on the text.

The proclamation was read from the dais and members of the organization were invited forward for photographs and remarks. No formal vote or ordinance was required for the ceremonial proclamation.","The City of Evanston declared July 2025 LGBTQIA+ Veterans Month and presented a proclamation to members of American Veterans for Equal Rights; speakers recounted the history of \"Don't Ask, Don't Tell\" and called for recognition of veterans discharged under that policy.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents urge council to finish strategic housing plan before changing R-1 and R-2 zoning

Evanston council debates scope and format of draft four-year goals; staff to return with "SMART" revisions

Evanston council approves 2025-2029 consolidated plan and HUD grant submission after public comment period closes

Evanston council approves $900,000 contract to study use of city properties under federal grant

Evanston proclaims July 2025 LGBTQIA+ Veterans Month; local AVfER chapter receives proclamation