Evanston council approves parking change, sells city lot at 2221 Keeney; Washington Street sale introduced after neighborhood objections

Evanston City Council on March 31 passed an ordinance creating a residents-parking district, approved the sale of a city-owned lot at 2221 Keeney Street, and introduced an ordinance authorizing negotiation of a sale contract for 1222 Washington Street to Evanston Township High School District 202 after extended public comment and failed attempts to act on the measure the same night.

The council voted 8–0 to pass Ordinance 26‑0‑25, amending city code section 10‑11‑18 to add a residents-parking-only district (item A15). Later, the council approved Ordinance 28‑0‑25, authorizing the city manager to sell the city-owned property at 2221 Keeney Street (item A17), by recorded roll call with seven voting in favor and none opposed. A proposed immediate final action on Ordinance 27‑0‑25 (1222 Washington Street) failed to achieve the unanimous suspension of rules required to both introduce and act the same evening; the ordinance was introduced and will be returned for action on April 14 after the council vote to introduce carried.

Why it matters: the measures change street parking rules and move city-owned property into private ownership, and the Washington Street item prompted community requests to delay a sale so neighborhood concerns about trees, stormwater and alternative uses can be considered.

Most important facts

- Ordinance 26‑0‑25 (residents…