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 parking districts) passed on final action with an 8–0 recorded vote.

- Ordinance 28‑0‑25 (sale of 2221 Keeney Street) passed on introduction and action; roll calls recorded seven ayes and no nays.

- Ordinance 27‑0‑25 (authorization for the city manager to negotiate sale contract for 1222 Washington Street to Evanston Township High School District 202) was introduced after debate and public comment and will be placed on the April 14 agenda for final action; multiple motions to suspend rules so it could be passed the same night failed.

- The council approved a BMO Harris credit card activity payment totaling $13,484.58 (item A2) by roll call; the motion passed with seven votes in favor, none against and one abstention.

Public comment and neighborhood concerns

Neighbors who live on the 1200 block of Washington Street urged the council to postpone negotiation of a sale contract for 1222 Washington Street and ask the newly formed urban design committee to evaluate the parcel. Speakers and a written statement from Lydia Home Association said the lot sits across from a residential program that houses up to 39 youth and that neighbors propose a community garden or pollinator park that would serve children at the nearby Rice Center and local parochial schools.

Joe Cirillo read a written statement from Alisa Garcia, director of residential services at Lydia Home, saying, “A community garden on the block could be a powerful way to support the programs housed at 1101 Washington and to connect the young people served there with their neighbors.” Tom Doyle urged delay: “Please look before we leap.” Several residents cited concerns about the lot’s mature trees and stormwater: the south side of Washington was described by speakers as already approximately 80% impervious surface.

City staff and timeline

Economic Development Manager Paul Zalmazak and Community Development Director Sarah Flax told the council that the school district has a construction schedule that depends on the city meeting publishing and notice requirements for sale of city-owned land; staff said missing the current notice window would delay the school’s timeline by about 30 days. Staff also said forestry personnel have identified some trees on the lot as desirable and that the city and the school will try to preserve as many trees as possible when the final site plan is submitted.

Votes at a glance

- Consent agenda (as amended): approved, 8–0 (consent agenda had items removed for separate consideration).

- Item A2 — BMO Harris credit card activity, $13,484.58: approved (7 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 abstention).

- Item A15 — Ordinance 26‑0‑25 (amend City Code 10‑11‑18; residents parking only districts): passed (8–0).

- Item A16/A17/A18 procedural sequence: Council attempted suspension of rules to consider Ordinance 27‑0‑25 (1222 Washington) in one night; the first suspension motion failed to receive unanimous approval and therefore the ordinance could only be introduced. The ordinance was introduced after a subsequent vote and will return April 14 for final action. Ordinance 28‑0‑25 (2221 Keeney sale) was suspended/introduced and passed same night (roll calls recorded).

What the council did not do

Council members declined to finalize a sale of 1222 Washington Street on March 31. Multiple motions to suspend rules to allow introduction and passage on the same night failed because the council’s rules require a unanimous vote for that shortcut.

Next steps

Ordinance 27‑0‑25 (1222 Washington Street) will appear on the April 14 council agenda for further action. Staff said they will continue meeting with neighbors and the school district and that final site plans from the school district will determine tree preservation and utility work timing.

Ending

The council completed a series of land‑use and procedural votes while residents asked for more time and design review for the Washington Street parcel. With the introduction of the high‑school sale ordinance, the council retained the ability to act but deferred final approval to the April 14 meeting to allow further notice and neighborhood discussion.