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Neighbors press council over proposed Popeyes at Dempster and Dodge; calls for Land Use Commission review after alleged harassment
Summary
Second Ward residents urged the council to send a Popeyes administrative‑review proposal to the Land Use Commission after neighborhood meetings and a petition; speakers described the intersection as a 'food swamp' and said neighborhood notice was inadequate, and one resident reported alleged harassment by a man she identified as representing the
Second Ward residents told the Evanston City Council on June 24 they oppose a proposed Popeyes restaurant at Dempster Street and Dodge Avenue and asked the council to send the project to the Land Use Commission for a formal public hearing rather than handle it through staff administrative review.
At least three residents who spoke — Tricia Connolly, Dekelle Fonda and Nancy Floyd of the Heartwood Center — said they were not adequately noticed about the proposal, that a large majority in the Second Ward opposes Popeyes, and that local alternatives better fit the neighborhood vision for healthy dining options.
Nancy Floyd, president of the Heartwood Center (a legally constituted Buddhist temple), told council she had met twice with Council member Chrissy Harris and was told the proposal would go to the Land Use Commission, but the review was later handled administratively. Floyd also said an individual claiming to represent Popeyes visited the Heartwood Center aggressively and that she filed a police report; she asked council to investigate who from city staff had told that person he had permission to contact neighborhood residents.
Dekelle Fonda said the neighborhood circulated a petition opposing the Popeyes and collected about 350 signatures from residents, business owners and workers in the West Village. Fonda asked the council to move the matter to the Land Use Commission, saying administrative review is intended for non‑controversial projects and this clearly had public opposition.
Several speakers framed the fight over Popeyes as a local public‑health and planning issue. Community members and an online commenter who identified herself as an Equity and Empowerment Commission member said the intersection already has several fast‑food outlets and characterized the area as a “food swamp” where unhealthy food options disproportionately affect lower‑income and minority residents.
Council dynamics and staff response
Council members and staff discussed whether the administrative review rules apply to the proposed use and whether it would be appropriate to send the matter to the Land Use Commission for public deliberation. Council member Kelly asked staff to confirm whether the project could be sent to the Land Use Commission; staff and Council member Chrissy Harris were identified in public comment as parties with knowledge of the review path and the meetings held with neighbors.
What residents requested
- Formal review of the Popeyes application by the Land Use Commission so neighbors can present testimony and have a recorded public hearing. - An investigation of the reported incident at the Heartwood Center and clarity on who informed the Popeyes representative he had permission to approach residents. - Clearer public noticing and administrative procedures for potentially controversial restaurant or franchise proposals.
Attribution
Quotes and claims in this article come from Second Ward residents recorded in the June 24 transcript: Tricia Connolly, Nancy Floyd (Heartwood Center), Dekelle Fonda and others who raised public‑health and community‑process concerns. Council member Chrissy Harris and staff member Sarah Flax were named in public comment as points of contact on the application.
