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Evanston committee advances Church Street sauna lease to city council after neighbors raise outreach concerns
Summary
The Administration and Public Works Committee voted to advance Resolution 41 R-25, a lease for a mobile sauna at the Church Street boat launch, after members debated neighborhood outreach and a business owner’s request to remain at Lee Street Beach while relocation is arranged.
The Administration and Public Works Committee of the City of Evanston voted April 28 to advance Resolution 41 R-25, authorizing the city manager to enter into a lease with the Sauna Club to operate at the Church Street boat launch, after a brief debate about neighborhood outreach and a request to delay action.
Council Member Kelly asked the committee to hold the item for two weeks so the sauna operator and city staff could meet nearby residents before moving the business to Church Street. "So I would just ask if we could hold it, for 2 weeks," Kelly said. She later clarified, "I would like to just table it until the next meeting."
The sauna operator told the committee he would prefer to remain at Lee Street Beach while relocation is arranged. "If we are able to stay at Lee Street Beach ... I'd be fine with that as long as we can just kinda keep going at Lee Street," the operator said during public discussion.
Tim Carter, Lakefront Manager, said staff can consider a short extension but would need to consult Public Works. "It is possible I would have to talk to public works. I I will note I did receive a complaint from a neighbor across Lee Street Beach yesterday asking when the mobile sauna will be moved from in front of their residence to another location," Carter said. Carter also told the committee that over the winter the sauna operated at Dempster Street Beach, that that lease ended, and that "Ryan obtained a right away permit" and is currently operating under that permit at Lee Street Beach.
Council Member Kelly’s motion to table did not receive a second. After a brief procedural exchange, the committee moved the item forward; the chair said the item will advance to the city council. The committee did not adopt a longer hold; no formal timetable for additional resident meetings or an explicit staff direction was recorded at the meeting.
Discussion on the item centered on balancing the operator’s interest in relocating with nearby residents’ concerns and ensuring staff outreach ahead of a permanent move. The committee did not specify any further conditions for the lease or set a follow-up date beyond advancing the resolution to the city council.
The item will next appear for consideration by the full Evanston City Council.
