Evanston council approves Sauna Club lease at Church Street boat launch after brief hold and neighborhood concern

The Evanston City Council on April 28 authorized the city manager to enter into a lease with the Sauna Club to operate at the Church Street boat launch, voting 8-0 after overruling a two-week hold that Council member Kelly had requested.

Council member Kelly had asked for a two-week delay to allow neighbors to be notified and meet with parks staff; she described the request as an effort to “apprise” residents before the location change. The motion to hold failed for lack of an immediate second, then was formally placed and later overruled after a separate motion to overturn the hold.

The hold was overruled after Council member George Nussbaum moved to overturn and Council member Harris seconded. The motion to overrule passed on a 6–2 vote, which met the two-thirds requirement; the underlying resolution (Resolution 41 R25) was then approved 8–0. Council members who spoke in favor said the move would place the business further from private homes and that the Sauna Club had been a responsible tenant at its prior location.

Sauna Club owner Ryan Kohler, who had signed up to speak during the public-comment period, told the council he was the owner of Sauna Club and that the business "has been operating for, 3 years now" and that he hoped item A11 could be voted on so the business could move into a new city-owned cafe area by the Church Street boat ramps. Tim Carter, Lakefront manager, told the council staff had received a complaint about the Sauna Club’s equipment storage at Lee Street Beach and recommended the move so the storage could be removed from the public frontage.

Council members against delaying said the business was already an established lakefront use and that the proposed Church Street location would reduce impacts on adjacent residences. Council member Nussbaum said he had received overwhelmingly positive feedback; Council member Reid said he would have voted to delay if there were a clear harm from voting tonight but ultimately supported proceeding.

The lease authorizes relocation of the Sauna Club from its prior beach site to the city-owned cafe area near the Church Street boat launch. The council did not discuss lease financial terms during the public session. No formal conditions or amendments to the lease were recorded in the council motion.

The council’s action followed the standard consent/regular agenda procedures after a short debate focused on neighbor notification and beach stewardship. The Sauna Club may begin operations in the Church Street boat launch area subject to the city manager completing the lease process.