Evanston hearing draws broad public pushback on zoning map, staff to refine timeline

The Land Use Commission met Jan. 22 for a public hearing on the draft zoning ordinance that will implement the Envision Evanston 2045 comprehensive plan, and residents filled nearly every public-comment slot with concerns about building heights, parking and missing baseline housing data.

The hearing, convened by Chair Rogers, focused on the zoning ordinance and its map rather than the comp plan; Deputy City Manager Steve Ruger told commissioners staff is still working to produce a detailed timeline and that “the consultants are a factor in this.”

Why it matters: The proposed ordinance would change allowable uses and heights across the city, and speakers said draft zoning labels such as M3 along parts of Chicago Avenue and adjacent to single-family R1 lots could permit 100-foot structures that would “canyonize” streets, reduce sunlight and privacy, and strain existing parking and infrastructure.

Residents from the Hinman–Chicago Avenue area led the public comments. Patrick Mulhern, who said he lives at 1224 Hinman, told the commission his block collected “82 people [who] sign[ed] a petition in 4 days” after seeing the map, and urged commissioners to ensure neighborhood input guides any changes. Michael Davis said the Preservation Commission recommended against 100-foot zoning on the west side of…