Council approves zone changes for Wasatch Road area amid parking and open-space questions

The Evanston City Council on second reading approved two companion ordinances (25-02 and 25-03) authorizing zone changes on property north of Wasatch Road to high-density and medium-density residential uses, a move the city said is intended to accommodate a proposed subdivision by GTR Property Holdings LLC.

City staff described the site as three parcels—one an unincorporated island that has already been approved for annexation—and said the land currently is shown in the city’s 2010 land-use plan as low-density residential with community- and highway-business frontage along Wasatch. “What is being proposed, eventually on third reading, you’ll review a resolution for an amendment to the 2010 plan,” City staff member Harris said while presenting the zoning map. Planning staff told the council the Planning Commission offered a favorable recommendation.

In a presentation, planning staff and the developer’s preliminary sketch showed a darker-orange area planned for high-density residential and lighter-orange for medium-density. Staff estimated the 17 lots in the high-density area could accommodate roughly 80 dwelling units overall if developed as two- to six-unit buildings; medium-density areas could allow about 30 dwelling units. Staff noted some lot sizes would require variances to meet open-space or usable-area requirements.

Council members raised practical concerns about parking and operations. One council member urged staff to flag snow- and trash-removal risks and to revisit parking adequacy during later subdivision review, saying: “I don’t want our guys in there, getting trapped with snow removal and trash removal like we did on Cheyenne Drive.” City staff and other council members said those operational details would be addressed during the formal subdivision and plat review process, not by the zone-change ordinance.

Staff also said major-subdivision rules would require either public-land dedication for parks or cash in lieu; when asked about the size of that dedication, staff replied it would be “about 55% of the total area within the subdivision” (as stated in the meeting), and identified that the city’s public-land-dedication requirements and later plat review would govern specifics.

Councilor Smith moved approval of ordinance 25-02 on second reading; Councilor Linde seconded. The motion carried on a voice vote and the ordinance was approved on second reading. Councilor Sellers moved approval of ordinance 25-03 on second reading; Councilor Linde seconded. That ordinance was also approved on second reading.

Why it matters: The zone changes clear the way for a medium- to high-density residential subdivision near an established neighborhood and a commercial frontage along Wasatch Road. The council and staff noted that while the zone change sets the allowable uses and densities, detailed issues such as parking counts, open-space layout, and site-specific access will be resolved later when the developer submits a formal plat and building plans.

What’s next: Staff said a future third-reading action will include a land-use-plan amendment, followed by formal subdivision review in which lot lines, open-space, and engineering will be finalized.

Votes at a glance: Ordinance 25-02 (zone change north of Wasatch Road) — motion to approve on second reading by Councilor Smith; second by Councilor Linde; outcome: approved on second reading (voice vote). Ordinance 25-03 (companion zone change) — motion to approve on second reading by Councilor Sellers; second by Councilor Linde; outcome: approved on second reading (voice vote).