Commission recommends Kensington School planned development for Central Street site, despite neighborhood opposition

On Jan. 14 the Evanston Land Use Commission voted 6–2 to recommend that City Council approve a planned development and special‑use application from Kensington School for a 19,952‑square‑foot two‑story day‑care facility at 3434 Central Street, subject to 13 conditions in the staff packet.

Applicant Charles (Chuck) Marlis said Kensington operates multiple schools in the Chicago area and had revised the plan in response to prior feedback, including limiting access points and relocating utilities and an easement so a neighboring co‑op would have independent access. Marlis and the project team described a stormwater detention vault, permeable pavers, expanded landscaping and a proposed $25,000 contribution for nearby sidewalks; they also proposed a scholarship program and sustainable drop‑off incentives.

Consultants emphasized operational design choices intended to reduce peak congestion: staggered arrival and departure windows across a multi‑hour period, two access drives (a restricted in/out and a channelized access to deter cut‑through traffic), and on‑site parking (38 spaces). Traffic consultant Michael Worthman said the applicant increased surveyed volumes to reflect pre‑pandemic patterns and projected growth, and that intersections in the triangle have sufficient capacity under those assumptions; the applicant also agreed to perform a post‑construction signal‑timing study if the city determines operations warrant it.

Neighbors and a coordinated coalition of nearby residents urged denial. Spokesperson Amy Hauenstein argued the building is oversized for a residential parcel, understates peak‑hour impacts, and will increase impervious coverage while removing mature trees; Hauenstein said, "This proposal falls short on all 3" standards the neighbors judged essential (compatibility with the plan, demonstrated mitigation of impacts, and alignment with adopted goals). Other neighbors raised pedestrian safety, crash history at the Grosse Pointe/Central/Crawford triangle, water‑pressure concerns, and the loss of an opportunity for housing.

Commissioners debated tradeoffs between placing the building and playground centrally to buffer adjacent residences and the zoning preference for front‑yard buildings. The commission concluded the revised site plan and the package of conditions — which include utilities/easement relocation, sidewalk construction, stormwater compliance, and public‑benefit commitments — sufficiently address the standards for recommendation. The positive recommendation will be forwarded to City Council for final approval.