Evanston council adopts Envision Evanston 2045 after contentious public comment; directs staff to return zoning RFP

On Jan. 26, 2026, the Evanston City Council voted 5-4 to adopt resolution 8-R-26, the Envision Evanston 2045 draft comprehensive plan, after extended public comment and a council amendment allowing staff to make minor corrections identified at the meeting.

The plan lays out the city’s long-range vision for land use, housing, transportation and climate resilience. Supporters, including Sarah Peterson, executive director of Open Communities, urged the council to act on the plan to address affordability and displacement: "We look to you now as our leaders to take action, to say yes to the Evanston we've envisioned," she said during public comment.

Opponents warned the plan's upzoning language could accelerate gentrification and said the planning process lacked transparency. "As long as policy H2.1 is in the plan calling for upzoning in all neighborhoods by right, the plan should be defeated," said Steve Test, a 3rd Ward resident. Several speakers, including Paul Breslin, presented a citizen timeline alleging the process had been shaped by grant commitments and consultant work before some public input was complete.

Council debate focused on wording, staff roles, and corrections. Council member Rogers successfully moved an amendment to section 2 of the resolution to allow the document to be adopted "with minor modifications as described by council members at the January 26 council meeting"; the amendment passed unanimously (9-0) on roll call. Council members then proceeded to a final roll-call vote on adoption. The resolution as amended passed 5-4.

Council also directed staff to return a draft request for proposals for a zoning ordinance consultant to council for approval before publication. Council member Rogers moved, and the council approved, that staff provide the draft RFP within 30 days.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution 8-R-26 (Adopt Envision Evanston 2045, as amended): Passed 5-4. Mover: Council member Nussbaum; Second: Council member Harris. Note: the council first approved an amendment allowing minor staff modifications by unanimous roll call (9-0). - Motion directing staff to provide a draft RFP for a zoning ordinance consultant to council within 30 days: Passed 9-0. Mover: Council member Rogers; Second: Council member Kelly. - Consent and contract votes taken the same evening (selected): A2 (BMO Harris/Amazon credit card activity): Approved (8 ayes, 1 abstention); A17 (Change order #3, Civiltech Engineering – Church St. improvements): Approved (8-1); A18 (SWANCC disposal fees): Approved (8-0); A21 (TY Lin change order, water perimeter fence): Approved (8-0); A26 (Motor Fuel Tax resolution for street improvements): Approved (8-0). HCDC1 (vacation-rental ordinance): tabled to the Feb. 9 meeting for further staff work.

Why it matters

The comprehensive plan is an advisory document that will guide subsequent zoning changes and implementation work. Council members repeatedly emphasized that the zoning rewrite—now to be advanced with an RFP for a consultant—will be the detailed step where rules change. Several council members and many public speakers said they want stronger analysis and safeguards to protect affordability during that process.

What comes next

Staff was asked to incorporate the minor edits described on the record, to circulate the RFP draft for council review within 30 days, and to return the vacation-rental ordinance (HCDC1) with requested clarifications by the Feb. 9 meeting. The council then recessed into executive session to discuss litigation matters.

Sources: Evanston City Council meeting transcript, Jan. 26, 2026. Direct quotes and attributions are from the public-comment and council-discussion portions of the transcript.