Evanston committee approves equity-priority building goals after debate over landlord-finance clause

The Evanston Equity Priority Buildings Committee voted to approve a three-part set of goal statements for designating “equity-priority buildings,” striking a final clause from the first goal after members said it could be read as conflicting with promised landlord support.

Committee members approved goals that aim to ensure occupants of priority buildings share benefits such as reduced carbon emissions and improved indoor air quality; to establish alternative compliance pathways and prioritize technical or financial assistance for low-income and historically marginalized communities; and to implement requirements in ways intended not to drive displacement or be a primary cause of higher housing costs.

The edit adopted by the committee removed language beginning with the word “regardless” in goal 1 after several members, including a remote participant, said the clause could be interpreted as requiring upgrades without regard to a building owner’s ability to finance them. One committee member said the clause’s removal still keeps the intent of not leaving people behind because the goal already begins with the word “all.” The motion to vote on the goals…