Council approves rezoning of long-vacant Bear River Drive parcel for nursery

The Evanston City Council on Feb. 4 voted to approve Ordinance 25-01, rezoning a long-vacant parcel at 196 Bear River Drive from public to highway business to allow a retail nursery proposed by AGN LLC (doing business as Aspen Grove Nursery).

Mark Jacobson, who presented the item to the council, said the property—formerly the Sunset RV Park and adjacent to Hamblin Park and the fairgrounds—was rezoned to public use in 2003 and has sat largely unused for about 20 years. "What's being offered is a meaningful reuse," Jacobson said, noting the applicant had cleaned up the site and sought a compatible commercial zoning district for the area. He said the Planning and Zoning Commission reviewed the proposal on Jan. 6 and forwarded a unanimous positive recommendation.

Council member Lynn asked whether the proposed arrangement was a lease with an option to purchase. Jacobson replied that the lease term is five years with three five-year renewal options and an option to purchase exercisable at those intervals, meaning the arrangement could extend up to 20 years. The council also confirmed that the site had been identified as historically significant in local records but does not carry state or federal historic designation; Jacobson said he would research the record and report back.

After brief discussion the council moved, seconded and approved the ordinance on second reading. The ordinance was approved without amendment and will remain on the council record as approved on second reading.