Evanston referrals committee sends proposed natural areas ordinance to Administration and Public Works, schedules April hearing

The Evanston City Council Referrals Committee voted to send a proposal to revise the city’s natural areas ordinance to the Committee on Administration and Public Works and recommended the item be heard at the first April 2026 meeting, committee members said.

The referral (row 62 in the committee tracker) was presented as a request from the city manager and was described as previously reviewed by the Parks and Recreation Board and the Environment Board. "So, I will refer this to NPW uh at our next meeting unless staff needs more time," Council Member Nome said, describing the requested route for the item.

Committee members confirmed that another entry in the tracker (row 61) did not require action by the referrals committee because it was already scheduled for the council agenda that evening. A motion to refer the natural areas ordinance revision to the Committee on Administration and Public Works with a recommendation that it be heard at the first April meeting of 2026 carried by voice vote.

The approvals followed routine business: the committee also moved to approve the minutes of its March 9, 2026 meeting. Both actions were taken without recorded dissent.

Next steps: the referral will appear before the Committee on Administration and Public Works (NPW) for consideration; committee members recommended scheduling the NPW discussion at the committee’s first April 2026 meeting. No dates, proposed ordinance language, or detailed amendments were presented during the referrals meeting; staff review time was noted as a possible reason to delay scheduling.

The Referrals Committee adjourned after the vote.