Planning committee backs 3 Crowns Park renovation but bars Colfax lot unless neighboring resident parking is restricted

The Evanston Planning & Development Committee on July 27 recommended approval of an amended development plan for 3 Crowns Park and voted 6-0 to require that the proposed 23-space staff parking lot on Colfax Street not be built unless the City Council formally enacts residential parking restrictions within adjacent blocks.

The amendment, moved by Council member Davis and seconded on the floor, was framed as a compromise between neighbors—who opposed paving green space—and the applicant, which said operational parking is necessary for caregivers, visitors and staff. Council member Davis said the condition would preserve neighbors’ green space while allowing the city to impose restrictions later if needed without permanently foreclosing 3 Crowns’ ability to build on-site parking.

Opponents—including neighborhood groups and several residents—argued that the lot is unnecessary and would permanently remove mature trees and green space. Julian Hahnowitz of People Over Parking told the committee, “3 Crowns already has a 147 off street park parking spaces. The city requires 70,” and said independent reviews found street capacity can absorb projected demand. Emily Nash and other nearby residents reiterated concerns about drainage, lighting, traffic and neighborhood character and asked the committee to follow the Land Use Commission’s recommendation to deny the variances for a surface lot.

Applicant representatives disputed the characterization that the lot was gratuitous. Lisa Dye, executive director of 3 Crowns Park, said parking “is not a luxury; it’s addressing some real operational needs” and described staff, caregiver and visitor constraints when on-site spaces are reassigned to residents. The applicant’s revised plan included a 10-foot setback and a net increase of 21 spaces from earlier submissions.

Public Works staff and the applicant’s traffic consultant reviewed utilization counts for surrounding blocks. Staff said their field counts showed roughly 40 usable open spaces on immediate surrounding blocks at peak observation; applicants’ analysis projected the surface plan would keep overall peak occupancy slightly under or near capacity, while opponents’ reviewers argued the surplus was sufficient.

The committee adopted the amendment and then approved the ordinance as amended by roll call. The item will now move to the full City Council with the committee’s recommendation.