By Bob Seidenberg
The Envision Evanston 2045 process is off to a fast start, garnering more than 900 responses from residents about what they’d like to see in the city’s major revision of its zoning code and comprehensive plan.
In an update to the Evanston City Council at their March 25 meeting, Sarah Flax, the city’s Community Development Director, told Council members that the responses had topped the mark in the first round of community meetings.
“Our goal is to get at least 2,000,” she said. ”We’re really getting wonderful engagement.”
City officials have been holding meetings throughout town the past few weeks, soliciting feedback from residents about what they would like to see in the first major changes to the city’s Zoning Code and Comprehensive Plan in nearly a quarter of a century.
The residents responses will be folded into the planning documents. Officials are aiming to have a draft Comprehensive Plan ready by November.
In brief discussion, Council member Devon Reid, 8th, expressed concern that the final recommendation “have teeth,” because if not, “we’re going to lose trust with our residents.”
Officials were also asked about what’s being done to ensure diversity in the response the city is receiving.
Several open houses have been organized to encourage participation,
including Spanish interpretation, child care, and light snacks and refreshments, “ Elizabeth Williams, the city’s Planning Manager, said in a memo “City staff has also partnered with Evanston Cradle to Career to complete surveys in the community and facilitate meeting-in-a-box,” she wrote. “Community members are also encouraged to host their own “meeting-in-a-box” conversation over the coming month by downloading the kit online or picking a packet up at Robert Crown Community Center, the Evanston Public Library, or the
City Clerk’s Office.”
Meanwhile, city has another round of meetings. Officials are to hold an Envision Evanston 2045 community meeting Wednesday, April 3, from 6:30 p.m., too 8 p.m., at the Levy Senior Center, 300 Dodge Ave.
To see a full schedule, and learn more about the process, visit http://EnvisionEvanston2045.com
