Council to review two developments Monday

Evanston's City Council will review plans for two developments totaling 340 apartments Monday.

The Land Use Commission last month unanimously recommended Council approval of both projects

Ald. Jonathan Nieuwsma (4th) told residents at a joint ward budget meeting Thursday night that the Planning and Development Committee will hear plans for both 938 Custer Ave. and 1621 Chicago Ave.

If council members approve the plans at the Planning and Development Committee on Monday night, the plans would be presented later in the evening at City Council and would appear again on the Nov. 25 council agenda for a final vote.

Nieuwsma said public comment opportunities will be available at Monday's meeting.

The Legacy, at 1621 Chicago Ave., is proposed as a 12-story, 110-unit building replacing a row of mostly vacant single-story retail shops north of the existing Merion retirement community.

Various taller proposals for the site have been made over the years, but faced fierce opposition from nearby residents .

The two earlier proposals were rejected by the Planning and Development Committee — in 2020 when it was 17 stories tall and again last year when it was 15 stories.

But this time, Ald. Clare Kelly (1st), who voted against it in 2023, said she was "very pleased" with the updated proposal last month.

The other project, at 938 Custer Ave., is 230-unit transit-oriented development just steps from the Main Street CTA and Metra stations drew generally favorable comments from residents over the summer and again in October.

Concerns from nearby residents were mainly focused on parking, which the LUC took into consideration when granting its approval.

"I think this project is the future of Evanston, it's emblematic of the future ," LUC Vice Chair Max Pachtel said. "It's a no-brainer."

The Planning and Development Committee meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Monday at the Civic Center.