Fifth Ward Evanston residents succeeded Monday night in their five-month-long fight against Robinson Bus Company’s proposal for a bus parking lot at the Mayfair right-of-way between Foster and Emerson streets.

Robinson Bus Company withdrew their proposal for the lot at the Planning and Development Committee. James T. Murray, attorney for Leon Robinson Jr, said that the residents’ resistance made it emotionally costly and counterproductive to continue with the proposal.

Evanston resident Elsie Liddell said she wasn’t “too swept away” by the decision. She believes the bus company will request another zoning change, but instead of asking for a lot for busses, the company will want to use the lot for cars.

At the committee’s July 9th meeting, the company offered to change their proposal so that it would allow only cars, but residents refused to compromise.

If the company decides to request a zoning change, residents will be ready to fight again, said Roberta Hudson, a representative of the Foster Park neighborhood Association.

Residents do not want a parking lot because they fear for their safety and health. The parking lot is across from a children’s playground and more than 1,600 children attend school in the area. Hudson said the neighborhood is already congested with traffic and a parking lot will only add to the problem.

Ald. Joe Kent (5th) commended Robinson for withdrawing the petition and hopes that the company will work with Fifth Ward residents to do something positive for the community.

The issue was originally held at the July 9 committee meeting after time ran out. Even though Ald. Stephen Engelman (7th), chairman of the committee, was apologetic, residents were still upset that discussion about the lot was postponed.

The proposed parking lot would have been located at the Mayfair right-of-way between Foster and Emerson streets and would have had 80 spots for buses.