Starbucks officials will hold another neighborhood meeting before aldermen can decide whether to allow the coffee chain into south Evanston, according to members of Evanston City Council.
After months of controversy, a Zoning Board of Appeals’ recommendation to deny Starbucks’ request for a special use permit for the site at 519 Main St. was to come before the Planning and Development committee at its regular Monday night meeting.
Because the request was withdrawn, tonight’s Planning and Development committee meeting was canceled.
“I’ll be interested in hearing what the neighbors have to say now,” said Ald. Joe Kent (5th). ” I think it’s necessary that if anything is developed in Evanston the fears of the immediate community should be relieved.”
Residents and businesses around the site said they thought a Starbucks would create too much competition for existing businesses, Mayor Lorraine Morton said.
But Morton said competition is not always bad.
“On the corner you have a place that sells coffee,” she said. “And you have Lucky Platter across the street. But who are the people who frequent those places now? I don’t think they would go across the street to a Starbucks. I think they would be loyal.”
The project’s original plans called for a drive-through window, which could add to traffic problems, Morton said.
The council will also consider a proposal to allow O’Donnell, Wicklund, Pigozzi and Peterson Architects to perform a $70,500 study to evaluate the condition of the Robert Crown Center, 1701 Main St.
The study will allow aldermen to better decide the fate of the recreation center, which Morton said has had trouble since 1982.
“There’s always something wrong with Robert Crown,” she said. “That building has always had trouble. The last time I was there someone told me water had buckled the floor. I have no question in my mind that that building is in need of repair. Some people say tear down, some say renovate it. I don’t know what the outcome will be.”
Kent said the study would help determine what is wrong with the existing building, which is less than 30 years old, and explore options for renovation or rebuilding.
Kent said the Robert Crown center is a hot issue in Evanston. Residents in the area close to the center do not like living near a “megaplex,” but Evanston residents involved in athletics want to keep the center. The center houses indoor ice rinks, a gymnasium and a fitness area.
“I think there are a lot of people throughout the community who have opinions for or against it,” he said. “There aren’t too many neutral people.”
Aldermen will also discuss approval for the 2002 motor fuel tax program, in which the city would receive money from the sale of gasoline. The 2002 program would direct the money toward street resurfacing.
The council will also consider purchasing 10 computer terminals costing a total of $65,600 from Motorola for the Evanston Police Department. Aldermen are considering buying four police sedans costing a total of $92,461 in conjunction with the State of Illinois from Landmark Ford.
