Despite Evanston residents’ concerns, City Council voted Monday night to approve the development of an apartment complex at 1930 Ridge Ave. where Northwestern students may live.
The aldermen voted 6 to 3 for the controversial 194-unit development. Aldermen voting in favor of building the complex cited as reasons economic benefits and the building’s 10 low-income housing units. Those voting against the four-story complex were concerned with a variety of problems mostly associated with NU students.
Ald. Joseph Kent (5th) said he was concerned with increased foot traffic caused by students as well as noise caused by the loud parties that students may throw.
“Our experience with undergraduate students has not been a good one,” Kent said.
The building will be located in Kent’s Fifth Ward, and his sentiments echoed residents concerns. Bob Aktins, president of Northwestern Neighbors association, said he feared excessive noise and trash caused by “inconsiderate undergraduates” who may run over the elderly and children while riding their bikes to class.
Ald. Gene Feldman (9th) said he understands residents’ concerns about students but does not believe that all NU students are “bad apples.”
“I’m delighted they are going to be living there,” Feldman said.
Before the council voted on the issue, they amended the proposal to prohibit the developers, Atlantic Reality Partners, from selling the building to a tax-exempt institution such as NU.
The developers have made several revisions to their proposal since it was proposed last summer. Originally the developer envisioned a 11-story building with no low-income housing, but resident and council opposition forced it to change plans.
But some residents were not satisfied by these concessions. NU Prof. Daniel Garrison, who lives in the neighborhood, said, “We would all welcome it if is only 100 units.”
In other business, the Administrative and Public Works Committee voted 2-2 to table discussion of a $10 head tax per employee for Evanston employers with more than 1,000 employees. But Ald. Lionel Jean-Baptiste (2nd), who voted to halt discussion, said during the council meeting he did not understand the procedure and did not mean to stop talks about the tax. He said he welcomed the discussion, although he does not support the head tax at this point.
Residents in favor of the head tax were upset they were not able to voice their opinions. Davis Ellis, co-chair of the Fair Share Action Committee, said the committee may look at placing the head tax issue on a referendum ballot if that is what it takes to achieve the tax.
“This action subverts the democratic process,” he said.
