Evanston City Council will discuss Monday whether or not the city can handle another condominium project.

The proposed seven-story, 77-unit building would be on the corner of Main Street and Chicago Avenue. Some aldermen and residents are concerned the development will hurt the city.

“Evanston is being over-populated by the introduction of these immense apartment structures,” said Harvey Rubin, 75, who lives at the 400 block of Main Street.

Rubin has lived in Evanston for over 30 years and said congestion from the increased cars and people is changing the nature of the city.

“Evanston used to be a nice place to spend a Saturday, ” he said. “You used to be able to get into a movie or a restaurant, but you can’t do that anymore very comfortably.”

Ald. Joseph Kent (5th) said his biggest concern with the development is that the price range “doesn’t speak” to Evanston residents. The average price of a unit in the proposed building is about $315,000.

“Who are we building it for?” he asked. “Yuppies who have no commitment to Evanston.”

Kent said he also was concerned the effect on downtown traffic. At the May 7 Planning and Development Committee meeting, James Murray, a representative for the developer, said traffic will increase less than if the land were used commercially, based to national standards. Ald. Elizabeth Tisdahl (7th) said she supports the proposed development for that reason.

“It looks to me to be a good plan,” she said. “There will be less traffic … from this building as a condo than there was from the bank that used to be there.”

But Kent questioned the validity of national standards and suggested that developers consider Evanston standards.

“If I can’t get across my street at 8 a.m., I don’t care what the national standards are,” Kent said. “We’re bringing a heck of a lot of people into Evanston. In some ways it’s good, but in some ways we’re very close to destroying the quality of life here.”

Ald. Arthur Newman (1st) said City Council needs to consider the project carefully before approving it because previous developments have damaged the city.

“We don’t want that happening again,” he said.

The council will also consider calling for the repeal of the USA Patriot Act, a federal law that gave the government new police powers after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. These new powers include wiretaps and expanded access to personal records. Opponents believe the act violates civil liberties, but supporters argue it helps fight terrorism.

The Evanston Human Relations Commission in March passed a resolution asking Congress to repeal parts of the law the commission felt violated citizens’ rights. At its May 5 meeting, the Human Services Committee expanded the resolution to urge repeal of the entire act.

The committee, which is composed of four aldermen, unanimously passed the resolution, and Tisdahl said she believes the full council also will pass it.

The council meets at 8:30 p.m. tonight at the Evanston Civic Center, 2100 Ridge Ave. The meeting is open to the public.