Evanston City Council could vote tonight to extend building bans in the Fifth and Sixth wards for an additional 60 days, preventing certain types of residential developments in each area, in addition to voting on a final version of ward redistricting.

In August, City Council imposed a moratorium in the Fifth Ward on large-scale residential construction to last until Dec. 16. Only single-family detached homes may be constructed during the moratorium.

The ban originally was passed to address concerns that large homes would replace boarded-up residences. Ald. Joseph Kent (5th) said residents ultimately want a conservation district to preserve the character of their neighborhood.

Kent said the moratorium has benefitted the ward and its extension will allow for research about the most appropriate housing for the area.

A similar building ban was instituted June 12 for the Sixth Ward. The moratorium already was extended 90 days and is set to expire Dec. 8.

The ban mandates that any replacement housing be no bigger than the size of the original home or 3,000 square feet, whichever is larger.

The council also could vote tonight to increase the amount some Evanston natural gas customers pay in tax on their purchase. The initiative to equalize the gas use tax and the gas utility tax is necessary because of deregulation, said Alison Zelms, a city management analyst. Most Evanston residents purchase natural gas from Nicor Inc., but some commercial customers buy from other brokers and avert the gas utility tax.

If passed the equalization will provide an $500,000 to $800,000 annually for the city.

The Administration and Public Works Committee and the Planning and Development Committee will meet tonight at 7 p.m. at the Evanston Civic Center, 2100 Ridge Ave. The full council will meet there tonight at 8:30 p.m. All meetings are open to the public.