Evanston City Council will likely delay voting again on new construction on the former site of Kendall College, 2408 Orrington Ave., tonight.

The council is scheduled to consider an April 13 recommendation from the Evanston Preservation Commission to deny Smithfield Properties’ plans for the site. Smithfield proposed to build 16 single-family homes and 32 townhouses at the site and appealed the Preservation Commission’s decision. By law, the council must hear the appeal tonight.

But tonight will be the first time the new council debates Smithfield’s proposal. Smithfield’s attorney has asked the council to wait until revisions to the planned development are submitted. Smithfield bought the Kendall property in November 2003 and presented tentative plans to develop the site in February 2004.

The council may also vote to add a $24.32 payment to Evanston residents’ water bills over the next three years to pay for inoculation of Evanston’s elm trees. Council decided March 1 to split the costs of inoculating all of Evanston’s public elms between residents and the city. Ald. Delores Holmes (5th) said she thinks a public hearing should be held to air residents’ concerns, especially because some residents have complained that they were not informed about the payment program prior to the council’s decision.

The Planning and Development Committee also will consider a request from Chipotle Mexican Grill, 711 Church St., for a permit for outdoor chairs and tables. The committee has delayed approving Chipotle’s request because of garbage and overfilled trash bins in the alley beside the restaurant, according to city documents. A city inspection on May 16 found Chipotle in compliance with regulations, but Chipotle must also pass an inspection today.

Committee meetings will start earlier tonight, due to a May 17 schedule change made by the council. The Administration and Public Works Committee meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m, followed by the planning committee at 6:30 p.m. and the full council at 8:30 p.m. Previously both committee meetings were held at 7 p.m. and different sets of aldermen served on each committee, but the council decided to put all aldermen on the development committee. This will cut down on debate during council meetings, Holmes said.

All meetings are in the Evanston Civic Center, 2100 Ridge Ave.

Reach Tina Peng at [email protected].

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No decisions expected on Kendall College site, elm inoculation