Neighborhood groups need more time to review Evanston’s 2006-2011 Strategic Plan before it is approved by aldermen, Evanston residents said at a Strategic Planning public forum Tuesday night at Evanston Northwestern Healthcare, 2650 Ridge Ave.

The City Council hoped to approve the plan at one of their February meetings, Ald. Delores Holmes (5th) said.

About two-dozen people spoke at the forum attended by a crowd of about 130, raising a variety of concerns they had with the plan such as preservation, minority groups and the plan’s implementation.

The plan did not adequately address senior groups, especially elders with disabilities, said Frances Seidman, chairwoman of Evanston’s Commission on Aging.

“I would really like to bring this up with the commission,” she said.

Residents heard a presentation about goals city officials, aldermen and Executive Partners – a consulting group the city worked with to create the plan – developed to improve Evanston in the next five to 10 years. Residents then gave feedback on the plan. It was the third opportunity residents had to give input since the plan was initiated in January 2005.

The strategic plan lists 14 main goals on topics such as creating a stronger, more diverse economy and more productive relationships with Northwestern University, non-profit organizations, businesses and schools in Evanston.

The plan also lists specific objectives city officials should work toward within the next 24 months, such as developing a comprehensive inclusionary housing policy and working with schools to keep school libraries open longer.

Residents also wanted to see the plan incorporate more aspects of city preservation.

Evanston resident Bill Schwimmer said he had concerns about preserving the lakefront.

“It’s the one source of openness and tranquility in this city,” Schwimmer said.

Some residents who attended the meeting also said the plan does not fully address the needs of some minority groups.

“Racially and economically, this city is no longer going to be diverse if affordable housing opportunities are not increased,” said John Fuller, vice president of the Evanston branch of the National Association of the Advancement of Colored People.

“I didn’t hear specific services directed to the Hispanic community,” said Fortino Leon, chairman of the Organizacion Latina de Evanston, after the meeting. “But, it seems that everything (in the plan) fits all residents.”

The city should continue to work on narrowing the achievement gap in schools as well as hiring bilingual employees, Leon said.

Ald. Cheryl Wollin (1st) said she would support giving Evanston residents more time to give feedback about the strategic plan.

“There is no rush to do this,” she said.

Reach Lensay Abadula at [email protected].