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HomeMy WebLinkAboutORDINANCES-2007-057-O-07• 6/5/2007 5/30/2007 5/17/2007 57-0-07 AN ORDINANCE Establishing a 180-day Moratorium on the Issuance of Building Permits for Construction in Downtown WHEREAS, the City of Evanston is a home rule municipality pursuant to the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and WHEREAS, the City adopted a Zoning Ordinance in 1993 pursuant to its home rule powers which, among other things, divided the City into various Zoning Districts, regulated the types of land uses allowable in those Districts, and placed certain restrictions on those land uses, including, but not • limited to, lot size and restrictions on the location, height, bulk, density, and setbacks of the structures thereon; and WHEREAS, the purposes and intents of the Zoning Ordinance as set forth therein include "Promoting the public health, safety, comfort, morals, convenience, general welfare, and the objectives and policies of the Comprehensive General Plan, as adopted and amended, from time to time, by the City Council"; "Preventing the overcrowding of land by regulating and limiting the height and bulk of buildings hereafter erected, as said buildings relate to land area"; "Establishing, regulating, and limiting the building or setback lines on or along streets, alleys, and property lines"; "Regulating and limiting the intensity of • the use of lot areas, and regulating and determining the area of open spaces within the surrounding buildings"; "Establishing standards to which buildings or 57-0-07 structures shall conform"; "Prohibiting uses, buildings, or structures that are • incompatible with the character of established zoning districts"; and "Encouraging the preservation and enhancement of natural resources, historic resources, natural features, and aesthetic amenities in the City;" and WHEREAS, the City adopted a Comprehensive General Plan in 2000 which, among other things, adopted certain "Values and Goals", including: "Neighborhood assets should be enhanced while recognizing that each neighborhood contributes to the overall social and economic quality of Evanston"; "Promote activities that help strengthen communities and improve neighborhood quality of life"; "Evanston's housing stock should continue to offer buyers and renters a desirable range of choice in terms of style and price"; "Buildings and landscaping should be of attractive, interesting and compatible design"; and "The • historic heritage of Evanston should continue to be identified and preserved for the benefit of current and future residents;" and WHEREAS, the 2000 Comprehensive General Plan provided for implementation of its "Values and Goals" by "Objectives" and "Policies/Actions"; and WHEREAS, among the several "Objectives" were "Make quality design a priority for the construction and maintenance of all property"; "Continue to identify historic resources in Evanston"; "Promote Evanston's reputation as a community where historic preservation is a vital part of the community's identity"; "Address concerns about cost and affordability"; "Address high property tax • concerns"; "Preserve Evanston's historic residential architecture and ambience"; —2— 57-C-07 • "Maintain the appealing character of Evanston's neighborhoods while guiding their change"; "Recognize the effect of housing on the quality of neighborhoods"; and "Maintain and enhance property values and positive perceptions of housing in Evanston"; and WHEREAS, among the "Policies/Actions" to implement the 2000 Comprehensive General Plan were "Encourage evaluation of structures, sites, areas, and neighborhoods for their historical and cultural significance"; "Increase recognition of historic preservation issues beyond architecture, including lakefront preservation, preservation of open space, cultural history, personal history of individuals, important events, sites associated with important events or individuals, and societal trends"; "Continue to connect City officials with residents • to address issues identified as adversely affecting neighborhood quality of life"; "Continue assisting neighborhoods to recognize and preserve their own historically significant assets"; "Encourage high quality design and a heightened sensitivity toward appearance in proposed developments through the Site Plan and Appearance Review Committee"; "Encourage collaboration among neighborhood stakeholders (e.g., property owners, residents, businesses, and institutions) and City staff to improve housing conditions that are negatively impacting surrounding property values"; "Preserve neighborhood character while supporting redevelopment efforts that add to neighborhood desirability"; "Encourage creative adaptive reuse of properties available for redevelopment • using zoning standards and the Site Plan and Appearance Review process to —3— 57-0-07 protect historic character"; and "Encourage the preservation and creation of • neighborhood open and green space"; and WHEREAS, there has been substantial interest in new development on in the downtown area, shown on the map attached hereto as Exhibit A and made a part hereof ("Moratorium Area"), and bounded by the following streets: (i) to the west by Oak Avenue from Lake Street to Grove Street, by Ridge Avenue from Grove Street to Emerson Street, including the viaducts in the northwest until the intersection of Green Bay Road and Emerson Street; (ii) to the north by Emerson Street from the intersection of Green Bay Road and Emerson Street to Benson Avenue, by University Place from Benson Avenue to Sherman Avenue, and by Elgin Road/Clark Street to the alley immediately east of Chicago Avenue; (iii) to the east by the north- • south alley between Chicago Avenue and Hinman Avenue, by Church Street from said alley to Hinman Avenue, and by Hinman Avenue from Church Street to Lake Street; (iv) and to the south by Lake Street to Oak Avenue. WHEREAS, a reference has been made by the City Council to the Plan Commission for rezoning of some of the parcels located in this area; and WHEREAS, the City Council approved the hiring of a consultant at its meeting of May 14, 2007 to provide consulting services for planning in the Moratorium Area, including a revised downtown plan, zoning recommendations, a real estate market study, a parking utilization study, and a pilot study for form - based coding on selected blocks; and • WHEREAS, the consultant must study the issues presented and -4- 57-0-07 • then prepare a report addressing land use and appropriate development planning issues for consideration by the Plan Commission; and WHEREAS, the consultant is to submit the report to the City by October 31, 2007; and WHEREAS, the Plan Commission must review the consultant's report, conduct a public hearing, and prepare its own report for consideration by the City Council; and WHEREAS, construction of buildings is, generally, irreversible; and WHEREAS, a moratorium during the City's review of possible re- zoning in the Moratorium Area is necessary to prevent construction which may be inconsistent with any revised zoning regulations; and • WHEREAS, the Planning and Development Committee considered this Ordinance at its meeting of May 29, 2007, and recommended City Council approval thereof; and WHEREAS, at its June 11, 2007 meeting, the City Council considered and adopted the record and recommendation of the Planning and Development Committee, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EVANSTON, COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS: SECTION 1: That the foregoing recitals are found as fact and made a part hereof. • SECTION 2: That, in response to the need to consider appropriate planning, design, and other issues with possible recommendation -5- 57-0-07 for related amendments to the Zoning Ordinance regarding properties located in the Moratorium Area, a one hundred eighty (180) -day moratorium, expiring December 9, 2007, is established and declared on the application for and/or approval or issuance of all subdivision plats, re -zonings, special uses, planned developments, variations, and building permits for construction projects in the Moratorium Area. SECTION 3: The City Council may, upon finding that continuation of the moratorium for further study beyond the one hundred eighty (180) -day moratorium authorized hereby would serve the public health, welfare, and safety, provide by ordinance(s) for extension(s) thereof. SECTION 4: This Ordinance shall not apply in the following circumstances: a) to a perfected building permit application for new construction, rehabilitation, or repair which is on file with the City on or prior to the effective date of this Ordinance; b) to an application for zoning analysis filed for any planned development applications filed prior to the adoption of this Ordinance. SECTION 5: That the Plan Commission, Preservation Commission, and other appropriate City bodies are hereby authorized and directed to study and review concerns about Zoning District regulations and other building and land use regulations in the Moratorium Area, as expressed in this Ordinance, and to make any recommendations they may have for amendments to such regulations and related provisions of the City Code to the City Council. Said bodies shall conduct their study and review with regard for the purposes and intents of the Zoning Ordinance and the "Values and Goals", "Objectives", • • • H —6— 57-0-07 is • .7 and "Policies/Actions" of the 2000 Comprehensive General Plan, all as expressed in this Ordinance. SECTION 6: That the City Manager is hereby directed to enforce the moratorium provided for in this Ordinance during its period of effectiveness in accordance with the terms of this Ordinance. SECTION 7: If any provision of this Ordinance, or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or applications of this Ordinance which can be given effect without the invalid provisions or applications thereof. SECTION 8: All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed. SECTION 9: This Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon its passage, due to the urgency of implementing a moratorium as aforedescribed to prevent inconsistent and incompatible development. Introduced: 2 1 , 2007 Approved: Adopted: ` �s,2�r�- i , 2007 , 2007 �orraine H. Morton, Mayor Attest: Mary P. o�r�s City Clerk Appr f d as to for F Corporionounsel —7— 57-0-07 EXHIBIT A Proposed Downtown Moratorium 1z q'f r --7 fl[ J, 71L V" Q ", H t ,\2 i ] Z [VT oratoriurn Area N 77 - 111 -F `J Building Footpint i Tax Parcel N, 0 `7 L VXr �7 J7 -I Tr J C. L7 7- 500 1,000 Feet City of raeuarr��t sr 0, F Evanston LIZ, ,j r �\H� M�77 F d — 5:M07 Thisma:, is -,roVdid 'as:s" witiout warrant is of any k id. See fc-r mors informalon, .7 a-1Z