As expected, the citizens of Evanston were once again ignored at the March 3 meeting of Planning & Development. Feeling compelled to "finish what they started", the Aldermen essentially sold the zoning for 708 Church to the development team of Klutznick and Anderson. In a carefully scripted playbook, the Council got their way and gave away valuable zoning in exchange for nothing but empty promises.

The "short list" of items awarded to the development team included an additional 23 stories of height (based on existing zoning), the right to reduce the required parking by 120 spaces, the right to build only two loading berths instead of the required five, the right to triple the FAR (a measure of density) of the building to 15.14. It should be noted that the "actual" height of the building will be in excess of 400 feet due to approximately 20 feet of mechanicals and screening on top of the building.

In exchange, the development team will give the City a $1 million dollar payment to assist in re-designing Fountain Square after the building is constructed. The developers will also give the City a required contribution to affordable housing (also payable after the building is constructed). The developer also promised to strive for Silver LEED and will pay a penalty "to be determined" if they do not qualify. The developer reluctantly agreed to "streetscape improvements" on Orrington and Sherman from the development site to Fountain Square. We assume, this means a few planters or potted trees.

As usual, the taxpayers fail to get any substantial or quantifiable benefits as mandated in the Planned Development ordinance. While the 708 Church building will remain until (if?) the developer acquires financing, the developer will continue to control the leases in the building and has stated that they will lease space on a short-term basis (3-6 month leases) until they can proceed with the project. It is expected that the developer will periodically request re-assessment of the 708 building as tenants move out to reduce their tax burden, and therefore decrease the tax increment available to the city.

For the record, the Aldermen who publicly support the project are:

Wollin, Jean-Baptiste, Holmes, Moran, Rainey and Hansen.