As Evanstonians prepare for Northwestern University’s Ryan Field proposal to make its way through the city’s legislative process, Land Use Commission Chair Matt Rodgers gives advice on crafting an effective public comment.
Ryan Field’s text amendment to allow concerts in a U2 zoning code and the stadium’s special use permit will go before the Land Use Commission prior to reaching City Council, Rodgers said at the June 27 Ryan Field Community Meeting. The commission will gather resident sentiments during a public hearing and assess feedback to give a recommendation to City Council.
The U2 zoning code is a university athletic facilities district, according to the proposal’s zoning analysis application.
Rodgers advised residents to steer away from making general statements but rather point to specific topics. He said this approach will help the commission determine if the project meets the criteria required for the text amendment and special use permit.
Commissioners will make their recommendation on the text amendment based on four standards. Rodgers said points of contention include how the proposal fits in Evanston’s comprehensive plan, the immediate neighborhood’s character, its adverse impact on adjacent properties and its implications with public infrastructure.
The commission will evaluate the special use permit on nine standards, Rodgers says. These items include, but are not limited to, environmental implications, traffic congestion, historical preservation, comprehensive plan implications and public infrastructure implications.
Keeping these points of contention in mind will help residents voice concerns the commission can address and not waste time by bringing up issues outside its purview, Rodgers said.
“There are certain things we have no control over,” Rodgers said. “I know Northwestern doesn’t pay property taxes. I can’t change that. Coming and making an argument that Northwestern should pay property taxes is not something we can even consider.”
Rodgers said residents will be limited to a couple of sentences when giving live, in-person comments due to the amount of interest the proposal is receiving. He said it can be difficult to include everything in a short amount of time so Rodgers recommends sending written feedback to commissioners and city officials prior to the meeting.
“My suggestion is (to) submit (your comment) in writing beforehand,” Rodgers said. “We do read those so your comment will be made. You can also come to the meeting to make simple comments like ‘I’m in favor of this’ (or) ‘I’m opposed to this’ and here is a two-sentence reason as to why.”
Written public comments can be emailed to publiccomment@cityofevanston.org.
Northwestern’s presentation to the Land Use Commission will be limited to 30 minutes, Rodgers said. Rodgers said his position as the commission’s chair allows him to limit the university’s presentation time.
The official dates for Ryan Field to go before the Land Use Commission, City Council and Planning and Development Committee have yet to be scheduled, the city’s website states.
Although not scheduled, the proposal is tentatively planned to go before the Land Use Commission on Aug. 9, according to the city website’s proposed projects page. While commissioners will take separate votes for the text amendment and special use permit, Rodgers says the two items will be heard at the same time.
Northwestern’s proposal is expected to be introduced to City Council and the Planning and Development Committee on Sept. 11, according to the website, with City Council possibly taking action on Sept. 25.
Evanston residents and activist organizations, like the Most Livable City Association, have already brought forth concerns regarding Ryan Field’s impact on the immediate neighborhood and traffic congestion. If residents support claims that the Ryan Field proposal doesn’t meet the standards Rodgers described, he says it could derail Northwestern’s quest for a stadium rebuild.
“If we find one standard is not met, we have to recommend denial,” Rodgers said.
Corey Schmidt is a freelance reporter with Pioneer Press.
