The Evanston Land Use Fee has given its unanimous help to a proposal for the renovation of the Masonic Temple, 1453 Maple Ave.
On Wednesday, Nov. 9, the fee voted 7-0 to advocate that Metropolis Council approve a plan to transform the inside of the long-vacant constructing into 30 rental housing models.
Architects Adam Breaux and Mike Myefski mentioned that builders had pledged “a light-weight contact on the inside” and no important adjustments to the landmarked exterior.
“It’s an essential cultural constructing within the neighborhood,” Breaux mentioned.
Some neighbors mentioned they had been involved concerning the elevated residential density as tenants transfer into the constructing, in addition to adjustments to the constructing’s character arising from inside modifications. Different neighbors, nevertheless, mentioned that they’d admire tenants occupying a long-vacant constructing.
A key concern for commissioners was entry to parking. Parking on the web site is nearly nonexistent. Breaux and developer Gary Stoltz mentioned they’ve dedicated to leasing 10 spots within the Vacation Inn parking zone a number of blocks east. However Commissioner Kristine Westerberg famous some residents could not want to undertake that stroll in dangerous climate.
Breaux asserted that the plans had been for a “walkable, bike-able and transit-oriented life-style.”
Stoltz added, “We’re open to any answer with parking.”
The fee’s advice finally stipulated that builders look into leasing 15 spots and report again to the town after two years what their parking wants turned out to be.
Commissioner Max Puchtel initially questioned the variety of models, suggesting that the constructing “appears awfully dense, with lots of models crammed all through the house.”
Viewers member Jack Weiss requested the fee to contemplate a smaller variety of models and depart the interiors extra intact. Not like the outside, the inside of the constructing just isn’t landmarked.
“We’re simply attempting to furnish models which might be just like the encircling market,” mentioned Breaux, who added that “the dimensions of those models are what’s being supplied elsewhere.”
The fee’s help got here with further stipulations: The builders should additionally display screen in mechanicals on the constructing’s roof and look right into a extra aesthetically pleasing different to a deliberate wheelchair raise on the constructing’s entrance. Moreover, tenants of the constructing is not going to be allowed to use for residential parking permits.
