Evanston Land Use Commission grants continuance for 2737 Highland Avenue zoning variation to Jan. 14
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Summary
The Land Use Commission granted a continuance for an application at 2737 Highland Ave, which seeks variances to allow a concrete driveway and open off‑street parking in an R‑1 district. The applicant’s attorney said the owner — who uses a wheelchair — is abroad; staff supported delay to allow responses to extensive comments.
Chair Puck To opened the Nov. 12 Land Use Commission hearing and moved new business forward after staff flagged a continuance request for 2737 Highland Avenue.
City planning staff read the application: Birchwood Law LLC, representing the property owner, seeks major variations from the Evanston zoning ordinance to allow an on‑site concrete driveway and an open off‑street parking space in the front yard of an R‑1 district, citing departures from sections 6‑8‑2‑12 and 6‑4‑6‑3 (Table 4a). Jeremiah, city planning staff, told the commission it is the determining body for this application under section 6‑3‑6‑3‑8 of the Evanston zoning ordinance.
Katerina Kerrick, attorney for the applicant, asked the commission to continue the hearing to the Jan. 14, 2026 meeting because the property owner — who she said “is wheelchair bound” — is currently out of the country and she and her team need time to address “extensive” staff comments with the client present. Jeremiah said staff supports that schedule so revisions can also be circulated to Public Works given impacts to the right‑of‑way.
Commissioner (speaker 4) moved to continue the case to the Jan. 14 meeting; a second was given and commissioners responded in the affirmative. Chair Puck To declared the motion passed and confirmed the case will be scheduled for Jan. 14, 2026.
The continuance does not change the nature of the application, which seeks a variance from the city’s on‑site parking rules that generally require off‑street parking be within 30 feet of a rear property line or alley. Staff and the applicant indicated the intervening period will be used to prepare revisions, coordinate with Public Works, and ensure the owner can attend in person.
The commission then returned to a full review of its draft rules and procedures. The Highland Avenue application remains pending and will be heard again on Jan. 14, 2026.