There was a Land Use Commission Meeting on May 10, 2023 where Kensington School was proposed to the commission.

What was the meeting?

  • LUC is the Land Use Commission; a new commission formed in 2020 to review new project proposals in Evanston.
  • They make recommendations to the Evanston City Council.

What happened at the meeting?

  • Meeting was 5/10/23.
  • Well-attended by both UNS members and Evanston residents both for and against the Kensington School being built here.
  • There were many supportive comments and reactions from the LUC commissioners.
  • Ultimately the vote was 4-3 not in favor of building the Kensington school until some issues are resolved.
  • However, they also recommended that the project go before the city council for their determination.
  • City Development Planner Michael Griffith said this is progress.
  • The city’s position on the easement is that it’s a private issue between two parties.
  • The buyer has created a new site plan with an easement that works well for all parties.

What are our next steps?

  • The primary concern of commissioners and residents was the safety with increased traffic at the Central Street and Gross Point intersection.
  • Chuck Marlas, owner of Kensington School, is working on remedying this situation, as well as looking at existing information regarding safety at that intersection.
  • This will go before a sub-committee of the city council in early June.
  • Eventually the plan is for Kensington to submit their proposal to the city council who will make a decision whether or not to approve this proposal.

What does this mean for UNS?

  • We are excited and optimistic about the future of this project, given the positive reactions of the commissioners.
  • There continues to be many unknowns in this situation.
  • We anticipate hopefully closing on this sale and moving to a new property some time this year.
  • We will begin looking at available properties again after we know more from the city council.

What can you do?

  • Congregants, particularly those who are Evanston residents, are asked to write / call Alderman Suffredin sharing your thoughts and support on this project:
    • Address: Morton Civic Center, 2100 Ridge Ave., Evanston, IL 60201
    • Email: tsuffredin@cityofevanston.org
    • Phone: 847-859-7810

Further Information is available at the following links:

Right And Perfect Home
Right and Perfect Home