Equitable Zoning Reform Campaign
Goal 2: Encourage Housing Abundance
Strategy 1:
Permit Multi-Family Housing and Multi-Use Buildings in All Residential Zones
Permit Multi-Family Housing and Multi-Use Buildings in All Residential Zones
Evanston's zoning codes are currently focused on keeping its single- and two-family zones protected, making the cost of housing in those zones (R1 through R3) more expensive, and putting households at greater risk of unstable housing. This focus also preserves the segregation of the past and perpetuates racial and socio-economic inequities moving forward. It's important that the City of Evanston allow more types of housing in more areas of Evanston, which will:
- Give low-income households easier access to rental housing, as well as increase opportunities for lower-income households to own housing and build equity
- Encourage more developers to work in the city and introduce innovative housing designs
- Increase the access of members of lower-income households to quality schools, amenities, and services
- End the cycle of segregation that most modern zoning codes perpetuate
- Increase the number of households contributing to tax revenues by adding more multi-family housing
Zoning Recommendations
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Allow 2- to 4- unit buildings in all residential districts. |
Expand commercial-use zones where demand and opportunity are high. |
Allow for increased housing supply within and adjacent to Commercial and Mixed-Use areas. |
These recommendations are supported by: Equitable Zoning Recommendation 4, APA Guidance Permitted Use Policy 9, APA Guidance Permitted Use Policy 11, Evanston Mayor Biss Goal 3
