City council revisits resolution concerning home kitchens

Kayne Pyatt Herald reporter
Posted 10/6/22

DuWayne Jacobsen, city senior planner, addressed the Evanston City Council for the second reading of the resolution that would amend the City Code to allow more than one kitchen in a dwelling unit.

“Since there were questions last time concerning the wording, I have given you a copy of alternative revised definitions highlighted in yellow,” Jacobsen said. “The one we gave you at the first reading are printed above the ones highlighted in yellow. We are attempting to simplify the wording of the definitions to answer your concerns.”

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City council revisits resolution concerning home kitchens

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DuWayne Jacobsen, city senior planner, addressed the Evanston City Council for the second reading of the resolution that would amend the City Code to allow more than one kitchen in a dwelling unit.
“Since there were questions last time concerning the wording, I have given you a copy of alternative revised definitions highlighted in yellow,” Jacobsen said. “The one we gave you at the first reading are printed above the ones highlighted in yellow. We are attempting to simplify the wording of the definitions to answer your concerns.”
The proposal reads: “The following definition changes would permit additional kitchens in a dwelling unit without increasing densities in residential neighborhoods.”
The new proposed definition for dwelling unit is the same as the original with only an addition on the end (in italics) and reads as follows:
“Dwelling Unit — One or more rooms in a dwelling or portion thereof, used and designed and intended to be used for occupancy by one family or group living together as a single unit as described in Section 24-17 of the Evanston City Code, including permanent provisions for living, (cooking and eating deleted here) sleeping, sanitation, and containing one or more kitchens.”
The definition for kitchen is completely different from the original in the City Code and simplifies the working.  The new proposed definition for kitchen reads as follows:
“Kitchen — That portion of a dwelling unit devoted to the cooking or preparation of food for the purpose of consumption by residents of the dwelling unit. The presence within any food preparation area of a ventilation hood, gas stub, 220-volt electrical outlet or wiring, or any combination thereof together with a refrigerator and a sink, shall be considered a kitchen.  The term shall include a kitchenette, wet bar or similar area equipped with a means to cook or prepare food.

“I got rid of a lot of the language that included hot plates, microwaves, and such that was in the first reading,” Jacobsen said.
Jacobsen explained that the new proposed definitions being considered are not intended to increase present density requirements in residential districts by allowing the construction or addition of an accessory dwelling unit.”
Mayor Williams asked city attorney Dennis Boal how they should vote on the resolution now that changes had been made from the first reading.  Boal said they could vote on the resolution as it was at the first reading.
Before the next regular meeting he would prepare an amendment with the changes and the council could vote on it and then vote on the amended resolution for a third and final reading.
The Council then approved the resolution on allowing more than one kitchen in a dwelling unit on its second reading.
Mieke Madrid, grant writer and community relations coordinator, addressed the council on three consent items which will bring an economic benefit to the community.  The council approved all three, which are as follows:
An open container and street closure permit was granted to Downtown Evanston Promotions/Kate’s for the 4th annual fall Main Street Bash to be held on Saturday, Oct. 8, on Main Street from 9th Street to Harrison Drive, from noon to midnight.
Open container permit was granted to Downtown Evanston Promotions for the annual Hunter’ Widows Night Out on Main Street from 7th Street to Harrison Drive; 10th Street and 7th Street from Front Street to Main Street, on Thursday, Oct. 20, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
A street closure permit was granted to Downtown Evanston Promotions for the annual trick-or-treating on Friday, Oct. 31st, on Main Street from 7th Street to Harrison, from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm.
The last item of business was a request from Public Works Director Gordon Robinson for the council to approve a motion to accept the low bid of $60,000 from Greiner Schmidt Motors of Casper for the purchase of a 2022 or 2023, 250/2500 ¾ ton crew cab 4 WD long wheelbase pickup with flip-top service body.
“This is for a service truck for the water distribution department and they are expensive.  I know this is a little over budget and the last pickup we purchased was $47,000 but who knows how much higher the price will be next year?” Robinson said.
The council approved the acceptance of the low bid and the purchase of the truck from Greiner Schmidt Motors.