Evanston City Council Roundup: Dangerous Dog Ordinance Passes

Missed the Evanston City Council meeting on Monday? Patch has you covered.

Dangerous Dog Ordinance Amendment Passes Unanimously: Animals determined to be dangerous by the police chief now face harsher penalties. Citizens have previously expressed concerns in city meetings that the current ordinance isn't being enforced. At the July 6 Human Services Committee meeting, Police Chief Richard Eddington said in the previous year, only one dog had been designated "dangerous" by the animal warden, despite reports of more than a hundred bites by different dogs.

Alderman Judy Fiske (1st Ward) introduced to floor amendments to ordinance 52-O-11 that allow for due process for a pet owner. The first will allow a "dangerous" animals' owner to have the dog examined at their own expense by a behaviorist. Alderman Coleen Burrus (9th Ward) asked for a time frame to be attached to the first amendment, and two weeks, or 10 working days, was the final determination.

The second floor amendment Fiske proposed would allow an animal owner to appeal a designation by the police chief to the circuit court. Alderman Ann Rainey (8th Ward) said she wasn't sure how that appeal process would work, or why the police chief is the one making the "dangerous" designation, but that she would "vote for it so we can get it moving, but I think the process is flawed." The council also remarked the Human Services Committee is now looking at an ordinance to place harsher penalties on the dog owners themselves.

List of Violations Draws Ire of Landlords and Property Owners: A list of 52 rental dwellings under investigation for occupancy violations drew heated comments from landlords and property owners who said they were never notified of the complaints, some of which are from 2009 or before.

Complaints mostly stem from the so-called an ordinance that forbids three or more unrelated people from living together without a license obtained from the city. Building code and zoning violations make up the bulk of the violations on the list.

After the public expressed concern that the list had been posted without inspections, verification and notice to the landlords or owners, Alderman Donald Wilson (4th Ward) said the list would be taken down from the city's website for the time being, but the ordinance would be revisited and he expects "input from the community and landlords" on the issue.

During the Planning and Development Committee meeting, the council wanted to make it clear that the proposed ordinance (38-O-11: Licensing of Rental Dwelling Units) being discussed is a citywide issue, not confined to the Northwestern University campus area. Alderman Delores Holmes (5th Ward) said the committee "never thought of this as just a Northwestern issue." 

Central Street Development OKed: Despite concerns expressed by at least five people, mostly neighbors to the proposed development on 1700-1722 Central Street, the city council approved 7-1 ordinance 80-O-11 to amend the previous ordinance for the development. Neighbors said the plan is drastically different than what was originally approved, including changes to parking, building materials and residency on the first floor. The citizens urged the council to send the ordinance back to the planning and development commission for a full evaluation, but Alderman Jane Grover (7th Ward) said that previously voiced public concerns have been incorporated into the amended ordinance.

Fiske said she is looking "forward to something on that site too, but maybe something a bit better than what is being proposed." Fiske was the lone "No" vote for the ordinance. Additionally, Holmes asked developer Bob Horn to ensure safety if materials are cut on- or off-site, especially high-density fiberboard, known as hardboard. Citizens had issues with this material being used, which was not part of the original proposed facade of the building.

In addition: 

• The city council approved the installation of an I-Go solar canopy and electric vehicle charging station at parking lot 3, which will also be available for public use.
• Township Assessor Bonnie Wilson said appeals of assessments are now open until Oct. 24.
• Free holiday parking was approved at the three downtown self-park garages and Lot 60 for weekdays from 5 p.m. to midnight, as well as all day Saturday. The free parking will begin Nov. 24.