Pritzker Wins Approval for Second Evanston B&B

Monday night was a good night for Col. J.N. Pritzker as the Evanston City Council voted to allow the scion of the Hyatt Hotel fortune a special use permit for a bed and breakfast at 1622 Forest Place. The action paves the way for a second Pritzker-controlled B&B on the same block.

The council voted 7-2 for Pritzker’s company, Patriot Park LLC, to renovate the three story home, that was designated a landmark and sits inside Evanston’s Lakeshore Historic District, into a B&B. This came over the objections of many people who for months argued two such enterprises within a few feet of one another is too dense for the lakefront neighborhood. Pritzker already has another B&B under construction at 300 Church Street. In April, the ZBA did not recommend the proposal on a 4-2 vote, but the Evanston Preservation Commission unanimously supported the idea.

"I am glad that it passed,” Pritzker said in a statement. “I look forward to a productive relationship with our guests and with the City of Evanston."

Among the backers for the B&B was 8th Ward Alderman Ann Rainey who was serving as Mayor Pro Tem Monday (Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl was absent).  “I love B&Bs,” Rainey said. “I think it is going to be fabulous for the renovation of the property.”

Rainey said she had tremendous respect for Pritzker and the people at his companies and believes enterprises such as these create a better environment for the area that sits close to Sheridan Road. “I want the lakefront and that community more open, I don’t want it closed,” she said.

But First Ward Alderman Judy Fiske, one of the council’s two dissenting votes, argued the commercial aspect of the property will take away some of the appeal from families thinking about moving into the area. “It’s the absence of permanent neighbors, the loss of a feeling of a shared community, noise, parking and special events,” she said. “Two B&Bs, one door apart on a block that has only six houses is just wrong.”

Third Ward Alderman Melissa Wynne echoed that same sentiment. “It’s really important that we let our homeowners know that their residential blocks that they buy on will remain family-centered residential neighborhoods.”

The specifics of the plan call for the existing three story home on the 22,428 square foot property to be renovated in anticipation of a B&B with five guest rooms. Some of the changes promised for the home include an elevator and a stone terrace. The existing coach house will be razed and a similar structure will be put in its place that will feature parking.

Another of the council supporters for granting the special use permit was 6th Ward Alderman Mark Tendam, who earlier this year received a $1,000 campaign contribution from Pritzker.

But Tendam denied any conflict of interest.

“I always supported the premise of the B&B and I have been pretty active in defeating all the constraints the residents want to put on the B&B ordinance,” he said. “I think I am consistent in my vote.”

But that did not satisfy all residents. “They are going against their own zoning codes and there is an appearance of impropriety when you have people donating,” noted Nick Agnew.

Both Agnew and Clare Kelly raised the question of the Tendam donation during the meeting and Rainey suggested they take that matter up with the city’s Board of Ethics.

But Kelly was also concerned about the amount of property Pritzker is now controlling in Evanston.

Using the analogy of the 1946 movie classic It’s a Wonderful Life, “Like Pottersville, this is becoming Pritzkerville. This really isn’t good for our city and our sense of the community.”

Those feelings are likely to grow more intense throughout the community as Pritzker’s was the final bidder for the city-owned Harley-Clarke mansion that has fallen into disrepair. His representatives recently told Patch they would be willing to spend $22 million to renovate the property on 2603 Sheridan Road and make it into a boutique hotel. It is not clear at this how the city will proceed with the bid, but opponents have made their voice known through petitions and speaking out at Monday’s meeting, even though the matter was not on the agenda.