The stretch of Chicago Avenue that runs from Lee Street to South Boulevard in Evanston could be subject to zoning changes, according to Evanston Now. Alderman Melissa Wayne (3rd Ward) has requested the Evanston Plan Commission consider downzoning this part of Chicago Avenue.

The CTA Purple Line occupies one side of the street. About half of this stretch of the street has been used for new mixed-use and residential developments that have gone up in the past two decades, according to the report. A small sliver of Evanston’s Chicago Avenue is occupied by commercial developments. Evanston Now reports that approximately 30 percent of the Chicago Avenue area in question could be ripe for redevelopment. 

The Plan Commission’s possible changes include reduced height limits. The commission could also add the area to a neighboring lower-density zone, according to the report.

Downzoning could conflict with the growing trend of transit-oriented developments (TODs), which focus on high-density development located near major transportation hubs.

As of now, no new development plans for this part of Chicago Avenue have been announced, according to the report.