A Rich Heritage of Community… since 1863

Citizens for Appropriate Growth in Evanston is focused on preserving neighborhood character, protecting community stability, and ensuring growth is appropriate for existing Evanston residents.

Research

CAGE produces evidence-based analysis of zoning, density, housing supply, neighborhood character, parking availability, and other community impacts. Our research team is finalizing a longitudinal study of existing residents and their preferred number of new residents.

Our last report, Characters in the Neighborhood™, examined the relationship between development and the continued presence of people who arrived before the current proposal was submitted. Specifically, our analysis prioritized the perspectives of residents with the deepest demonstrated commitment to Evanston, as measured through years of homeownership, property tax payment (exclusive of senior exemptions), and proximity to the proposed development. Our patented stakeholder weighting metric increased proportionally with both tenure of residence and likelihood of observing the proposed development from a privately owned property.

Key Finding: Using a mixed-methods approach, researchers found a statistically significant relationship between length of residency and the belief that Evanston reached optimal population levels shortly thereafter. Results suggest that Evanston's ideal population level is remarkably stable, having been reached shortly after the arrival of nearly every survey participant.

Action

CAGE amplifies housing-related hearings, community meetings, and opportunities for residents to make their voices heard. We’re focused on Evanston’s Putting Assets to Work campaign and Evanston’s Land Use Commission (LUC).

We’re also acting on our growing alarm at the approval of tall, “transit-oriented” developments through our Airflow Resilience Project™. This project will prepare residents for potential exposure to dangerous levels of amplified natural occurring airflow (“wind”) that can occur around tall buildings. Through a partnership with a national university, scientists are testing various personal protective equipment options such as wind-resistant cardigans, reinforced travel mug retention devices, and military grade pacifiers for infants. We will test prototypes at Davis and Chicago Avenue in late 2027.