Evanston City Council hires Code Studio for zoning rewrite

The Evanston City Council has authorized the hiring of Texas-based consulting firm Code Studio to lead a major rewrite of the city’s zoning code. This project represents the second phase of the Envision Evanston 2045 initiative, following the adoption of a comprehensive plan in January.

The contract, which is expected to cost just under $1 million, will be partially funded by remaining American Rescue Plan Act funds. The project aims to implement goals such as encouraging mixed-use zoning and increasing affordable housing while maintaining community character.

The decision follows a previous delay in July, during which councilmembers expressed concerns regarding the high cost of the proposal and the limited number of bidders. However, after direct meetings with the firm, councilmembers expressed increased confidence in Code Studio’s expertise in managing large-scale zoning updates. This new contract follows the earlier termination of a previous consultant, HDR, Inc., in early 2025.