1979 Debates Re. Ordinance

Only a few days after the 1978 Illinois Supreme Court Decision which upheld the constitutionality of the Evanston zoning code, the City and NU were at odds again about the U2 ordinance.

For newspaper articles from that time period see:

• 1979-1980 Communications Re. Proposed U2 Uses

Below is the letter where NU makes a veiled threat of legal action against the City [this letter is the one referred to in the City's Memo (January 9, 1979) as "University Action 12-12-78"].

Nu states: "The uncertainty created by the present ordinance has led to an intolerable situation. ...we are advised by counsel that further legal recourse is possible ....The two or three additional years of administrative and court proceedings involved in having the ordinance declared unconstitutional....."

The January 9, 1979 Interdepartmental Memorandum with the subject: Status summary for ZAC 15:10-3-74 (university districts), lists the following actions:

• City action on 12/11/1978

At the Council meeting on 12/11/78 Mayor Lytle requested your Committee to further consider regulating the uses of Dyche Stadium and McGaw Hall, based on the type of use rather than the user itself.

• University Action 12-12-78

Mr Lee A. Ellis, V.P. for business and finance at Northwestern University sent a letter to Mayor Lytle concerning this matter. Copies of this letter were distributed at your meeting on January 4, 1979."

The quoted letter (December 12, 1978) is the one shown above.

Below is the January 30, 1979 letter from William Dettmer to NU' senior Vice-President of Business and Finance, Lee Ellis, regarding the use of Dyche Stadium for the practice sessions of the Bears football team.

Other documentation regarding the new ordinance:

• 1979-1980 Communications Re. Proposed U2 Uses
• 1982 Citizens Zoning Committee of Evanston

Below is the June 1, 1979 letter from NU to ZAC chairman, Betty Harper.

The letter includes the December 12, 1978 letter to Mayor Lytle.