Evanston City Council Summary
Week of October 7, 2026
City council advances twin homes subdivision despite resident backlash
City approves $342,000 upgrade for golf course irrigation system
Council advances ordinance allowing goats for property weed control
Downtown trick-or-treating officially scheduled for Friday afternoon
City council advances twin homes subdivision despite resident backlash
EVANSTON, Wyo. — The Evanston City Council passed the second reading of Ordinance 2606 for the Chaparral Estates subdivision by a 4-1 vote Tuesday, despite significant opposition from neighboring residents. The development by Quality General Contractors, LLC proposes 40 twin homes across 20 lots near Elliot and Lupine drives. Dozens of residents signed a petition opposing the project, citing concerns over emergency access, heavy construction traffic, street parking and the preservation of single-family property values. City staff determined that the developer's plans comply with the city's 30-year-old zoning laws, making a legal denial difficult. Council member Jennie Hegeman cast the lone dissenting vote, as officials urged the neighborhood to open a dialogue directly with the developer before the ordinance's third and final reading.
City approves $342,000 upgrade for golf course irrigation system
EVANSTON, Wyo. — The city council unanimously approved a contract with Turf Equipment & Irrigation for an estimated $342,324 to install new Toro golf irrigation controllers at the city-owned Purple Sage Golf Course. Parks and recreation director Kim Larson said the new radio, satellite and GPS-controlled system will replace an obsolete, 25-year-old residential-style system, drastically conserving water by allowing individualized control of the course's 1,500 sprinklers. The cost was previously allocated in the city budget, and course personnel are expected to save the city approximately $37,000 by installing the controllers internally late this winter or early next spring, according to city estimates.
Council advances ordinance allowing goats for property weed control
EVANSTON, Wyo. — Residents may soon be legally permitted to use goats to clear weeds and noxious vegetation on their properties, following the city council's unanimous approval of the first reading of Ordinance 2607. The ordinance establishes a permit process for the temporary, prescribed grazing of goats to mitigate fire fuels. Under the proposed rules, goats would be allowed on lots smaller than two acres for up to 14 days, while property owners with parcels over two acres could apply for an extended grazing period of up to 30 days. A companion measure, Ordinance 2608, also passed its first reading unanimously and would amend city code to conditionally permit the use of electric fences exclusively for the temporary confinement of grazing goats used for weed control. Both ordinances require two additional readings before becoming law.
Downtown trick-or-treating officially scheduled for Friday afternoon
EVANSTON, Wyo. — Downtown Evanston trick-or-treating will take place Friday, Oct. 30, from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. The city council confirmed the schedule as part of its consent agenda approval Tuesday. Officials encouraged downtown businesses and residents to stock up on candy to prepare for the adjusted schedule.
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