Plan Commission — Skokie, IL
Date: 2024-11-07

APPROVED: 11/21/2024


 Plan Commission Meeting Minutes
 Date: November 7, 2024
 Skokie Village Hall, 5127 Oakton Street, Council Chambers


PLAN COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT: Paul Luke - Chair
 Jeff Burman, Vice-Chair,
 Sigalle Shpayher, Scott Berman,
 Erica Crohn-Minchella Cindy Franklin,
 Vijai Gupta, and Ross Mathee


PLAN COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT: Tali Gevaryahu


STAFF PRESENT: Tyler Kobylski, Asst Corp. Counsel,
 Kate Portillo, Planning Manager,
 Mike Voitik, Planning Coordinator, and
 Marlene Bargamian, Admin Asst


(I) CALL TO ORDER
 A quorum being present, Chair Luke called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM.

 As Johanna Nyden, Community Development Director, was not present, Kate
 Portillo, Planning Manager was acting as staff liaison.

(II) APPROVAL OF MINUTES
 A motion to approve the minutes of the September 19, 2024 meeting was made
 by Commissioner Scott Berman and seconded by Commissioner Jeff Burman.

 Ayes: Unanimous voice vote. The motion passes.

(III) RULING ON NOTICE
 Assistant Corporation Counsel Kobylski determined that notice was proper and
 correct.

(IV) CASE DESCRIPTIONS

 Case 2024-35P – Site Plan Approval: 9300-9310 and 9440 Kenton Avenue
 Trustees of Schools Township 41 North Range 13, on behalf of School District
 #68, requests site plan approval in order to construct an addition to Old Orchard
 Junior High School that will serve as the new location of the Early Learning
 Center for Skokie School District 68, along with new drop and pick up lanes on

# 623107 Plan Commission meeting minutes November 7, 2024
 APPROVED: 11/21/2024


 the east and west sides of the addition, stormwater detention, and reconfigured
 surface parking lots in an R1 Single-Family zoning district, and any relief that
 may be discovered during the review of this case.
 PINs: 10-15-116-014-0000 and 10-15-116-015-0000

 Mr. Scott Kuehn, architect from STR Partners, presented the case. He introduced
 Mr. Steve Gregory, civil and landscape engineer, and Dr. Scott Grens,
 Superintendent of School District 68 who were available to answer any questions
 from the commissioners.

 The school population at the existing early learning center within Old Orchard
 Junior High School has increased and is above capacity. In order to meet current
 and future needs, they are proposing a 1-story addition at the north end of the
 building. The addition will be comprised of 7 new classrooms; 5 of which will be
 returned for use by the junior high students (STEM/Make-It Lab, multipurpose
 room, admin & teacher services space and a common area for collaborative
 learning). Other site improvements will be a new playground for the new Early
 Learning Center, stormwater management, site lighting and reconfigured parking.

 As there are no changes to the use of the site, minimal changes to the traffic
 patterns are contemplated. There will be an increase in parking spaces with
 separate drop-off areas for private vehicles and buses on the west side for the
 junior high school and a separate main entrance on the east side for drop off &
 pick-up for the early learning center.

 An audio problem at the podium was discovered that needed attention. A short
 recess was called at 7:38 pm to resolve the issue. Back on the record at 7:40 pm
 and Mr. Kuehn was asked to repeat his presentation.

 Scott Berman questioned if the addition would negatively affect the number of
 parking spaces. To the contrary, there will be an increase of 8 parking lot spaces
 north of the admin building. There will also be an increase in bike parking racks
 near the front entrance of the junior high school building.

 Mike Voitik, Planning Coordinator, requested the staff report be accepted into the
 record as written. Staff is supportive of the project and reviewed their
 recommendations and positive findings of fact. Ordinance 18-10-Z-4414 from a
 past site plan approval case regarding the installation of ground signs will be
 repealed with pertinent conditions and drawings carried over to a new ordinance.

 In their written comments, Forestry is requesting the applicant consider planting
 additional shade trees in various areas; 5 shade trees along the north side of the
 addition; 3 trees on the west side of the new playground; and along the west side
 of the Old Orchard Junior High building.

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 APPROVED: 11/21/2024


 Scott Berman asked about stormwater detention. For this project, the stormwater
 detention will be located under the new parking lot.

 In closing, the petitioner believes that the project will have a positive impact on
 the neighborhood and be a resource for the community. Dr. Grens stated they
 will consider the additional plantings and Mr. Gregory added that they will work
 with staff on best locations for the trees.

 Kate Portillo added that there were no public comments received.

(V) RECOMMENDATIONS AND VOTING
 Case 2024-35P
 A motion was made to approve the request for site plan approval in order to
 construct an addition to Old Orchard Junior High School that will serve as the
 new location of the Early Learning Center for Skokie School District 68.

 Motion: J. Burman Second: C. Franklin

 Ayes: 8
 Nays: 0


(VI) ITEMS FOR COMMUNICATION
 The next Plan Commission meeting will be held on Thursday, November 21,
 2024 at 7:30 pm.

(VII) ADJOURNMENT
 Chair Luke adjourned the meeting at 8:06 PM.

 Respectfully submitted,
 Marlene Bargamian,
 Administrative Asst.




# 623107 Plan Commission meeting minutes November 7, 2024