Zoning Board of Appeals — Skokie, IL
Date: 2022-03-16

STAFF REPORT 2022-01Z: Variation
Community Development Department Council Chambers, 7:30 PM, March 16, 2022


To: Brian O’Donnell, Chairman, Zoning Board of Appeals
From: Brian J. Augustine, Building & Zoning Division Manager
Re: 4225 Lyons Street – Front Yard


 General Information
 Location 4225 Lyons Street
 Request Variation in order to construct a second-floor addition resulting
 in the continuation of the 24.35-foot front yard.
 Zoning Requirement 25-foot minimum 118-124(5)
 Petitioner Majeed and Ruba Maatouk
 Existing Zoning & R1 Single-Family – Detached residence
 Land Use
 North R1 Single-Family – Detached residences
 South R1 Single-Family – Detached residences
 East R1 Single-Family – Detached residence
 West R1 Single-Family – Detached residence
 Assigned to Elaine Jacobson

SITE INFORMATION
  Detached residence constructed in 1955.


PETITIONER’S SUBMITTAL
The petitioner is requesting a variation in order to construct a second-floor addition
resulting in the continuation of the existing 24.35-foot front yard.


APPEARANCE COMMISSION
The petitioner’s request was approved by the Appearance Commission on December 8,
2021.




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STAFF ANALYSIS
Staff Comment and Review sheets were sent to all pertinent departments. The
Community Development Department and Forestry Division were the only
department/divisions to comment.

Forestry Division

The Forestry Division has no objections to the petitioner’s request. Tree protection is
required in accordance with Village standards.

Community Development Department

The Community Development Department has no objections to the petitioner’s request.
The building was constructed in 1955 in its current location. The proposed addition
continues the existing non-conforming front setback. The existing building is only
about 8 inches into the existing front yard.

Staff feels the petitioner’s request is the minimum variance necessary to allow
reasonable use of the property. The proposed addition will not negatively impact
surrounding properties.


STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Based on the proposed Findings of Fact, Staff recommends that the petitioner’s request
to construct a second-floor addition be granted.

ATTACHMENTS
1. Proposed Findings of Fact




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Proposed Findings of Fact 2022-01Z: Variation
Community Development Department Council Chambers, 7:30 PM, March 16, 2022


 1 Consideration Limitation on the use of the property due to physical, topographical, and
 geologic features.
 Finding There are no limitations on the property due to physical, topographical or
 geologic features.
 2 Consideration The applicant can demonstrate that without a variance there can be no
 reasonable use of the property.
 Finding Staff feels the applicant can most likely can have a reasonable use of the
 property without a variation.
 3 Consideration The granting of the variance is not based solely on economic reasons.
 Finding The variance request appears to be based on the desire to construct a
 second floor addition in line with the existing 1st floor.
 4 Consideration The necessity for the variance was not created by the property owner.
 Finding Staff feels the necessity for the variance is clearly not being created by the
 owner. The building was constructed in its current location.
 5 Consideration The variance requested is the minimum variance necessary to allow
 reasonable use of the property.
 Finding Staff feels the variance requested is the minimum necessary to allow for
 reasonable use of the property. The addition is about 8 inches into the
 required front yard.
 6 Consideration The granting of the variance will not be injurious to the public health,
 safety, or welfare.
 Finding Staff feels the granting of the variance should not be injurious to public
 health, safety or welfare.
 7 Consideration The property subject to the variance request possesses one or more unique
 characteristics generally not applicable to similarly situated properties

 Finding The building was constructed in its current location. The owner is only
 asking to continue the existing non-conforming setback, which is about 8
 inches into the required front yard.




596223 v1 Staff Report 2022-01Z