Plan Commission — Skokie, IL
Date: 2024-06-06

Meeting Agenda
 Plan Commission Meeting
 Thursday, June 6, 2024 at 7:30 P.M.
 Village of Skokie
 Council Chambers
 5127 Oakton Street
 Skokie, IL 60077

 I. Call to Order/Declaration of Quorum

 II. Roll Call

 III. Approval of Minutes

 IV. New Business

 2024-13P – Comprehensive Plan Chapter Amendment: Housing
 The Village Manager of the Village of Skokie, is requesting a Comprehensive Plan Chapter
 Amendment to Chapter 6 – Housing to update and revise themes that cater to the future housing needs
 of Skokie residents. After discussion and community input, the Housing Sub-Committee of the Plan
 Commission has drafted an update to the Village of Skokie’s Comprehensive Plan Housing Chapter.

 2024-16P – Special Use Permit: 8266 Lincoln Avenue
 8266 Lincoln, LLC, on behalf of RPL Lincoln, LLC, requests a special use permit for a child day care
 not in a residence in a TX Transit Mixed-Use zoning district, relief from §118-184(a) to provide two
 5’ side yards rather than the required 6’ minimum, relief from §118-212(a)(1) to provide a 16’ -wide
 aisle width adjacent to 90° parking spaces rather than the required 24’, relief from §118-212(i)(10) to
 provide a 3’-wide walkway at the rear of a building or structure behind which aisle parking provided
 rather than the required 5’ minimum, relief from §118-185(c)(6) to have less than 50% of the wall
 area that is between 2 and 12 feet above grade be occupied by windows and/or entry doors, and relief
 from §118-233(e) to provide no parking lot trees rather than the required 1 tree for every 15 parking
 spaces within the interior of the parking area, and any other relief that may be discovered during the
 review of this case.
 PIN: 10-21-404-014-0000

 2024-17P – Zoning Chapter Amendment: Modifications to Outdoor Dining Regulations
 The Village of Skokie requests modifications to §118-93 Food Establishments and Food Service
 Requirements of the Skokie Village Code to amend certain outdoor dining regulations and any other
 modifications that may be required as determined by Village staff during the review of this case.



 V. Old Business

 VI. Public Comment (for non-agenda items)

 Next Meeting will be on June 20, 2024 at 7:30 P.M.

 VII. Adjournment



VOSDOCS-#609406-v15-Meeting_Agenda_-_Plan_Commission_
Written comments can be submitted by email to publiccomments@skokie.org or by mail to
Village of Skokie, Attn: Johanna L. Nyden, Community Development Director, 5127 Oakton
Street, Skokie, Illinois, 6077; or via the Village’s drop box located by the public entry to Village
Hall.




VOSDOCS-#609406-v15-Meeting_Agenda_-_Plan_Commission_
 Draft – Not Approved


 Plan Commission Meeting Minutes
 Date: May 16, 2024


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



PLAN COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT: Talia Gevaryahu



STAFF PRESENT: Tyler Kobylski, Asst Corp. Counsel,
 Johanna Nyden, Community Dev. Dir.,
 Mike Voitik, Planning Technician, and
 Marlene Bargamian, Admin Asst.

(I) CALL TO ORDER
 A quorum being present, Chair Luke called the meeting to order at 7:31 PM.

(II) APPROVAL OF MINUTES
 A motion to approve the minutes of the May 2, 2024 meeting was made by
 Commissioner Scott Berman and seconded by Commissioner Cindy Franklin.

 Ayes: Unanimous voice vote. The motion passes.

(III) RULING ON NOTICE
 Assistant Corporation Counsel Kobylski determined that notices were proper and
 correct in all cases.

(IV) CASE DESCRIPTIONS
 Case 2024-13P – Comprehensive Plan Chapter Amendment: Housing
 The Village Manager of the Village of Skokie is requesting a Comprehensive
 Plan Chapter Amendment to Chapter 6 – Housing to update and revise themes
 that cater to the future housing needs of Skokie residents. After discussion and
 community input, the Housing Sub-Committee of the Plan Commission has
 drafted an update to the Village of Skokie’s Comprehensive Plan Housing
 Chapter.




# 619601 Plan Commission meeting minutes May 16, 2024
 Draft – Not Approved


 Staff submitted a memo from the Housing Sub-Committee of the Plan
 Commission requesting a continuance of this case to the June 6, 2024 meeting.
 They were unable to convene at their last meeting due to a lack of quorum. The
 committee will meet on May 23, 2024 and it is anticipated that the draft of the
 Housing Chapter will be finalized at that time.

 Case 2024-14P – Special Use Permit: 9306 Skokie Boulevard
 OP Associates, LLC, an Illinois limited liability company, on behalf of Josh
 Zwelling, requests a special use permit for outdoor dining at Emma’s Bagel Café
 at 9306 Skokie Boulevard in a B1 Service Commercial and a B2 Commercial
 zoning district, and any relief discovered during the review of this case.
 PINs: 10-16-204-008-0000, 10-16-204-012-0000, 10-16-222-033-0000

 Josh Zwelling, managing partner of Emma’s Bagel Café, presented the case. He
 is proposing to continue an outdoor dining area along the front of his restaurant
 with 7 tables and seating for 28. He created the outdoor dining option during the
 COVID pandemic with the Village’s approval and without the need to secure a
 permit.

 The hours of operation are from 7 AM to 7:30 PM Sundays through Fridays and
 closed on Saturdays.

 The chairman revealed that he frequents the restaurant.

 Commissioner Mathee informed the petitioner of the seasonal guidelines for
 outdoor dining being between April 1st and October 31st. Mr. Zwelling stated that
 he will comply with the established guidelines.

 Commissioner Berman wanted to verify that the physical space of the outdoor
 dining area does not spread beyond the storefront. Mr. Zwelling said the outdoor
 dining area along the sidewalk does not affect any other establishment.

 Staff requested that the report be accepted into the record as written. They are
 supportive of the request stating that it was a good option during COVID and will
 continue to provide an alternative for restaurant patrons. The site is laid out well
 and is well protected from traffic with oversized wheel stops. There is adequate
 walkway width between the tables, the building columns, and the edge of the
 parking lot. Waste receptacles were placed outside and all along the shopping
 center.

 Last summer staff notified restaurant locations who operated outdoor dining
 areas during the pandemic without a permit that special use and outdoor dining
 permits were required in order to continue the outdoor dining function. The
 petitioner responded and submitted the necessary documents to comply.

# 619601 Plan Commission meeting minutes May 16, 2024
 Draft – Not Approved



 There are some landscape and signage maintenance issues listed in the
 recommended conditions between the Village and the property management that
 need to be rectified within 30 days from Village Board ordinance adoption.

 Vice-Chair Burman remarked that the staff statements regarding controlling trash
 were thorough.

 Mr. Zwelling had nothing more to add when asked by the chairman for any
 comments.

 Case 2024-15P – Special Use Permit: 8950 Gross Point Road #800
 Point Medical Business Park, LLC, on behalf of Tatiana Tsikis, requests a special
 use permit for services to the elderly and disabled, except primary office uses, in
 a B2 Commercial zoning district, and any relief discovered during the review of
 this case.
 PINs: 10-16-409-030-0000 and 10-16-409-031-0000

 Tatiana Tsikis, day care services director and Cindy Cunningham, consultant,
 presented the case. They gave a brief overview of their request.

 Adult day care has been in existence since 1974 as available rooms in nursing
 homes were in short supply. Today, adult day care facilities help keep older
 seniors out of nursing homes. Forever Young Day Care Services primarily
 provides supportive care to senior immigrants and refugees from the former
 Soviet Union & Ukraine offering catered-in cultural meals, some conversation
 and social interaction, & music enjoyment. They currently operate in Wheeling &
 are hoping to relocate their Lincolnwood facility to Skokie.

 On the site plan map, buildings 8930 and 8950 are both shown. Commissioner
 Berman inquired if they will be occupying space in both buildings. Ms. Tsikis
 answered that the buildings share a parking lot but they will only be using the
 tenant space #800 at the west end of building 8950.

 Staff requested the report be entered into the record as written. The facility will
 accommodate up to 70 seniors with a staff of 19 employees. Hours of operation
 are 7:30 AM to 3:00 PM Mondays through Fridays. The clientele will be
 transported to and from the facility by 3 or 4 company buses/vans.

 In their written comments, the Fire Prevention Bureau created a list of items that
 need to be addressed prior to the issuance of building permits.




# 619601 Plan Commission meeting minutes May 16, 2024
 Draft – Not Approved


 The Forestry Division stated that the previous owners cut down some trees and
 never replaced them. They request that an additional tree be planted in the
 landscape island between 8930 & 8950 buildings.

 Traffic Engineering mentioned that there are 6 accessible parking spaces on site
 which meets the state’s requirement. However, one is sub-standard in width and
 is recommended to be shifted from the right side of the loading area to the left
 side and striping that area for loading. A total of 164 parking spaces are required
 for the tenants which will be provided. The reserved parking signs for current
 tenants will need to be removed as there are no excess parking spaces on site;
 therefore, all the parking must be shared.

 Staff is supportive of the petitioner’s request as the busiest time for this use is
 AM & early PM. The computer school holds evening & weekend classes so there
 is no conflict. The previous tenant was a large telemarketing business that
 created heavy traffic problems at the site and in the surrounding neighborhood.

 The chairman asked if “Reserved for Bus Parking” signage can be placed at the
 underutilized loading dock for bus parking. Staff will look into it.

 Commissioner Berman inquired if the pick-up & drop-off area is accessible. Staff
 displayed the area on the site plan as being near the ramp. He also stated that it
 is the burden of the owner to make the signage and landscaping changes and
 the tenant should be able to operate while things are handled.

 Staff answered that the signage issue should be resolved before tenant
 occupancy. Commissioner Mathee agreed.

 Staff offered that it is too hot to plant trees in summer and as not to burden the
 day care, put a November 30 deadline for planting the tree.

 Another commissioner asked if the restrooms are ADA compliant. The petitioners
 stated that they need to be compliant by the State in order to open. They are
 currently going through the process but need the Special Use permit first.


(V) RECOMMENDATIONS AND VOTING
 Case 2024-13P
 A motion was made to continue this case to the June 6, 2024 Plan Commission
 meeting.

 Motion: S. Berman Second: J. Burman

 Ayes: 7

# 619601 Plan Commission meeting minutes May 16, 2024
 Draft – Not Approved


 Nays: 0


 Case 2024-14P
 A motion was made to accept as amended, the petitioner’s request for a special
 use permit for outdoor dining at 9306 Skokie Boulevard. Staff amended the
 report to remove Condition #1 as it was inserted in error.

 Motion: J. Burman Second: C. Franklin

 Ayes: 7
 Nays: 0


 Case 2024-15P
 A motion was made to accept as amended, the petitioner’s request for a special
 use permit for services to the elderly and disabled at 8950 Gross Point Road
 #800. Staff amended Condition # 3 to require a landscape plan before the Village
 Board case presentation but all plantings be in place by November 30, 2024.

 Motion: J. Burman Second: S. Berman

 Ayes: 7
 Nays: 0


(VI) ITEMS FOR COMMUNICATION
 The chairman announced the resignation of Commissioner Peter Ousley leaving
 1 vacancy on the commission.

 The next regularly scheduled meeting will take place on June 6, 2024.

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

 Respectfully submitted,
 Marlene Bargamian,
 Administrative Assistant




# 619601 Plan Commission meeting minutes May 16, 2024
Memorandum
Community Development Department

TO: Paul Luke, Plan Commission Chairman
 Plan Commission Members

FROM: Joe Maschek, Housing Sub-Committee Member & Appearance Commission
 Member

DATE: May 28, 2024

SUBJECT: Consideration of Housing Chapter of the Village of Skokie Comprehensive Plan

The Housing Sub-Committee of the Plan Commission recommends the Plan Commission provide a
positive recommendation of the draft of housing chapter to the Village Board. This chapter will
replace the existing chapter of the document.

The Village Board established the Housing Sub-Committee of the Plan Commission to study,
review, discuss and provide recommendations concerning the housing chapter of the Comprehensive
Plan. Comprised of members from several Commissions and Committees in the Village, and
community members in Skokie, Housing Sub-Committee members were appointed by the Village
Board in August 2023. Throughout the process of creating a draft of the housing chapter, the
Housing Sub-Committee:

  Held seven (7) meetings, between October 2023 and May 2024, where committee members
 met to revise the current chapter and brainstorm relevant themes for housing in Skokie.
  Organized two community engagement events for public input on the proposed themes and
 topics addressed in the housing chapter draft.
  Created and distributed a survey online and in-person at several locations around the Village
 to supplement the community engagement meetings. The survey served to inquire about the
 public’s opinion on the new themes proposed by the Housing Sub-Committee and the most
 relevant issues surrounding housing in Skokie.

With the work done over a span of eight (8) months, along with the community engagement
opportunities, the Housing Sub-Committee finalized the themes and created a final version of the
Housing chapter to present to the Plan Commission on June 6, 2024.




619780 1
DRAFT — CHAPTER 6 - HOUSING
In May of 2023, the Skokie Village Board approved a Resolution establishing a Housing
Sub-Committee of the Plan Commission to study, review, discuss and provide
recommendations concerning the Housing Chapter of the Comprehensive Plan. The
members of the Housing-Sub Committee were appointed in August of 2023 with the
goal of drafting an updated Housing Chapter that reflects an updated vision toward the
future of housing in Skokie. After six months of meetings and collaboration with the
community, the Sub-Committee has drafted the following document, emphasizing
several important components toward the goals of prospective housing in Skokie.

Housing is an essential community component as well as a life necessity. The Village
aspires to provide a variety of housing types for all demographics and stages of life that
is both inclusive and accessible to all who want to live in Skokie. Increasingly, people
are seeking housing that can accommodate a range of needs. This includes:

 ● Residents who seek housing for all stages of life – first-time owners/renters,
 families, and accessible housing to accommodate older adults and empty
 nesters;
 ● New residents who are welcomed to Skokie from more urban spaces or new
 immigrants coming to the United States for the first time – Skokie is recognized
 regionally as being proximate to the City of Chicago while maintaining desirable
 suburban amenities and services like K-12 schools, parks, and public facilities.
 ● Residents who want housing that reflect lifestyle choices seek housing that can
 be rehabbed or adjusted to suit particular living arrangements (e.g. work-from-
 home arrangements, multi-generational housing, or sustainability features that
 reduce one’s carbon footprint).

Skokie residents want to live in a suburban community with strong educational
resources, community amenities, access to transportation options, and above all seek
high quality housing.

This chapter of the Comprehensive Plan will include themes and ideas that village
residents and stakeholders found to be the most essential for the development of new
housing. These themes include ideas of attainability, inclusivity, affordability, and
diversity, which signal the changing needs of Skokie residents. This chapter will
examine the future of housing in Skokie; what type and how much housing we and our
neighbors are developing; and other housing activities outlined in the 2020-2025
Consolidated Plan for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding and the
Environmental Sustainability Plan (2022).

EXISTING HOUSING CONDITIONS


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Skokie’s current housing stock includes single-family homes and multi-family buildings,
both owner- and renter-occupied. It also includes housing specifically supporting older
adults, persons living with disabilities, congregate living facilities (group homes), and
assisted-living facilities.

The majority of homes in Skokie were constructed between 1940 to 1969 during the
postwar boom that occurred in suburban areas across the country (Source: CMAP
Snapshot 2023). As a result, approximately 68% of the housing stock in Skokie is
characterized as being from a period that reflected housing for working families earning
moderate and middle incomes at that time. To meet this demand, the housing was
constructed using both similar building materials as well as similar design styles
resulting in several communities that closely resemble each other (e.g. low-rise brick
housing). More recent housing developments make up 16% of Skokie housing stock,
which is often designed as infill development and is costlier to construct. Much of
Skokie’s older housing stock, while attractive to buyers, has a challenge of meeting the
needs of current market demands. Residents increasingly want more living space for
gathering in outside areas, dedicated home office spaces, rooms that are on single
levels of living to accommodate current or future accessibility needs, and other spaces
that support high-quality living experiences. Approximately 61% of the housing stock in
Skokie is single-family homes (Source: ACS five-year estimates 2017-2021); and there
is a growing interest for other housing options, such as townhomes, multi-family homes,
and even accessory dwelling units (ADUs), that offer other attainable housing options to
meet the needs of current and future Skokie residents.

Vision Statement

 The Village seeks to provide a diverse range of housing that addresses the
current housing demand and plans for all future housing demand in Skokie.

 This vision is accomplished through four (4) themes:


 H1 Community Enhancement – Foster the creation of public spaces that
 support a greater sense of community in Skokie’s neighborhoods in and
 around residential areas. This encourages walkability, pedestrian-oriented
 development and sustainable practices. Promote accessibility in
 neighborhoods by guiding developments that include sidewalks, bike lanes,
 and safe crosswalks for comfortable and pedestrian-friendly environments.

 H2 Promote Housing Type Flexibility – Provide a flexible housing policy that
 allows for a greater mix of housing development that is more accessible,

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DRAFT — CHAPTER 6 - HOUSING

 attainable for a range of household incomes, and encourages sustainable
 practices. Promote a variety of housing types and sizes within village
 constraints to meet the housing demand of growing and changing population
 demographics.

 H3 Reasonable Standards – Provide housing policy that allows for a range of
 housing development that caters to the current needs of families in Skokie.
 Consider the needs of current Skokie homeowners and promote policy that
 protects and assists longtime residents and homeowners.

 H4 Reinvest and Retain – Encourage the development and redevelopment of a
 variety of housing types through housing policy and development activities.
 Support adaptive reuse and modification to existing housing stock.




H1 - Community Enhancement

Foster the creation of public spaces that support a greater sense of community in
Skokie’s neighborhoods in and around residential areas. This encourages walkability,
pedestrian-oriented development and sustainable practices. Promote accessibility in
neighborhoods by guiding developments that include sidewalks, bike lanes, and safe
crosswalks for comfortable and pedestrian-friendly environments.

Community enhancement seeks to create attractive neighborhoods in all parts of
Skokie. In the Village’s previous version of this Chapter, this idea was expressed
through the idea of a “location” theme – the idea of housing being located in areas
where people can benefit from public amenities like transportation, open space,
schools, services, and housing that supports the health and well-being of individuals.
Noted in the discussions for the development of this Chapter is the idea of establishing
stronger neighborhood identities, as is evident in Salem Village and Timber Ridge.
Other areas of Skokie present opportunities to build identity.

Encouraging the creation of neighborhood identity through new investment in areas
surrounding new development or investing in the spaces within existing neighborhoods
creates stronger neighborhoods, greater positive feelings about one’s community, and
establishes more places people want to live. This can be realized through investment in
public and private green spaces and requiring that projects meet high standards of
design and utilize quality materials.

Neighborhood identity and accessibility. Skokie residents are proud of their
community character and place a high value toward creating a “sense of place” in their

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DRAFT — CHAPTER 6 - HOUSING
neighborhoods. A sense of place can exist when one feels like a part of their community
and that their community is unique and has an identity. When neighborhoods are
walkable and accessible to parks and other social spaces, it creates opportunities to sit
and relax, eat, socialize, and shop. What brings character to Skokie neighborhoods may
differ from one resident to the next; however, neighborhood character includes a sense
of community and neighborhood identity that provides options for residents of all ages,
abilities, and socioeconomic levels. Overall, these public spaces should strengthen the
connections between people and the spaces they use or live in.

Improve design standards for new construction and significant remodeling. Much
of Skokie’s housing was developed during a time of rapid suburbanization and
construction, utilizing common building materials and design. Looking into the future,
improving design standards and zoning codes to promote more flexibility and unique
expressions of architecture diversity will help create more unique housing throughout
Skokie as properties experience reinvestment. The utilization of form-based code 1 may
also help provide better guidance to create a linked zoning and design standard to
ensure the most attractive projects are advanced to construction.

H2 - Promote Housing Type Flexibility
Provide a flexible housing policy that allows for a greater mix of housing development
that is more accessible, attainable for a range of household incomes, and encourages
sustainable practices. Promote a variety of housing types and sizes within village
constraints to meet the housing demand of growing and changing population
demographics.

Provide a mix of housing options that are accessible and attainable. Although the
population of Skokie has remained relatively constant, the demands of the population
have changed in terms of what type of housing is desired. Skokie is unique in that in
addition to a range of single-family homes and condos, the housing stock also contains
a number of small multi-family homes, such as 2- or 3-flats and townhomes. By
investing in the existing, aging housing stock, residents can remain in place and thrive
in Skokie. When it comes to new housing, it is important to provide a mix of housing
options to accommodate the range of needs of Skokie’s community. This includes
attainable housing for first-time renters/homeowners, families of all sizes, older adults,
empty nesters, and those who would benefit from accessible units.

Allow for flexibility for new development. Flexibility can also be applied to existing
development within the village. By allowing for more accommodating housing policies

1 Form-based code refers to land development that prioritizes the physical form of buildings and their

relationship within the public realm, instead of the emphasis on land use as used in traditional zoning
codes.

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DRAFT — CHAPTER 6 - HOUSING
and codes, it helps Skokie to grow in a way that encompasses the needs of the
community. For example, adaptive reuse practices could allow a former commercial or
office building to be converted into a greater needed use, such as mixed-use or
residential units. More creative development may be encouraged by allowing for more
uses in certain zoning categories. Skokie’s existing housing stock is a valuable asset to
the community; however, many families may feel as though they need more space to
work from home or accommodate their growing family. By providing flexible
development options for homeowners in these districts, residents can further invest in
their home and continue to stay in Skokie and age in place. Standards should promote
and incentivize investment in the existing housing and building stock.

Adaptive Reuse. There is limited opportunity for redevelopment because Skokie
contains no undeveloped land. One method that allows developers to breathe life into
unused buildings or spaces is called adaptive reuse. Adaptive reuse, or building reuse,
refers to the repurposing of an existing structure for a new use, converting it into
something useful for the surrounding area. Commercial retail, for example, has
dramatically changed since the time when many shopping centers were built. By
allowing the conversion of vacant commercial properties into a higher needed use, such
as housing, the community benefits from the revitalization. Some advantages that
adaptive reuse has over brand-new development is that they often have lower
construction costs, quicker construction timelines, and are popular with communities
interested in preserving unique or important landmarks. By finding opportunities for
adaptive reuse and keeping alignment with other approved plans, sections of Skokie
could be re-invented with new opportunities.

Zoning Code updates. Along with the Housing Chapter Update, existing portions of the
Zoning and Building code will be reviewed, as it is possible that there are sections in the
code that inhibit or deter housing development in areas where housing may be
appropriate. This will serve to allow more housing options in areas that provide robust
public transportation options and have the potential to create walkable communities
within business and mixed-use districts. Reviewing and making changes to the Zoning
and Building code allows the opportunity for a mix of housing types, like Accessory
Dwelling Units (ADUs).

H-3 Reasonable Standards
Provide housing policy that allows for a range of housing development that caters to the
current needs of families in Skokie. Consider the needs of current Skokie homeowners
and promote policy that protects and assists longtime residents and homeowners.

Provide transparent guidelines and standards to existing homeowners. The ability
to create a home that is customized for households of all sizes and needs is something

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that residents have voiced as of high importance. The Village can partner with
homeowners to support them with personalizing their homes to fit their needs. This
includes:

 ● Ensuring that sustainable and high-quality developments are built
 ● Fostering a transparent and easy process to modify homes
 ● Upholding Skokie’s enforcement of Fair Housing. Skokie’s Commitment to
 Fair Housing began in 1967 with the establishment of a Fair Housing
 Ordinance, which stated that all persons shall be assured full and equal
 opportunities to obtain fair and adequate housing for themselves and their
 families within the village without discrimination.

Consider sustainable and resilient policies and standards. Extreme weather and
climate change are increasingly a more common experience in Skokie. Ensuring that
the village’s housing is positioned to adapt to more sustainable and resilient practices
(e.g. utilization of native plantings instead of turf, making homes solar ready, and other
sustainable measures).

H4- Reinvest and Retain
Encourage the development and redevelopment of a variety of housing types through
housing policy and development activities. Support adaptive reuse and modification to
existing housing stock. Support of new housing developments should prioritize design
integration with surrounding neighborhoods at both scale, building bulk, materials, and
other aesthetics. New developments should bring greater housing diversity to
neighborhoods.

Building for today’s housing needs. Neighborhood character can exist at an
individual home level, creating a sense of comfort and accommodation for all residents.
Skokie has a variegated housing stock and therefore community and neighborhood
character should be able to reflect the needs of residents. Much of Skokie’s housing
stock may have been built at a time when smaller homes were more common, creating
barriers for larger or multigenerational households who need more space. Creating
options for internal or external accessory dwelling units (ADUs) or other custom
modifications could accommodate the needs of residents and allow them to age in place
and remain in Skokie.

There is a strong desire for residents’ homes to meet or exceed their expectations on
lifestyle and family needs, in hopes of creating a long-lasting home. When building new
housing, one tactic helpful for all households is incorporating Universal Design
standards. The term Universal Design refers to design that’s usable by all people, to the
greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design.

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Examples of these design standards include better lighting, wider doorways, and
hallways that are more accessible utilizing level thresholds. By building homes designed
for all people, we ensure they are functional for people with any type of impairment of
the body or mind while ensuring that the design is useful for everyone. Building homes
and investing in a community for the future also should include high-quality sustainable
building practices and high-quality standards so that the home is long-lasting.

Residents who want to age in place near or with their families may need homes that are
larger or have internal or external accessory dwelling units to accommodate these
changing life phases. Skokie is a culturally diverse community, which creates a need for
different styles of households that may want to live together under one roof or nearby.
The ability to reasonably enhance one’s home is an important topic that community
members have expressed, allowing households to create a unique and accommodating
living experience in Skokie.

CONCLUSION:
There are several aspects that make Skokie a desirable place to call home. As the
Village of Skokie continues to be a growing and diverse community, the need for
adaptable, attainable, and varied housing has become more and more important. While
community members find themselves residing in homes built in the 1950s and 1960s,
they also desire to make investments in their homes today. The future of housing in
Skokie will need to be flexible to accommodate community needs for households of all
sizes and income levels.

Looking forward, Skokie is committed to accommodating its ever-evolving population
and remaining in tune with the future of housing. This means staying true to its
commitments from the past while also understanding current needs and desires to
ensure a viable community into the future.




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STAFF REPORT 2024-16P: Special Use Permit
Community Development Department Council Chambers, 7:30 PM, June 6, 2024


To: Paul Luke, Chairman, Skokie Plan Commission
From: Jose Acosta, Planning Coordinator
Re: 2024-16P: Special Use Permit
 Guidepost Montessori Child Day Care
 8266 Lincoln Avenue

 General Information
 Location 8266 Lincoln Avenue
 Purpose To obtain a special use permit for a child day care not in a
 residence at 8266 Lincoln Avenue in a TX Transit Mixed-Use
 zoning district and any relief discovered during the review of this
 case.
 PIN: 10-21-404-014-0000
 Petitioner Paul Leongas, RPL Lincoln, LLC
 Size of Site 9,000 square feet (.20 acres) with 75.00 feet of frontage on
 Lincoln Avenue.
 Existing Zoning & TX Transit Mixed-Use – vacant (previously Curragh Irish Pub)
 Land Use
 Adjacent Zoning & Northeast R2 Single-Family – residential, detached
 Land Use Madison Elementary School,
 Skokie School District 69
 Southwest R2 Single-Family – residential, detached
 R4 Multifamily Housing – residential, detached
 East R4 Multifamily Housing – residential, detached
 Madison Place Condominiums
 West R2 Single-Family – residential, detached
 R4 Multifamily Housing – residential, detached
 Southeast TX Transit Mixed-Use – Auto Repair Shop

 Northwest NX Neighborhood Mixed-Use – Dental Office

 Comprehensive Plan The site is designated as retail/service employment.


SITE INFORMATION
  A 16-foot wide concrete paved public alley abuts the west lot line.
  Lincoln Avenue from addresses block 8200 to 8299 is designated as a Retail
 Street.


 VOSDOCS-#619777-v1-2024-16P_-_Special_Use_Permit_-_8266_Lincoln_Avenue
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  Street parking is available on Lincoln Avenue directly adjacent to the site.


Complete Streets




 • The site is served by Pace bus route 210 on Lincoln Avenue.
 • Public sidewalks are located along both sides of Lincoln Avenue


STAFF ANALYSIS
Petitioner’s Submittal
RPL Lincoln, LLC is requesting approval for a special use permit for a child day care not
in a residence, and any relief discovered during the review of this case.
The petitioner submitted the following statement:
 The proposed hours of operation are from 7:00am to 6:00pm - Monday through
 Friday. The staff typically arrives from 7:00am – 7:30am to prepare for children’s
 drop–off and arrivals. Although the facility closes at 6:00pm, the facility will
 occasionally remain open for evening activities such as routine after-hours
 administrative duties, parent meetings, teacher/professional development, and
 community activities.

 The following is a sample schedule with key arrival and departure time ranges
 identified. Early arrivals (pre-care) and late pickups (extended care) are part of
 our standard tuition package, and our families are not penalized for utilizing the
 following wide range of drop-off and pick-up windows.

 Sample School Schedule
 7:00-7:30 Staff Arrival
 Drop-Off Arrival Window
 7:30-9:00
 • 7:30am – 9am is pre-care
 9:00-11:00 Morning Work Period Starts
 11:00-12:00 Lunch and Outside Play
 12:00-12:30 Half-Day Dismissals
 12:30-2:30 Nap Time
 2:30-4:30 Snack and Outside Play
 Pick-Up Departure Window
 2:30-6:00 • 3pm – 6pm is extended-
 care

 Arrival and departure times are spread over an approximate (2.5) hour period in
 the morning and (3.5) hour period in the afternoon. There are also some half-day


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 dismissals that further spread out the afternoon pickups. At other campuses,
 Guidepost Montessori generally experiences a steady flow of arrivals and
 departures throughout the drop-off and pick-up time zones that does not cause
 parking lot congestion or the need for traffic mitigation. The parking layout will
 provide parking spaces behind the building along the alley. There are also
 designated loading spaces in front to be used as pick-up and drop-off spaces.
 There is ample street parking available along Lincoln and along Laramie which
 allows for parents or guardians to park, walk their children into
 the facility, where each child is checked into an electronic (SmartCare) system.
 The parent or guardian then returns to their car. The process happens in reverse
 for pick up. The day-care will serve up to (151) children, from infant through six-
 years old. Guidepost Montessori intends to have approximately (17) staff
 members, including teachers and administrators. There will be (1) NIDO class of
 9 (infants), (1) YOUNG TODDLERS classroom with 10 kids (15-23 months), (3)
 TODDLERS classrooms with 42 kids (2–3-year-old), (3) CHILDREN HOUSE
 classrooms with 90 kids (3–6-year-old) along with a rooftop playground

Comments
Staff Comment and Review sheets were sent to all pertinent departments. Staff
comments on the subject case were received from the Traffic Engineering Division and
the Planning Department. Forestry and Civil Engineering submitted comments regarding
required permitting. All other departments returned the sheets with no comments.

Traffic Engineering
Concerns
The comments below are in reference to the Traffic Impact Study (TIS) submitted in a
previous review. A revised TIS was not submitted with the revised site plan and the
initial comments have not changed. Staff has concerns over the outdated Traffic Impact
Study as it may show inaccuracies with the stated traffic counts and the suggested
“Pick-Up and Drop-off Evaluation”. Changes to the Site Plan, submitted on April 30,
2024, including net floor area, reduce the intensity of the use and alters the off-street
parking requirement for the site. A revised Traffic Impact Study is highly suggested to
get a more accurate reading of the potential traffic congestion surrounding the site and
use.

Although the Traffic Impact Study reflects the previous site plan, Traffic Engineering’s
main concern from the previous study is the stated 59% probability that one to three
vehicles will be in queue for pick-up and drop-off. Any vehicles waiting to use the
loading zone spaces is not desirable as it can spill into blocking driveways and spill into
the intersection of Madison St/Lincoln Ave. Madison Elementary utilizes this intersection
for pick-up and drop-off. 56 drop-off vehicles were used for the analysis.




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Planning Division
The Planning Division reviewed the site plan dated March 21, 2024, and the floor plan
dated March 21, 2024. The existing vacant building (formerly Curragh Irish Pub) will be
razed and replaced by a child day care center.

Guidepost Montessori for Early Childhood Development is a day care provider for
children between the ages of 6 weeks to 6 years old. The day care will serve up to 151
children and will have approximately 17 total staff members. Year-round hours of
operation will be from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The fully-
sprinklered building will have 8 classrooms, an outdoor rooftop deck with a playground,
and an additional playground area located at the rear of the building near the parking
lot. The building also includes a kitchen, storage rooms, and a staff area.

The parking requirement for a child day care not in a residence use is 2.0 spaces for
each 1,000 sq. ft. Staff has determined that the total net floor area of the proposed
building to be approximately 11,300 square feet, requiring a total of approximately 23
parking spaces, however only 7 parking spaces are provided on-site. A variation cannot
be applied because the property is in a mixed-use zone. If approved (as is) the
applicant would need to pay $339,000 into the parking fund per section 118-218(7)(e).
If the proposed use changes, the site will be subject to a new off-street parking
requirement.

After reviewing the most recent site plans and floor plans, Staff has determined the
following items of relief:
 1. The minimum required side yard for a building not abutting a residential district
 in the TX zoning district is 6 feet when a side yard is provided. The site plan
 shows two side yards, both of which are less than 6 feet in width. Relief will be
 required; site plans show two 5’ side yards.
 2. With the alley functioning as the driveway to access the parking spaces, an aisle
 width of 24' is required for 90-degree parking spaces (118-212(a)(1)). Relief will
 be required, the site plan does not show the 4’ dedication, and the 16’ wide
 public alley remains.
 3. Since 8266 Lincoln Avenue is in a Retail Street, here are some additional building
 regulations to follow:
 - Building elevation plans show a first-floor height of 13' 4. Section 118-
 184 (c)(2) will be needed to provide a minimum first-floor height of 15
 feet from grade to second story finished floor level on a Retail street.
 - 118-184 (c)(6) At least 50% of the wall area that is between 2 and 12
 feet above grade shall be occupied by windows and/or entry doors. These
 windows and doors shall meet the following requirements:
 A. Utilize clear transparent glass in order to provide clear views of
 building interiors from the street and to allow natural surveillance
 of the street and adjacent outdoor spaces.
 B. Tint, internal screening, patterns or mirrored coatings are

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 prohibited.
 C. Coatings shall be limited to those necessary to meet the
 minimum U-factor requirement in the latest addition of the
 International Energy Conservation Code adopted by the State of
 Illinois.
 D. Be of commercial grade and design.
 E. The surface shall not be covered or obstructed by products,
 signs in excess of the requirements in the Signs chapter, or other
 opaque materials place behind the window.
 - 118-184 (c)(7) At least 25% of the wall area between 3 and 8 feet from
 the finished floor level of upper stories shall consist of glass for all non-
 residence uses.

 Staff has no objections to the requested relief. Previously, relief for code section
 118-212(i)(10) was requested to provide a 3’-wide walkway at the rear of the
 building or structure behind which aisle parking is provided rather than the 5’
 minimum. However, Section 118-212(11) of the Village zoning code allows the 3’
 walkway in the rear of the building where aisle parking is provided under the
 following circumstances:
 a. Where any parking area has direct access to the parking stalls from an alley
 and is also located directly to the rear of the building; and
 b. Where the sidewalk abutting the parking area or which provides access to the
 building from the parking area is not in conflict with vehicular traffic maneuvers,
 including backup maneuvers.
 The site plan shows the off-street parking layout and walkway in accordance with
 code section 118-212(11), therefore no longer requiring this item of relief.


APPEARANCE COMMISSION
This item has not yet been reviewed by the Appearance Commission but will require a
Certificate of Appropriateness awarded by the Appearance Commission prior to the
hearing before the Board of Trustees due to the proposal involving the construction of a
new building.

STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that the petitioner’s request for a special use permit to operate a
child day care not in a residence at 8266 Lincoln Avenue be APPROVED, based upon
the Proposed Positive Findings of Fact and subject to the recommended and standard
special use permit conditions. In addition, the petitioner is requesting from the following
sections of the Village Zoning Code:
 • Relief from §118-184(a) to provide two 5’ side yards rather than the required 6’
 minimum.
 • Relief from §118-212(a) to provide a 16’-wide aisle width adjacent to 90-degree
 parking spaces rather than the required 24’.


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 • Relief from §118-184(c)(6) to have less than 50% of the wall area that is
 between 2 and 12 feed above grade be occupied by windows and/or entry doors.
 • And relief from §118-233(r) to provide no parking lot trees rather than the
 required 1 tree for every 15 parking spaces within the interior of the parking
 area, and any other relief that may be discovered during the review of this case.

RECOMMENDED SPECIAL USE CONDITIONS
1. Prior to a hearing of the subject case before the Board of Trustees, the petitioner
 must submit payment to the Village, per section 118-218(7)(e) of the Village of
 Skokie Zoning Code, to be held in a reserve account to provide for the acquisition,
 erection, construction, or installation of public parking structures or lots within or
 adjacent to a mixed-use district, for each deficient required parking space under the
 following conditions:
 1.The off-street parking space is not a required resident space for residence use
 in (b)(1) of this section but may be a space required for guests.
 2.The off-street parking space is required for a use other than in (b)(7) e.1. of
 this section.
 3.The off-street parking space is being used as a credit for a FAR bonus in
 Section 118-184(b) for a commercial parking space in excess of required parking
 requirements available for nonrestricted public use.
 4.A contribution of $15,000 for each of the first 5 parking spaces requested and
 $24,000 for each additional parking space requested thereafter must be paid
 prior to the issuance of a building permit
2. The petitioner shall develop the Subject Property in substantial conformance with
 the final Village approved site plan dated March 21, 2024, and floor plan dated
 March 21, 2024. (Standard)
3. Provide lighting plan in accordance with IES and Section 118-212 (k) lighting.

4. Parking lot and exterior lighting shall meet Illuminating Engineering Society of North
 America (IES) standards, be full cut-off design, and be directed away from adjacent
 properties, subject to the approval of the Engineering Division. (Standard)

5. Any outdoor sound systems shall at all times maintain audio levels that are
 compliant with the Skokie Village Code. (Standard)
6. All existing damaged public sidewalks or public sidewalks damaged due to the
 implementation of this plan shall be replaced. (Standard)
7. No objects are allowed within a 15’ sight distance triangle between 30” and 84” from
 grade except traffic control devices listed in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control
 Devices. (Standard)
8. All fencing, walls, sidewalks, driveways, curbs, wheel stops, parking areas, signage,
 landscaping, structures, and any other facilities or infrastructure on the Subject

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 Property shall be maintained in a good state of repair, and when needed, be
 repaired or replaced in a timely manner. (Standard)
9. All private and public sidewalks shall be maintained free of snow, ice, sleet, or other
 objects that may impede travel. (Standard)
10. Trash shall only be allowed within a designated trash enclosure and shall be
 screened from public view in an enclosure approved by the Appearance Commission
 or the Director of Community Development. All trash shall be contained in such a
 way as to remain out of sight at all times. (Standard)
11. All off-street parking spaces shall be legibly striped and maintained. (Standard)
12. Any plan to modify parking lot striping must be approved by the Director of
 Engineering. (Standard)
13. The proposed development shall have a minimum of 28 off-street vehicle parking
 spaces including 2 handicapped parking spaces, as indicated on the Subject Property
 plan dated <insert date of final approved plan>. (Standard)
14. The handicapped parking spaces shall be installed and maintained in compliance with
 State of Illinois Accessibility Standards and the Skokie Village Code, including required
 signage. (Standard)
15. Vehicles shall not be allowed to be parked in or otherwise block common driveways,
 sidewalks, aisles, or other points of access at any time, shall only be parked in
 designated parking spaces, and shall not overlap the striped lines of designated
 parking spaces. (Standard)
16. The owner of the Subject Property [and its tenant] shall ensure that employees park
 on the Subject Property. (Standard)
17. All overhead utilities on the Subject Property or in adjacent right-of-way shall be
 placed or relocated underground. The petitioner shall bear the full cost of any utility
 relocation and/or conflicts. (Standard)
18. The petitioner shall sign an "Agreement for Installation and Maintenance of
 Landscaping" to assure that the Subject Property and parkway landscaping is
 completed and maintained, including trimming, watering, and replacing of dead
 plant materials in a timely manner in accordance with the final approved landscape
 plan. A copy of said Agreement is attached hereto, marked Exhibit “A” and hereby
 made part of this Ordinance. This “Agreement for Installation and Maintenance of
 Landscaping" shall be recorded at the petitioner’s expense. (Standard)
19. All new construction, alterations, and remodeling shall meet current International
 Building and NFPA Life Safety Codes as amended. (Standard)
20. The petitioner shall obtain all required permits and approvals for improvements to
 County, State, or Federal rights-of-way from the governing jurisdiction. (Standard)
21. The Subject Property must conform to the Village's storm water control requirements
 as contained in the Skokie Village Code, including the disconnection of any
 downspouts. (Standard)

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22. All signage shall conform to the Skokie Village Code. Any sign on the Subject
 Property that is in violation of that Code must be removed or modified to conform
 with the Village Code prior to the issuance of an occupancy permit. (Standard)
23. All modifications to building elevations, signage, and landscaping shall be subject to
 the review and approval of the Skokie Appearance Commission. (Standard)
24. The petitioner shall submit to the Planning Division electronic files of the plat of
 survey, site plan, and landscape plan in their approved and finalized form. The files
 shall be scaled 2-dimensional drawing files on non-compressed, non-read only CD-
 ROM *.dwg AutoCAD format. (Standard)
25. Prior to the issuance of building permits, the petitioner shall submit to the Planning
 Division of the Community Development Department the name, property address,
 email address, and telephone number of the company and contact person
 responsible for site maintenance in compliance with the special use permit. (Standard)
26. If work is to be performed on public property or if public property is utilized or
 impacted during construction and/or development, the owner shall provide, or shall
 cause the developer and/or contractor to provide, the Village of Skokie with a
 certificate of insurance naming the Village of Skokie as additionally insured for any
 and all claims related to any and all work. The owner shall hold, and shall cause the
 developer and/or contractor to hold, the Village of Skokie harmless and indemnify
 the Village for any and all claims for property damage or personal injury related to
 work on or use of public property. (Standard)
27. The petitioner shall comply with all Federal and State statutes, laws, rules and
 regulations and all Village codes, ordinances, rules, and regulations. (Standard)
28. Failure to abide by any and all terms of this Ordinance shall be cause for the Village
 to initiate hearings to determine whether the subject Ordinance, as well as any
 applicable business licenses, should be revised or revoked. The petitioner shall pay
 all costs related to any hearings conducted as a result of non-compliance with any of
 the provisions of the enabling ordinance. The costs shall include but not be limited
 to court reporter fees, attorney fees, and staff time required researching and
 conducting said hearing. (Standard)


ATTACHMENTS
1. Proposed Positive Findings of Fact
2. Site Plan, dated April 30, 2024.
3. Floor Plan, dated April 30, 2024.
4. ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey, dated March 6, 2024.
5. Land Use and Zoning Map, dated May 3, 2024.




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Proposed Positive Findings of Fact 2024-16P: Special Use Permit
Community Development Department Council Chambers, 7:30 PM, June 6, 2024


 Consideration Finding
 The request is consistent with the intent of the The site is designated as retail/service
 Comprehensive Plan. employment in the Comprehensive Plan, of
 which education is an appropriate use for
 such designation.

 The request will not adversely affect adjacent The proposed use will not adversely affect
 properties. adjacent properties, as the parking areas will
 remain in the existing locations.
 The request is compatible with the existing or The proposed use is compatible with the
 allowable uses of adjacent properties. existing or allowable uses of adjacent
 properties.
 The request demonstrates that adequate public The proposed use demonstrates that
 facilities, including roads, drainage, utilities, adequate public facilities, including roads,
 and police and fire protection exist or will exist drainage, utilities, and police and fire
 to serve the requested use at the time such protection exist or will exist to serve the
 facilities are needed. requested use.
 The request demonstrates adequate provision The request demonstrates adequate provision
 for maintenance and use of the associated for maintenance and use of the associated
 structures. structures.
 The request has considered and, to the degree There should be few, if any, adverse effects
 possible, addressed the adverse effects on the on the natural environment from the
 natural environment. proposed use. Motor vehicle, bicycle,
 pedestrian, and stormwater facilities will be
 accommodated as part of the development.
 The request will not create undue traffic The proposed use is not expected to create
 congestion. undue traffic congestion.
 The request will not adversely affect public The proposed use will not adversely affect
 health, safety, and welfare. the public health, safety, or general welfare.

 The request conforms to all applicable The request conforms to all applicable
 provisions of this code, except where relief is provisions of this code, except where relief is
 granted with the request. granted.




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STAFF REPORT 2024-17P: Zoning Chapter Amendment
Community Development Department Council Chambers, 7:30 PM, June 6, 2024


To: Paul Luke, Chairman, Skokie Plan Commission
From: Justin Malone, Neighborhood & Housing Coordinator
Case: 2024-17P: Zoning Chapter Amendment
 Modifications to Outdoor Dining Regulations



 General Information
 Petitioner Village of Skokie
 Purpose The Village of Skokie requests modifications to Section 118-93
 Food Establishments and Food Service Requirements, and any
 other related sections of the Skokie Village Code to amend
 certain outdoor dining regulations and any other modifications
 that may be required as determined by Village staff during the
 review of this case.

STAFF ANALYSIS
In order to expedite the outdoor dining permitting process, the Community
Development Department is proposing to allow outdoor dining as a permitted use in all
commercial and mixed-use zoning districts as well as implement an administrative staff-
level approval process for all outdoor dining permits received. Outdoor dining
applications with requested relief outside of the standard regulations (i.e. extended
outdoor dining hours) would still be required to receive approval from the Zoning Board
of Appeals for relief.
Although outdoor dining is not a new concept, the interest in dining outdoors increased
significantly during the pandemic. Since then, many business owners have strived to
ensure that an outdoor space to enjoy is made available to patrons. While the Village
currently has a process to allow outdoor dining in specific zoning districts, the process
can be lengthy, especially as a Special Use in certain districts. The lengthy process,
often coupled with the application fees can be seen as a hurdle for many business
owners, especially those who are unfamiliar with the approval process.
Currently, outdoor dining is a permitted use in TX, CX, B3, B4, and H1 zoning districts
and is permitted as a special use in NX, B1, B2, B6, and M1 districts. Staff recommends
retaining some regulatory controls in the outdoor dining approval process to ensure
each site is compatible with surrounding uses, seating, safety, etc. Standard regulations
for outdoor dining currently include limited hours between 8:00 AM and 10:00 PM,
limited months of use between April 1 and October 31, and design or safety standards.


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619317 v1-Staff_Report_2024_17P_Zoning_Chapter_Amendment_for_Outdoor_Dining_Regulations
Under the proposed code modification, relief from any base standards will require
Zoning Board approval.
The proposed changes would:
 1. Make outdoor dining a permitted use within all commercial and mixed-use zoning
 districts within the Village.
 2. Expedite the outdoor dining permit process for applicants by allowing an
 administrative review and approval.
 3. Eliminate the need for Village Board approval for outdoor dining permits that fall
 within Village standards.
 4. Applicants with circumstances beyond standard Village code permissions would
 be required to receive Zoning Board approval.

STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the following sections of Chapter 118 - Zoning of the Skokie
Village Code be amended, with text to be added highlighted and text to be removed
highlighted and stricken through in the attached draft ordinance.




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619317 v1-Staff_Report_2024_17P_Zoning_Chapter_Amendment_for_Outdoor_Dining_Regulations
Sec 118-7. Zoning Board of Appeals.

 (a) General. This section addresses the duties and responsibilities of the Zoning Board
of Appeals, hereafter referred to as "the ZBA," and other officials and agencies, with
respect to the administration of this chapter.

(b) Establishment of the ZBA. The establishment of the ZBA shall be in accordance with
the policies and procedures set forth in this code.

(c) ZBA reporter. A reporter to assist the ZBA shall be appointed by the Zoning Official.
The reporter keeps records of the ZBA meetings for public record and conducts all
correspondence, including the notification of decisions. The reporter shall prepare and
submit the minutes of the ZBA meetings to the chairperson and the ZBA for approval.

(d) Duties and powers.

(1) Variances. The ZBA hears and decides appeals to the terms of this chapter.
Limitations as to the ZBA's authorization are set forth in this chapter.

a. Location and size of accessory buildings and structures within permitted yards.

b. Height of a building or structure provided that a certificate of appropriateness has
been issued by the Appearance Commission.

c. Spacing between congregate living facilities.

d. Land coverage, floor area ratio, or impermeable surface ratios.

e. Size of all required yards and the placement of buildings or structures therein.

f. Number of required off-street motor vehicle or bicycle parking spaces and from the
requirements of Section 118-212, Motor vehicle parking facility design standards, (a)
Size and clearance.

g. Reduction in the setback requirement for landscaping in business districts along
arterial streets, Main Street, or Howard Street, provided that the project would not be
economically feasible but for the variance or that other design features are substituted
for the landscaping that have been approved by the Appearance Commission.

h. Parking certain commercial vehicles in residential districts.

i. Requirements in the Signs chapter of this code.




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619317 v1-Staff_Report_2024_17P_Zoning_Chapter_Amendment_for_Outdoor_Dining_Regulations
j. Reducing a required minimum lot area, lot width, or required side yard to build a
detached residence on a substandard buildable lot of record in a residential district
established prior to 1947, provided it meets all the other requirements of this chapter.
The owner shall provide with the application for a variance a survey of the lot by a duly
licensed land surveyor and the portion of the adjacent lots including the distance
between the side lot line and the nearest part of the buildings or structures thereon.

k. Relief for outdoor dining outside of standard conditions as mentioned in Sec. 118-93
(e) (1).


Sec. 118-93. Food establishments and food service requirements.
 The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the
meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a
different meaning:
 Outdoor dining means a facilitated environment which allows a restaurant or bar to
place tables and chairs within a fixed boundary so patrons can dine on the sidewalk,
parking area, or otherwise designated area outside of the indoor confines of the food
service establishment.




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Sec. 118-93. Food establishments and food service requirements.

(a) A screened garbage corral with an impermeable surface shall be provided to
contain all dumpsters.

(b) No tables or eating counters shall be allowed at food establishments. The addition
of tables or eating counters shall constitute the addition of a food service use at that
location, and all additional regulations for that food service use shall apply.

(c) At least once during every 4 hours of operation and before opening and closing of
the business, employees shall patrol the property and clear it of litter.

(d) The sale of open alcoholic beverages at carryout restaurants is prohibited.

(e) Outdoor dining.

 (1) Standard conditions. The following shall apply to all outdoor dining areas:

 a. Barriers, fencing, landscaping, and other features shall be utilized to
 define the outdoor dining area.

 b. Use of the area shall be limited to between 8:00 AM and 10:00 PM,
 but not longer than the posted operational hours of the associated food
 service facility.

 c. Dates of operation shall be limited to between April 1 and October 31
 in a calendar year.

 d. Outdoor dining areas shall be exempt from parking regulations if used
 or set up less than 7 months in a calendar year.

 e. All food preparation must take place inside the associated food service
 establishment.

 f. Adequate litter and refuse disposal shall exist as determined by the
 Health Department.

 g. Advertising or promotional features shall be limited to umbrellas or
 canopies.

 h. A drive-through facility shall have at least one litter/refuse disposal
 container at its exit at a location determined by the Health Department.

 i. All applicable Village and State health requirements shall be met.
 j. Dining areas will be reviewed each year during the annual restaurant
 inspection. The outdoor dining permit may be revoked by the Village
 Manager at any time on 14 days' notice for failure to comply with the
 regulations set forth in this subsection.

 k. The outdoor dining area shall not be enclosed on more than two sides
 with walls if roofed over.

 l. The outdoor dining area must be located on a surface approved by the
 Village Manager or designee.

 m. The outdoor dining area shall not be located in a required parking
 space or block a private or public sidewalk.

(2) Outdoor dining on private property shall be a permitted use with an outdoor
dining permit from the Village Manager or designee in NX, TX, CX, B1, B2, B3,
B4, B6, H1 and M1 districts subject to the following conditions:

 a. All conditions in subsection (e)(1) are met.

 b. The outdoor dining shall be on the same lot as or within a
 development that received site plan approval as its associated food
 service establishment.

 c. An outdoor dining area shall not be located within a 15' sight distance
 triangle or within 3' from any public alley.

(3) Outdoor dining shall be permitted on private property between November 1
and March 31, of the next calendar year, with an administrative permit from
the Village Manager or designee, subject to the following conditions:

 a. An outdoor dining permit or a special use permit for outdoor dining
 has been issued for the site.

 b. The outdoor dining area must be in the same location as the approved
 outdoor dining permit or special use permit.

 c. The outdoor dining area cannot be used more than 4 periods during
 this time.

 d. The outdoor dining area cannot be used or set up for more than a
 period of 3 consecutive days.

 e. A site and floor plan must be approved by the Village Manager or
 designee.
 f. Administrative permit fee must be paid to the Village of Skokie prior to
 using the outdoor dining area.

 (4) Outdoor dining on private property shall be a special permitted use in NX,
 B1, B2, B6, and M1 districts or if relief is needed from any condition in
 subsections (e)(1), (e)(2), or (e)(3) in NX, TX, CX, B1, B2, B3, B4, B6, H1 and
 M1 districts.

 (4) Outdoor dining on a public right-of-way shall be a permitted use with an
 outdoor dining permit from the Village Manager or designee in NX, TX, CX, B1,
 B2, B3, B4, B6, H1, and M1 districts subject to the following conditions:

 a. All conditions in subsection (e)(1) are met.

 b. The use of public right-of-way for outdoor furniture and
 appurtenances shall only be permitted incidental to the operation of a
 restaurant on private abutting property, and the outdoor dining area
 shall not extend laterally beyond the frontage of the permittee's
 establishment.

 c. All public sidewalks and parkways shall be maintained in accordance
 with § 90-43 and § 118-188.

 d. A Use of Public Way for Outdoor Dining Agreement between the
 Village and both the operator of the food service and the abutting land
 owner shall be approved by the Village.

 (6) Outdoor dining on public right-of-way shall be a special permitted use:

 a. In NX, B1, B2, B3, B4, B6, and M1 districts in conjunction with an
 approved Use of Public Way for Outdoor Dining Agreement between the
 Village and the operator of the food service.

 b. In TX and CX districts if relief from any condition in subsection (e)(5)
 is needed.

 (5) Relief. – Relief from any conditions in 118-93 (e) (1) is granted through the
 Zoning Board of Approvals.

(f) Existing limited-service restaurants are allowed with a special use permit in the M3
district and may rebuild, modernize, and/or add outdoor dining if the Plan Commission
deems that the restaurant is operated and maintained in a manner consistent with the
purpose of the district. All new restaurants are prohibited in this district except in
retail planned developments.
(g) Drive-through facilities are prohibited at carryout and full-service restaurants.

(Ord. No. 09-5-C-3674, § 1, 5-4-2009; Ord. No. 15-5-C-4142, § 3, 5-4-2015; Ord. No.
19-4-C-4451, § 1, 4-15-2



Fee Schedule.

Per the Village’s Annual Outdoor Dining Permit Application, the fees associated with a
permit are listed below. These are annual permit fees, which will require repayment
upon the outdoor dining request each year.

Private property only- $200

Public right-of-way only- $400

Both private and public right-of-way- $500

Application fees to request a variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals are $400 plus a
$90 covenant recording fee.

Plan Commission Meeting Minutes
 Date: June 6, 2024


PLAN COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT: Paul Luke - Chair
 Scott Berman, Vijai Gupta,
 Tali Gevaryahu, and
 Erica Crohn-Minchella




PLAN COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT: Jeff Burman, Vice-Chair,
 Cindy Franklin, and Ross Mathee

There is 1 vacancy on the Commission.


STAFF PRESENT: Tyler Kobylski, Asst Corp. Counsel,
 Johanna Nyden, Community Dev. Dir.,
 Jose Acosta, Planning Coordinator,
 Justin Malone, Neighborhood & Housing
 Coordinator, Joe Maschek, Appearance
 Commissioner & Housing Sub-
 Committee member, and
 Marlene Bargamian, Admin Asst.


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

(II) APPROVAL OF MINUTES
 A motion to approve the minutes of the May 16, 2024 meeting was made by
 Commissioner Scott Berman and seconded by Commissioner Tali Gevaryahu.

 Ayes: Unanimous voice vote. The motion passes.

(III) RULING ON NOTICE
 Assistant Corporation Counsel Kobylski determined that notices were proper and
 correct in all cases.

(IV) CASE DESCRIPTIONS
 Case 2024-13P – Comprehensive Plan Chapter Amendment: Housing



# 620004 Plan Commission meeting minutes June 6, 2024
 The Village Manager of the Village of Skokie is requesting a Comprehensive
 Plan Chapter Amendment to Chapter 6 – Housing to update and revise themes
 that cater to the future housing needs of Skokie residents. After discussion and
 community input, the Housing Sub-Committee of the Plan Commission has
 drafted an update to the Village of Skokie’s Comprehensive Plan Housing
 Chapter.

 Joe Maschek, member of the Appearance Commission and Housing Sub-
 Committee of the Plan Commission presented the draft of the new Housing
 Chapter of the Comprehensive Plan.

 He gave a brief background of the Housing Sub-Committee which was
 established by the Village Board and formed from members of various
 commissions, committees, and community members to review, discuss, and
 provide recommendations for a new Housing Chapter of the Comprehensive
 Plan.

 They held seven meetings from October 2023 through May 2024 where they
 brainstormed and revised the current chapter. They held community events, and
 created a survey online as well as distributed paper copies.

 They focused on 4 main themes: community enhancement to support a greater
 sense of community in the neighborhoods; flexibility in housing types allowing
 a broader mix of housing development; reasonable standards that cater to the
 needs of current families and assists longtime residents and homeowners; and
 reinvest and retain to encourage a variety of housing types through housing
 policy and supporting adaptive reuse and modifications to existing housing stock.

 Vijai Gupta was hoping to find specific language addressing affordability. It was
 explained that the Comprehensive Plan is viewed more as a guide map and is
 not designed to have specific housing policies as an ordinance.

 Commissioner Berman commented that Skokie, with it’s1950s housing,
 continues to grow but should be flexible and encourage ADUs (accessory
 dwelling unit) with Village guidance.

 Mr. Maschek acknowledged and thanked staff for assistance with researching
 and supplying demographic and population information. He had nothing more to
 add and is hoping for a positive recommendation from the Plan Commission.

 Case 2024-16P – Special Use Permit: 8266 Lincoln Avenue
 8266 Lincoln, LLC, on behalf of RPL Lincoln, LLC, requests a special use permit
 for a child day care not in a residence in a TX Mixed-Use zoning district, relief
 from §118-184(a) to provide two 5’ side yards rather than the required 6’

# 620004 Plan Commission meeting minutes June 6, 2024
 minimum, relief from §118-212(a)(1) to provide a 16’-wide aisle width adjacent to
 90° parking spaces rather than the required 24’, relief from §118-212(i)(10) to
 provide a 3’-wide walkway at the rear of a building or structure behind which aisle
 parking provided rather than the required 5’ minimum, relief from §118-185(c)(6)
 to have less than 50% of the wall area that is between 2 and 12 feet above grade
 be occupied by windows and/or entry doors, and relief from §118-233(e) to
 provide no parking lot trees rather than 1 tree for every 15 parking spaces within
 the interior of the parking area, and any other relief that may be discovered
 during the review of this case.
 PIN: 10-21-404-014-0000

 Glen Udell, attorney for RPL Lincoln, LLC presented the case and introduced the
 developer, Paul Leongas, and Matt Knopf of Higher Ground Education of which
 Guidepost Montessori School is a subsidiary.

 They are requesting a special use permit for a single tenant (Guidepost
 Montessori School) in a new 2-story building on this property. Guidepost is
 corporate owned and known worldwide with130 locations in China, Spain, Austria
 as well as locations in the USA and Canada. They will provide learning
 experiences for up to 151 children age 6 months to 6 years with a staff of 17.

 The chairman asked what attracted them to the site. Mr. Knopf stated that he is
 familiar with the area being a resident of the north side of Chicago and from
 working in the industry, knows the long wait lists that are generated for well-run
 educational facilities. He also mentioned that they usually like to locate close to
 elementary schools and near Whole Foods.

 Jose Acosta, Planning Coordinator, requested that the staff report be accepted
 as amended. Of the 5 items of relief that were originally included in this proposal,
 staff found that relief requested to allow a 3’ walkway at the rear of a building
 rather than the required 5’ is not necessary when the parking layout and walkway
 from the site plan was examined further. Therefore, only 4 items of relief were
 discussed. Staff is supportive of the request.

 According to the Village Code, the parking requirement for a day care facility of
 this size not in a residence is 23 parking spaces. However, only 7 off-street
 parking spaces can be provided. Relief from the parking requirement cannot be
 applied for because the property is in a mixed-use district. As a result, a
 “payment in lieu” into the parking fund is needed prior to the issuance of building
 permits for the shortage of 16 parking spaces. Staff did note that there is street
 parking on Lincoln and on Laramie Avenues. There are 3 spaces directly in front
 of the building on Lincoln to be designated at drop-off & pick-up spaces.




# 620004 Plan Commission meeting minutes June 6, 2024
 Other items of relief include (2) 5’ side yards on the north & south lot lines
 instead of the required 6’; 16’ wide drive aisle adjacent to 90° parking rather than
 the required 24’; having at least 50% of wall area between 2’ and 12‘above grade
 by windows and/or entry doors; and lastly, no parking lot tree necessary due to
 the lack of space.

 Commissioner Scott Berman asked to have building elevations displayed. He
 commented that the 2-story brick building shows no emergency exit or windows
 along the side elevations allowing air and light. He inquired if the case has gone
 before the Appearance Commission. Staff informed the commissioners that the
 case will still need to obtain a Certificate of Appropriateness from the
 Appearance Commission before it is sent to the Trustees of the Village Board for
 final disposition. Mr. Berman stated his reluctance in voting on this case now as
 he doesn’t wish to pre-empt the Appearance Commission’s decision.

 Another commissioner, Vijai Gupta, asked about an evacuation plan. Community
 Development Director Nyden, stated that the Fire Dept. reviewed the plans and
 signed off on them.

 Tali Gevaryahu asked about any traffic concerns with drop-off & pick-up. Mr.
 Knopf offered that the school has a staggered plan in place allowing a 2 ½ hour
 window in the morning for drop-off (7:30 AM to 10:00 AM) and a 3 ½ hour pick-up
 window (2:30 PM to 6:00PM) to avoid any congestion. He also reiterated that
 beyond the 7 spaces in the parking lot, there is 90-minute street parking on
 Lincoln and parking on Laramie as well as the 3 spaces in front of the building.
 The Traffic Engineering Department considered the parking plan to be adequate.

 Erica Minchella commented that parents don’t just drop off their kids and go –
 they walk their children into a building and get them settled in. She also
 cautioned that staggering starting and pick-up times for families with multiple
 children won’t work if the staggering is done by age.

 Ms. Nyden added that there are various parking lots for downtown business’
 employees to park such as on Floral Avenue and at the train station. She has
 worked with Guidepost in a different municipality where they have a similar set-
 up with enrollment numbers and only 3 parking spaces. She also mentioned that
 people from the neighborhood often walk their children to school. It is also
 possible that one car could take two children. Parking issues could be modified if
 a problem arises.

 Mr. Knopf acknowledged that at their downtown Chicago and Wicker Park
 locations, there is no parking. At Montessori schools, the bell does not ring for
 the start or end of the school day. The curriculum is individual guided learning so
 the staggered timing helps and kids begin when they arrive. In the family

# 620004 Plan Commission meeting minutes June 6, 2024
 orientation packet, drop-off and pick-up procedures are included. He also
 informed the commission that they have staff that use public transit.

 There were no interested parties in the audience and no public comments
 received.

 Case 2024-17P – Zoning Chapter Amendment: Modifications to Outdoor
 Dining Regulations
 The Village of Skokie requests modifications to §118-93 Food Establishments
 and Food Service Requirements of the Skokie Village Code to amend certain
 outdoor dining regulations and any other modifications that may be required as
 determined by Village staff during the review of this case.

 Justin Malone, Neighborhood & Housing Coordinator, presented the case and
 requested the staff report to be accepted into the record as written.

 There has been a lot of interest in adding outdoor dining components to
 restaurants since the pandemic. There have been 2 cases recently which came
 to staff’s attention that prompted a review of outdoor dining regulations. Currently
 outdoor dining is only allowed as a permitted use in TX, CX, B3, B4, and H1
 zoning districts. An appearance before the Plan Commission and Village Board is
 required to obtain a special use permit for an outdoor patio in NX, B1, B2, B6,
 and M1 zoning districts.

 With an interest in expediting the process and eliminating additional fees and
 time, a change is being proposed to grant outdoor dining as a permitted use in all
 commercial and mixed-use zoning districts with staff level approval. Any
 application requesting relief from the standard outdoor dining regulations
 (extended hours, season, or building structure) would necessitate a meeting
 before the Zoning Board for approval.

 The chairman commented that it is a hurdle to go to several meetings just for an
 outdoor dining area approval and asked if the process would become simplified
 with just an annual renewal fee, if approved.

 Commissioner Berman asked if the rules would still apply regarding hours, noise,
 and trash. Commissioner Gupta suggested keeping administrative control
 through timely inspections.

 Chairman Luke mentioned the downtown restaurant that occupies on-street
 parking spaces for its outdoor space. It seems to be a very popular option. He
 asked if they would need to go before the Zoning Board going forward. Ms.
 Nyden stated that they are not taking up required parking spaces and the Village
 Manager gave them permission.

# 620004 Plan Commission meeting minutes June 6, 2024
(V) RECOMMENDATIONS AND VOTING
 Case 2024-13P
 A motion was made to accept the draft of updated Comprehensive Plan Chapter
 6: Housing.

 Motion: Crohn-Minchella Second: Gupta

 Ayes: 5
 Nays: 0


 Case 2024-16P
 A motion was made to approve as amended the request for a child day care not
 in a residence at 8266 Lincoln Avenue in a TX Mixed-Use zoning district.

 Motion: Gevaryahu Second: Crohn-Minchella

 Ayes: 5
 Nays: 0

 A motion was made to accept the 4 items of relief:
 §118-184(a) to provide two 5’ side yards rather than the required 6’ minimum,

 §118-212(a)(1) to provide a 16’-wide aisle width adjacent to 90° parking spaces
 rather than the required 24’,

 §118-185(c)(6) to have less than 50% of the wall area that is between 2 and 12
 feet above grade be occupied by windows and/or entry doors, and

 §118-233(e) to provide no parking lot trees rather than 1 tree for every 15 parking
 spaces within the interior of the parking area,


 Motion: Berman Second: Gevaryahu

 Ayes: 5
 Nays: 0




# 620004 Plan Commission meeting minutes June 6, 2024
 Case 2024-17P
 A motion was made to approve the modifications to §118-93 Food
 Establishments and Food Service Requirements of the Skokie Village Code to
 amend certain outdoor dining regulations.

 Motion: Berman Second: Gupta

 Ayes: 5
 Nays: 0


(VI) ITEMS FOR COMMUNICATION
 There is no meeting on June 20, 2024 and, of course, July 4, 2024.
 The next regularly scheduled meeting will take place on July 18, 2024.

(VII) ADJOURNMENT
 Chair Luke adjourned the meeting at 8:41 PM.

 Respectfully submitted,
 Marlene Bargamian,
 Administrative Assistant




# 620004 Plan Commission meeting minutes June 6, 2024