Appearance Commission

Meeting Minutes for Appearance Commission December 11, 2024 | 7:30 PM Skokie Village Hall | 5127 Oakton Street, Skokie IL 60077 | Council Chambers Members Present: Michael Lynk, Chair Thomas DaMario, Vice Chair Joe Maschek Julie Naumiak Jay Pathak Archana Shah Maryjane Klein Members Absent: Presiding Officer: Brian Augustine, Zoning Administrator Staff Present: Jose Acosta, Planning Coordinator Others Present: 1) Time Meeting was Called to Order/Declaration of Quorum A quorum being present, Chairman Lynk called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM. 2) Approval of Meeting Minutes A motion was made by Commissioner Maschek to approve the minutes of the November 13, 2024 Appearance Commission meeting. The motion was seconded by Commissioner DaMario. All members voted aye with one absence. 3) Old Business 2024-030A – 7701 Laramie Avenue (Residential) Applicant: David Ansani Owner: Jinder Singh Request: 2nd floor addition Discussion & Interested Parties Staff comments were read into the record. The petitioner reminded the Commissioners of the previous Appearance Commission meeting where they had commented that they would like to see a mix of Hardie Board material and brick on the building façade rather than the predominantly brick elevation that was previously proposed. The petitioner clarified that they will now be using brick for the first floor and a six (6) inch Hardie Board cementitious siding for the 2nd floor 623690  Chairman Lynk asked to clarify that although the renderings and elevations being presented before the Commission do not show first-floor brick and second floor Hardie board being proposed, that this will be the case for their proposal. The petitioner confirms that this is accurate. Chairman Lynk asked the petitioner if the proposed brick on the addition will match the existing brick. The petitioner confirmed that they will match the existing brick. Commissioner DaMario requested to see a sample of the Hardie Board material being used for the proposal. Chairman Lynk asked the petitioner to clarify what color will be used for the Hardie Board Material since the rendering appears to be a yellow color. The petitioner clarified that they will be using more of a white color. Commissioner Maschek asked to clarify if the Hardie board material will have a wood finish as stated in the submittals. The petitioner confirms this to be accurate. Commissioner Maschek commented that this proposal is an improvement from their previous submittal and is glad to see that the petitioner took into consideration staff comments. Recommendation & Voting A motion was made to grant a Certificate of Appropriateness with the provision that the first floor be entirely brick material and second floor be composed of fiber cement lap siding in the Sherwin-Williams “Snow White” color. The vote was unanimous with one absence. Motion: Thomas DaMario Second: Jay Pathak Ayes: 6 Nays: 0 Absent: 1 4) New Business 2024-052A – 5047 Culver Street (Residential) Applicant & Owner: Joseph Kirsch Request: 2nd floor addition Discussion & Interested Parties Staff comments were read into the record. Brian Augustine, the presiding officer, clarified the location of the proposed addition for the Commissioners. Chairman Lynk asked the petitioner if they will be matching existing siding. The petitioner clarified that the image they were looking at was a rendering and the existing façade contains a “yellow-ish” brick and a white siding. 623690  Commissioner DaMario asked if the façade will be painted a different color based on the rendering provided. The petitioner clarified that they will stain the brick as it is healthier for the brick and will be replacing all of the siding. Recommendation & Voting A motion was made to grant a Certificate of Appropriateness as presented. The vote was unanimous with one absence. Motion: Joe Maschek Second: Jay Pathak Ayes:6 Nays:0 Absent: 1 2024-053A – 4609 Elm Terrace (Residential) Applicant: Danielle Scaccia of Archadeck of Chicagoland Owner: Susan Phillips Request: 1st floor addition Discussion & Interested Parties Staff comments were read into the record. Chairman Lynk asked to clarify if the section of the elevations with the four windows is the extent of the addition. The petitioner confirmed this to be accurate. Chairman Lynk also asked the petitioner if they will be matching existing material. The petitioner confirmed that they will use cedar lap siding and will stain the siding to match the existing color. Recommendation & Voting A motion was made to grant a Certificate of Appropriateness as presented. The vote was unanimous. Motion: Archana Shah Second: Julie Naumiak Ayes: 7 Nays: 0 2024-054A – 5011 Estes Avenue (Residential) Applicant & Owner: Admir Rosic Request: 2nd floor addition Discussion & Interested Parties Staff comments were read into the record. 623690  Commissioner Maschek continued with the motion granting the Certificate of Appropriateness given there was no comment from the Commission. Recommendation & Voting A motion was made to grant a Certificate of Appropriateness as presented. The vote was unanimous. Motion: Joe Maschek Second: Archana Shah Ayes: 7 Nays: 0 2024-055A – 50 Williamsburg Road (Residential) Applicant: Tom Bassett-Dilley Architects, Mark Melvin Owner: Scott Cooper & Mutsuko Sugita Request: 1st and 2nd floor addition Discussion & Interested Parties Staff comments were read into the record. The petitioner explained that they proposed to include a significant amount of masonry on the east elevation behind the existing chimney to conform with the 51% masonry requirement. Commissioner Maschek commented that he agrees with the proposal and thinks it is a good solution to meet the masonry requirement. Commissioner Naumiak commented that she is not in favor of the solar panels on the south elevation. The presiding officer, Mr. Brian Augustine, commented that the petitioner could have submitted materials not showing the solar panels and then applied for a permit and they would still be allowable, clarifying that the solar panels are not in the purview of the Appearance Commission. Commissioner Maschek asked if the brick will match the current existing brick color. The petitioner confirmed that the addition will match the existing color. Chairman Lynk asked if the proposed masonry on the east elevation was a response to the 51 % masonry requirement and comments that he would rather see the previous proposal with less brick shown on the east elevation. The Commissioners discussed the location of the brick on the east elevation and many Commissioners questioned why masonry is not proposed along the first floor instead. The petitioner explained that it ultimately was a stylistic choice and it brought in to question the layout of the rear elevation. 623690  Commissioner DaMario asked if the proposed added masonry is on the same plane as the existing. The petitioner clarified that the masonry is proud about 3 inches from the façade. The petitioner added that their neighborhood is supportive of their proposal. Recommendation & Voting A motion was made to grant a Certificate of Appropriateness as revised and resubmitted. The vote was unanimous. Motion: Joe Maschek Second: Maryjane Klein Ayes: 6 Nays: 1 2024-056A – 4919 Main Street (Non-residential) Applicant: Pickledilly LLC Owner: 4820 & 4910 LTD Request: Signage Discussion and Interested Parties Staff comments were read into the record. Chairman Lynk asked Brian Augustine, the presiding officer, if he can confirm that staff is supportive of the proposal. Mr. Augustine confirmed. Chairman Lynk asked for clarification on what the business does. Chris Canning, the applicant’s attorney and representative clarified that Pickledilly is an indoor pickleball facility. Mr. Canning further mentions that they have been to the Plan Commission for a Special Use Permit and have gone to the Village Board of Trustees for approval. Mr. Canning also mentions that they will be required be heard before the Zoning Board of Appeals due to the size of the signage exceeding what is allowable by the Village of Skokie Sign Code. Recommendation & Voting A motion was made to grant a Certificate of Appropriateness as presented. The vote was unanimous. Motion: Julia Naumiak Second: Jay Pathak Ayes: 7 Nays: 0 623690  5) Approval of 2025 Appearance Commission Meeting Dates Recommendation & Voting A motion was made to approve the dates for the 2025 Appearance Commission as presented. The vote was unanimous. Motion: Julia Naumiak Second: Jay Pathak Ayes: 7 Nays: 0 6) Public Comment There were no members of the public present to provide public comment. 7) Adjournment Meeting adjourned at 8:00 PM Respectfully Submitted Jose Acosta, Planning Coordinator 623690