Appearance Commission

Meeting Minutes for Appearance Commission April 9th, 2025 | 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 Archana Shah Maryjane Klein Jay Pathak 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 Naumiak to approve the minutes of the March 26th, 2025 Appearance Commission meeting. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Pathak. All members voted aye. 3) New Business 2025-008A – 4416 Concord Ln (Residential) Applicant & Owner: Daniel Wiewel & Lisa Milosavljevic Request: 1st floor addition Discussion & Interested Parties Staff comments were read into the record. Chairman Lynk asked the Commissioners if they had any comment on the proposal, the Commissioners had none. Commissioner Maschek stated that this would be an improvement to a unique street. Recommendation & Voting 626490  A motion was made to grant a Certificate of Appropriateness as presented. The vote was unanimous. Motion: Maryjane Klein Second: Julie Naumiak Ayes: 7 Nays: 0 2025-009A – 8158 Floral Ave (Residential) Applicant: Emily Reidy Owner: Liz & Jeff Henderson Request: 2nd floor addition Discussion & Interested Parties Staff comments were read into the record. Commissioner DaMario asked the petitioner if they will be enclosing the deck on the second floor, the petitioner confirmed this to be true and stated that materials will match existing. Recommendation & Voting A motion was made to grant a Certificate of Appropriateness as presented. The vote was unanimous. Motion: Thomas DaMario Second: Jay Pathak Ayes: 7 Nays: 0 2025-010A – 3506 Lake St (Residential) Applicant & Owner: Erika Storlie Request: 2nd floor addition Discussion & Interested Parties Staff comments were read into the record. Commissioner Lynk asked if any of the Commissioners have comments on the proposal. Commissioner Joe Maschek mentioned that he is pleased with the color and the larger windows proposed. 626490  Recommendation & Voting A motion was made to grant a Certificate of Appropriateness as presented. The vote was unanimous. Motion: Julie Naumiak Second: Jay Pathak Ayes: 7 Nays: 0 2025-011A – 7840 Kildare Ave (Residential) Applicant: Jerry Pysz Owner: Mark & Betsy White Request: 1st and 2nd floor addition Discussion & Interested Parties Staff comments were read into the record. Chairman Lynk asked the petitioner if he understand the parking requirement as outlined in the code. The petitioner confirmed that he understands. Recommendation & Voting A motion was made to grant a Certificate of Appropriateness as presented subject to zoning review. The vote was unanimous. Motion: Jay Pathak Second: Julie Naumiak Ayes:7 Nays:0 2025-006A – 9323 Skokie Blvd (Non-Residential) Applicant: Tony Zanlungo / Light Rx Med Spa Owner: SK investments Skokie Chicago LLC Request: signage requiring a variation. Discussion & Interested Parties Staff comments were read into the record. Chairman Lynk asked if the petitioners were present at the meeting, they were not, the case is continued. The case will be heard at the May 14th, 2025 Appearance Commission Meeting. 626490  2025-012A –9410-9466 Skokie Blvd (Non-Residential) Applicant: Keely Damm Owner: CMK2 Old Orchard LLC Request: Façade Discussion & Interested Parties Staff comments were read into the record. Chairman Lynk asked if the proposed improvements encompass the entire strip mall. The applicant confirmed that everything will be improved except for the Ross storefront. Commissioner DaMario requested that the petitioner talk about the materials. The petitioner explained that they will use a thin brick panels that will stick onto the existing portion of the building. Commissioner Maschek asked if all of the signage will be placed within the passive grey sections. The petitioner confirmed this to be accurate and explains that all signage will stay the same size and be repaired. Recommendation & Voting A motion was made to grant a Certificate of Appropriateness as presented subject to zoning review. The vote was unanimous. Motion: Joe Maschek Second: Jay Pathak Ayes:7 Nays:0 2025-013A – 5533 Touhy Ave (Non-Residential) Applicant: David Sloan Owner: Minnie Bird LLC Request: façade and signage Discussion & Interested Parties Staff comments were read into the record. Chairman Lynk asked the petitioner if this restaurant is part of chain, the petitioner confirmed that there is one other restaurant. Commissioner Maschek asked if the utility door and window is already existing, visible from Touhy Avenue. Brian Augustine, presiding officer, confirmed that it is a utility door and window with graphics that serves a bathroom. Commissioner DaMario asked if the other half of the building has a tenant, Mr. Augustine, the presiding officer, confirms that it is being occupied by a bank. 626490  Commissioner Maschek mentioned that he is glad to see that the outdoor space is being improved. Recommendation & Voting A motion was made to grant a Certificate of Appropriateness as presented with the encouragement of adding additional landscaping to the Touhy Avenue façade. The vote was unanimous. Motion: Joe Maschek Second: Thomas DaMario Ayes:7 Nays:0 2024-049A – 7852 Lincoln Ave (Mixed-Use) Applicant: Yung-Wu Chen Owner: DDMBA Chicago Chapter Request: Mixed-use building Discussion & Interested Parties Staff comments were read into the record. Chairman Lynk prefaced the discussion by clarifying that the purview of the Appearance Commission is the exterior appearance of the building and will not entertain any public comment regarding zoning or parking. The project architect explained the building layout and exterior features including glass panels, community garden, and aluminum grills that serves a shading. The second floor will contain channel glass, which is more of a frosted glass to provide privacy. Majority of the building façade is precast concrete panels. Chairman Lynk asked the project architect what the channel glass he referred to looks like. The architect explains it is more of a frosted glass that provides additional privacy to the first and third floor. Chairman Lynk inquired about light omitting from the building and how it would affect the neighboring properties to the south. The architect explains that due to the south elevation abutting the alley being majority precast concrete panels, the light from the building will have little impact on neighboring properties. Commissioner Maschek and Commissioner Klein requested to see a landscape plan part of the proposal. The architect mentioned that there is no landscape plan, but there is a 626490  garden that is proposed as part of this project. Commissioner Maschek suggested that the petitioners consider relocating the position of the bike rack and adding more landscaping. Mr.Chen, the project applicant, explained that their landscape plan contains the Commissioner Maschek recommended the petitioner to add more shade trees. And commented that he would like to see more windows on the Lincoln Avenue elevation, as it is now, it appears stark. The petitioner explained that the there are less windows on the Lincoln Avenue elevation due to the use of the interior space, which requires more privacy and controlled lighting for meditations. After hearing public comment, Commissioner Naumiak commented that she is very familiar with this neighborhood and thinks that it is a massive structure that is out of place for this neighborhood. Commissioner Klein agrees with this statement. Chairman Lynk shared that he is conflicted with this proposal since many religious assembly uses are located in residential districts, where local residents often find issues with larger buildings in their neighborhoods. It is a use that is allowed by right, but often times residents feel as though they are being affected one way or another by these structures, so it is difficult to comment on it. Commissioner Maschek shared that he would like to see more glass on the Lincoln avenue elevation in addition to improved landscaping plans. Chairman Lynk asked the petitioner to address some of the comments heard and present improvements to the elevations on Lincoln Avenue and the alley. Recommendation & Voting No vote was taken, the case was continued to the May 14th, 2025 Appearance Commission meeting. 4) Old Business 5) Communication from Staff 6) Public Comment Paul Lucas, a neighbor on Babb Avenue, explained that the proposed building in its mass and its appearance does not fit in with the aesthetics of the neighborhood. He described it as stark and stated that it does not belong on the block. Mrs. Kim, a resident on Babb avenue, presented her arguments to the Commission and mentioned concerns with security and neighborhood compatibility. Mrs. Kim shared that 626490  the building has a stark and institutional design and believes that the building appears more like a detention center than a residence and does not fit in with the aesthetics of the neighborhood. Chairman Lynk, reiterated that the Commission is only concerned with the appearance of the building and will not consider or listen to any concerns over parking or other unrelated matters to the building aesthetics. James Kim, another Babb Avenue resident, shared concerns with the building height. Brian Augustine, clarified that the building height is permitted under site plan approval, which was approved by the Plan Commission. Tony Vicil, a resident on Babb avenue, shared that the building does not fit in to the neighborhood and believes it will be an eye sore. 7) Adjournment Meeting adjourned at 9:02 PM Respectfully Submitted Jose Acosta, Planning Coordinator 626490