Plan Commission

Plan Commission Meeting Minutes Date: March 18, 2021 A motion was made by Commissioner Burman and seconded by Commissioner Pure-Slovin to approve the minutes of the January 21, 2021 Plan Commission meeting. The chairman read the following statement into the record. Until further notice, meetings of the Skokie Plan Commission will be electronically, with a majority of members participating via remote access in order to comply with the State of Illinois Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamation. Members of the public who wish to comment as to an item on the published legal notice must submit their statement or question in writing to Steve Marciani at steve.marciani@skokie.org and all properly submitted statements or questions will be presented and read during the relevant portion of the meeting. Written comments also may be submitted by email to citizencomments@skokie.org ; by mail to Village of Skokie, Attn: Matt Brandmeyer, Ex Officio Plan Commissioner, 5127 Oakton Street, Skokie, IL 60077; or via the Village’s drop box (no later than noon the day of the meeting) located by the public entry to Village Hall. The chairman called the roll to confirm a quorum. All commissioners were present. Case Descriptions: 2021-01P – Alley Vacation: 9965 Gross Point Road RainbowBend Properties, LLC, is requesting to vacate a portion of the northeast-southwest alley that runs behind 9965 Gross Point Road. 2021-02P- Subdivision: 9965 Gross Point Road and 4101 Old Orchard Road RainbowBend Properties, LLC, is requesting a 1-lot subdivision of 9965 Gross Point Road, 4101 Old Orchard Road and an alley that has been requested to be vacated, as well as a dedication of 4’ of additional alley width to the existing east-west and north-south alleys adjacent to the site. 2021-03P – Site Plan Approval: 9965 Gross Point Road and 4101 Old Orchard Road RainbowBend Properties, LLC, is requesting a site plan approval for a 2-building development and any relief that may be discovered during the review of this case. 2021-04P- Special Use Permit: 4101 Old Orchard Road RainbowBend Properties, LLC, is requesting a special use permit for an event center, classified as a bar and drinking place, in a B2 Commercial district and any relief that may be discovered during the review of this case. 2021-05P- Special Use Permit: 4101 Old Orchard Road RainbowBend Properties, LLC, is requesting a special use permit for outdoor dining and any relief that may be discovered during the review of this case. 585863 Plan Commission meeting minutes for Case 2021-01P on 3-18-2021 PINs: 10-10-403-001-0000 through 10-10-403-013-0000 and 10-10-403-036-0000 Discussion and Interested Parties Legal notice was advertised, posted, and delivered to property owners in the area as prescribed by the Zoning Chapter. Corporation Counsel determined that notice was proper and correct. William Graham, sole member of RainbowBend Properties, and owner of Schaefer’s Liquors along with Nathan Anderson, architect from OKW Architects presented the cases. Schaefer’s Liquors has been operating as a family business for the last 85 years. Mr. Graham has been the owner for the last 12 years along with a third-generation member of the original Schaefer family. The building at 4101 Old Orchard Road was purchased for storage of inventory and is used as the location for their annual wine warehouse sale. There is a lot of competition in the liquor business with Binny’s and Costco. He wants to keep his branded reputation but had the idea to turn the underutilized warehouse into an event space to be rented out for gatherings such as parties or meetings for up to 100 people while still using the space for their wine sale. After 7 PM, when Schaefer’s closes, the parking lot is empty. There also would be an outdoor patio adding an al fresco component. Beverages would be bought and supplied from Schaefer’s, but a separate caterer would needed as a kitchen is not provided; only a plating area. Other elements of the project include the vacation of a portion of the northeast-southwest alley that runs behind Schaefer’s; a subdivision into a single lot of 9965 Gross Point Road and 4101 Old Orchard Road with a dedication of 4’ of additional alley to widen the existing east-west and north-south alleys adjacent to the site; a site plan approval for the 2-building development; and special use permits for an event space classified as a bar and drinking place which offers an outdoor dining patio. A commissioner wanted an explanation of how they were going to turn an existing warehouse into an event space. Mr. Anderson stated that they were planning on upgrading and modernizing the site to be “warehouse chic” by adding track lighting, air conditioning, putting in an additional garage door and other improvements. The patio will be landscaped and fenced along the western boundary. They also will relocate the trash enclosure further away from the neighbors. Another commissioner asked if the mature tree will stay or be removed. The tree is rooted in concrete and they will try to save it if possible. Another commissioner inquired if multiple events can take place at the same time. Mr. Graham stated that there will be only 1 event at a time. The room will have a flexible seating arrangement; banquet style or up to 8 round tables. A commissioner asked about a curfew for special events. A 10 PM curfew for outside events will be followed per Village regulations while indoor parties could go on later. As the space will be air conditioned, the garage doors can be closed to ensure that best efforts are made to control sound. Staff requested that reports be accepted as presented and stated support for the project. 585863 Plan Commission meeting minutes for Case 2021-01P on 3-18-2021 The portion of the alley to be vacated, which has functioned as a part of Schaefer’s parking lot, will allow a more efficient parking layout and increase the number of parking spaces on the site. The homeowners of 9925 Kedvale Avenue have no interest in ownership of their portion of the alley. The vacated alley will become part of the lot in the subdivision case. The dedication of 4’ of additional alley width will increase the width of the commercial portion of the alley from 16’ to 20’ and provide adequate backing out space. Site plan approval is necessary when there is more than 1 principle building on a site. There were neighbor concerns regarding potential parking problems spilling onto neighborhood streets. Staff worked very hard with the petitioner making changes to the submitted plans to increase landscaping and parking spaces. Based on the Schaefer’s floor plan, the most restrictive parking requirements were met as condition for the special use permit for the bar and drinking place. A condition was included that requires employees to park on-site in the south lot. The outdoor patio was placed in area furthest away from the residential homes, will have significant landscaping and screening along with a board on board fence. The entrance has also been moved to the side of the building. A commissioner asked if the patio would be curbed for protection. Mr. Anderson stated that parking won’t be impinged, and planters will be 2 ft back and act as moveable wheel stops. There were citizen concerns emailed to the Commission that were entered into the record regarding parking on the residential streets, noise, infestation of rats, and depreciated home values. Lena Esho resides at 9943 Karlov Avenue. As a homeowner, parent, and tax-payer, she voiced her concerns in person. Living close to the liquor stores (Schaefer’s and Tony’s), she spoke of the liquor bottles she has found in the alley as well as people wandering around after drinking. How can she protect her property and vehicles? The corner of Karlov Avenue and Gross Point Road is usually quiet and dead. Who does she call if things get out of hand? She also mentioned that a resident lives 100 feet from the patio. The chairman told her to call police if a party needs to be shut down. Mr. Graham responded that per Village Code, the outdoor dining season is from April through October only and pointed out that Karlov Avenue is not being used for ingress or egress. Schafer’s closes at 7 PM while Tony’s closes at 10PM. Staff added that the Fire Department sets the capacity and during the review of the case, they pushed the activity westward; away from the residences. There will be new windows and the requirement that the garage doors must stay down during events. The parking requirement was figured the same as a sit-down restaurant. The chairman asked about live music or a DJ. The petitioner said music as well as alcohol will not be allowed on the patio and must be inside the space. A commissioner commented that the event space will not be another “UBAA”. It is not a bar that is open every night. He also asked if a Schaefer’s employee will be on site during events to watch for poor behavior. The petitioner answered in the affirmative. 585863 Plan Commission meeting minutes for Case 2021-01P on 3-18-2021 In closing, Mr. Graham thanked everyone for their hard work and stated that they are a happy Skokie business and wants to stay that way. Recommendations and Voting Motions were made to approve staff’s recommendations to approve the petitioner’s requests for each case. Case 2021-01P - Alley Vacation: 9965 Gross Point Road Approved as presented. Motion: Mitchell Second: Burman Ayes: 9 Nays: 0 Case 2021-02P – Subdivision: 9965 Gross Point Road and 4101 Old Orchard Road Approved as presented. Motion: Mitchell Second: Pure-Slovin Ayes: 9 Nays: 0 Case 2021-03P – Site Plan Approval: 9965 Gross Point Road and 4101 Old Orchard Road Approved as amended by staff for setback relief along the garage and alley. Motion: Mitchell Second: Franklin Ayes: 9 Nays: 0 Case 2021-04P – Special Use Permit: 4101 Old Orchard Road Approved as presented. Motion: Robinson Second: Mathee Ayes: 9 Nays: 0 Case 2021-05P – Special Use Permit: 4101 Old Orchard Road Approved as presented. Motion: Pure-Slovin Second: Franklin Ayes: 9 Nays: 0 585863 Plan Commission meeting minutes for Case 2021-01P on 3-18-2021  Plan Commission Meeting Minutes Date: March 18, 2021 A motion was made by Commissioner Burman and seconded by Commissioner Pure-Slovin to approve the minutes of the January 21, 2021 Plan Commission meeting. The chairman read the following statement into the record. Until further notice, meetings of the Skokie Plan Commission will be electronically, with a majority of members participating via remote access in order to comply with the State of Illinois Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamation. Members of the public who wish to comment as to an item on the published legal notice must submit their statement or question in writing to Steve Marciani at steve.marciani@skokie.org and all properly submitted statements or questions will be presented and read during the relevant portion of the meeting. Written comments also may be submitted by email to citizencomments@skokie.org ; by mail to Village of Skokie, Attn: Matt Brandmeyer, Ex Officio Plan Commissioner, 5127 Oakton Street, Skokie, IL 60077; or via the Village’s drop box (no later than noon the day of the meeting) located by the public entry to Village Hall. The chairman called the roll to confirm a quorum. All commissioners were present. Case Descriptions: 2021-06P – Special Use Permit: 3900 Dempster Street DD Pacini, LLC, is requesting a special use permit for a new construction limited service restaurant with a drive-through facility in a B2 Commercial district and any relief that may be discovered during the review of this case. 2021-07P – Special Use Permit: 3900 Dempster Street DD Pacini, LLC, is requesting a special use permit for outdoor dining and any relief that may be discovered during the review of this case. PIN: 10-14-309-070-0000 Discussion and Interested Parties Legal notice was advertised, posted, and delivered to property owners in the area as prescribed by the Zoning Chapter. Corporation Counsel determined that notice was proper and correct. The local business franchisee, Reena Panjwani Khowaja, and architect, Steve Kolber of Kolbrook Design, Inc. presented the cases. The current Dunkin Donuts has been a tenant of the subject site for 10-15 years and the 60-70-year old building has served its useful life. It will be demolished and a new Dunkin Donuts with a drive-through facility which meets updated corporate standards will take its place with a slightly larger footprint. The new building is being pushed a little further north and a small 3-table patio for outdoor dining 585851 Plan Commission meeting minutes for Case 2021-06P on 3-18-2021 will be provided. They are confident that the new site plan will offer a more efficient drive- through experience and creates a better parking layout. Staff requested that the reports be accepted into the record as presented. The complex of buildings, at 1 time, was all under single ownership with shared access drives and parking. Staff worked very hard with the petitioner to design the presented plan and is in support of the requests. The new plan increases parking, improves traffic circulation and site landscaping will be significantly improved. It will also continue the trend of new investment on this retail block. A commissioner asked if there were any citizen comments regarding the case. Staff replied that only 1 call came in from across Dempster Street; just being curious. There were no other public comments. Another commissioner wanted verification that trash collection & receptacles were addressed in the list of conditions. Staff referred to Conditions 7 & 8 in the new construction report and Conditions 3 & 5 in the outdoor dining report. The chairman asked about the timeline. They hope to start as soon as they can with a completion in early fall 2021. Recommendations and Voting Motions were made to approve staff’s recommendation to approve the petitioner’s requests for special use permits for a new construction limited service restaurant with a drive- through facility and outdoor dining at 3900 Dempster Street in a B2 Commercial district, subject to the recommended conditions. Case 2021-06P: New limited service restaurant with drive-through facility Motion: Mitchell Second: Mathee Ayes: 9 Nays: 0 Case 2021-07P: Outdoor dining Motion: Robinson Second: Pure-Slovin Ayes: 9 Nays: 0 585851 Plan Commission meeting minutes for Case 2021-06P on 3-18-2021