Plan Commission

Draft Plan Commission Meeting Minutes Date: April 7, 2022 A motion to approve the minutes of the March 17, 2022 Plan Commission meeting was made by Commissioner Franklin, seconded by Commissioner Mathee, and approved by all with a voice vote. Commissioner Burman was acting as chairman for this meeting. Case Description: 2022-13P – Site Plan Approval: 8143 Skokie Boulevard General Capital Group, on behalf of the Village of Skokie, is requesting site plan approval for a demonstration planned development in the CX Core Mixed-Use zoning district that includes a mixed-use building with enclosed parking, and any relief that may be discovered during the review of this case. PIN: 10-22-317-042-0000 Discussion and Interested Parties Legal notice was advertised, posted, and delivered to all property owners within the area as prescribed by the Zoning Chapter. Corporation Counsel determined that notice was proper and correct. Sarah Hillenbrand of General Capital Group, and Benjamin Chung of AG Architecture, presented the case. They are proposing a C-shaped, 4-story, multi-family TOD (transit-oriented development) building consisting of (95) 1- and 2- bedroom residential units which will be located across from the public transit station. There will be 2 stories of parking (114 parking stalls) with access from Cleveland Avenue or through the alley. Sixteen 1st floor parking spaces will be accessible to the public. Retail or commercial uses will locate on the ground floor. Two on-street parking spaces on Cleveland Avenue are being proposed bringing the total parking availability to 116 spaces. Amenities provided for this mid-size development include a fitness center, rooftop deck, club room and dog wash. The Appearance Commission gave them favorable comments at their March 9, 2022 meeting. A commissioner commented that this hard to develop, village owned property has been vacant for a long time due to the shallowness of the lots on Skokie Boulevard. This is the south lot of the 2 vacant parcels which currently is used for parking. Staff requested the report be entered into the record as written. There are a number of relief items being requested for this demonstration project: side yard between 0 and 2 ft along the south building line; alley setback of 2 feet; an increase in FAR to 3.63; 1st floor height of 13 ft; allowing an entrance near the corner instead of at the corner; and allowing 116 parking spaces instead of 119. As the site is located in a TIF redevelopment district, greater flexibility is given as long as it meets the objectives of the district. The applicant had nothing further to add. 597085- April 7, 2022 Plan Commission meeting minutes –Site Plan Approval Recommendations and Voting A motion was made to approve the request of site plan approval for a demonstration planned development in the CX Core Mixed-Use district which includes a mixed-use building and enclosed parking. Motion: Mathee Second: Ousley Absent: Gevaryahu, Lakhani, Luke, & Shah Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 A separate motion was made to accept the items of relief as presented by staff. Motion: Ousley Second: Franklin Absent: Gevaryahu, Lakhani, Luke, & Shah Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 The chairman introduced new members, Peter Ousley and Erica Minchella, to the commission. Welcome comments were expressed by all. 597085- April 7, 2022 Plan Commission meeting minutes –Site Plan Approval  Draft Plan Commission Meeting Minutes Date: April 7, 2022 A motion to approve the minutes of the March 17, 2022 Plan Commission meeting was made by Commissioner Franklin, seconded by Commissioner Mathee, and approved by all with a voice vote. Commissioner Burman was acting as chairman for this meeting. Case Description: 2021-31P – Zoning Chapter Amendment: General Zoning Ordinance Update The Village of Skokie is requesting an amendment to Section 118 of the Skokie Village Code to make changes to the Zoning Ordinance, including revisions to the B4 Regional Shopping District, the addition of Solar Requirements, and other updates and corrections. Discussion and Interested Parties Legal notice was advertised, as prescribed by the Zoning Chapter. Corporation Counsel determined that notice was proper and correct. Staff requested the report be entered into the record as written. New updates to several sections of the Zoning Ordinance are being proposed. Among those updates and changes are: - removing the requirement of public hearing for parking determinations and subdivision requests. These processes can be handled as regular business. - adding the OR district to the site plan approval section; currently industrial districts are not reviewed. - prohibiting window trim lighting other than architectural features due to complaints of unsightliness and disharmony with nearby businesses and the commercial street frontage. - include specific language regarding solar energy systems and panels to allow them as permitted accessory uses. Language to be provided by SolSmart, an industry neutral company, using language from the Wind Energy Systems requirements. - adding a mixed-use component to the regional shopping districts; changing them to RX (regional mixed-use shopping districts) instead of B4. Both regional shopping areas have expressed interest in adding a mixed-use development to their campuses. - changing the location restrictions of a cannabis dispensary to include within 750 feet of Police Headquarters. - sharing of 20% parking spaces between commercial & residential uses within a mixed- use building if their peak times are different. Staff gave a preview of a mixed-use development that is being considered near the industrial area at Touhy & Linder with first floor commercial (where a 2nd cannabis dispensary could be locating) and apartments above. A commissioner commented that language is needed to protect the commercial balance within a regional shopping district like Old Orchard and Village Crossing. 597096- April 7, 2022 Plan Commission meeting minutes –Zoning Chapter Amendment The chairman agreed that Skokie is known for Old Orchard now, but the future is unknown and if language is there protecting the commercial balance, then developers must go through an approval process by the Village before changing that balance. Recommendations and Voting A motion was made to approve, as amended, the request for an amendment to Section 118 of the Skokie Village Code to make changes to the Zoning Ordinance including revisions to the B4 districts, the addition of Solar Requirements, and other updates. It was recommended that the Village adopt language that would establish the relationship between the commercially zone space with the addition of a residential component. Motion: Ousley Second: Mathee Absent: Gevaryahu, Lakhani, Luke, & Shah Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 The chairman introduced new members, Peter Ousley and Erica Minchella, to the commission. Welcome comments were expressed by all. 597096- April 7, 2022 Plan Commission meeting minutes –Zoning Chapter Amendment