[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6186376,"mediaKeyId","5076175-27cf949835cd92d2d4a2049a8d3b84b9","parentId",5076175,"title","Village board waives second reading, approves fence height variation at 511 Lansdowne","audioSeconds",291,"startMs",3329000,"endMs",3620000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5076175-27cf949835cd92d2d4a2049a8d3b84b9&start=3329&end=3620","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5076175-27cf949835cd92d2d4a2049a8d3b84b9/thumbnail_3329000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6186376/Lake-Bluff/Lake-County/Illinois/Village-board-waives-second-reading-approves-fence-height-variation-at-511-Lansdowne","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6186376-dda6f2c5425a947150f9688bf8015ca5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771203866&Signature=HyJmm5wP9WMvS3I~Gi9Xs43l-f9DIIXY5hpkliA5pcZIMK4pneHS190i1Q74UrCk3x-lAT3jFfEtQ9htlcjuiTHugrjAqVT3yy1oApccWtTh8LPV7GZALXCbCvBTnISlPwKcCUmozR0gTP16JSTsNuksmBhmtxov~a-JpTo5wojg1QUZvjCFljaJ4sGZG--lmsf45ZK-lMn~LSUFZ99ol-oubQ80OnkCXPlYlof-1cbz-l9J21ynyFQi6LwngIr1noyaSBCK10q9b8al40adoi8dUMnoOn4Rma79MDlsI7Hh6FDNaGBjGXph0ncPmSyZxnWcdyqEORVjdCLHEDG0Kg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Village of Lake Bluff, IL","date","2025-06-26T08:10:56.36Z","article","The Village Board on June 23 approved an ordinance granting a variation from the front-yard fence regulation at 511 Lansdowne, allowing the applicant to install a six-foot fence where the code otherwise restricts front-yard fence height in the E2 zoning district.

Jonathan Bach (applicant) told the board the property is uniquely zoned E2 in a subdivision of otherwise E1 properties; PCCBA conducted an informal review and forwarded a unanimous favorable recommendation. Village staff described the zoning anomaly and noted other properties on the east side of Moffett have six-foot fences. The applicant said he had notified neighbors and collected signatures and requested both first and second reading approval that night.

Trustees moved to approve first reading and waive the second reading. A voice vote and roll call followed; the board recorded unanimous consent to advance and adopt the ordinance. The board noted that the property’s “front yard” as defined by the code falls on the short side of the lot and that neighbors had been notified during the review.

The ordinance approval permits the fence to be installed subject to the conditions stated in the variation and applicable village code. No additional amendments were made during the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","LBVB - June 23, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Trustees approved a variation allowing a six-foot fence within the front-yard area at 511 Lansdowne, citing a unique zoning situation; the applicant received a unanimous favorable recommendation from the Plan Commission prior to the board vote.","taxTitle","Lake Bluff, Lake County, Illinois","taxId",70473,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6186380,"Residents deliver petition for extended leaf-blower ban, ask Lake Bluff to move toward year‑round restriction",223,1313000,1536000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5076175-27cf949835cd92d2d4a2049a8d3b84b9&start=1313&end=1536","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5076175-27cf949835cd92d2d4a2049a8d3b84b9/thumbnail_1313000.jpg","/articles/6186380/Lake-Bluff/Lake-County/Illinois/Residents-deliver-petition-for-extended-leaf-blower-ban-ask-Lake-Bluff-to-move-toward-yearround-restriction","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6186380-b930c7a63b26ca0ed09f9c1f4d335b08/orig.mp4?Expires=1771203866&Signature=DV8SeIuLLAUP4ig1aoiH~NNEnkAl9Z9CJjQPe1DaQ7EGsUNYk7VVbVp4j1beWeX7NJAa38KM9ZWj0gOxJRRFZopuRxRQg~fUy9BDBauhzopv4BCTaU7Ry9dtB0xP9HJmlCsLFLRi6EJZZXosJU-V5fng66DLUTGHb6ceVZqa6GkrAvywGjjv2l6CeBlSSF7RLVpY0bfczJ4zCNlDJN15Vf~GVNvX6unXLs~7hUY9JGWnb6ALgRBAPeKqZMzFZfRbCXErgRPTLAlnYD6bEz~GkBKtY3IDipfooUyIiKVY1~aw62HtEISnuGjw7LMOr3NGxRPkeYz8qOf1aUWHGp8mOA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Residents told the Village Board on June 23 they want Lake Bluff to expand its seasonal ban on gas-powered leaf blowers and asked officials to adopt an interim nine-month restriction or stronger measures ahead of this fall’s cleanup season.

Pam Russell and another petitioner (identified in the record as Miss Claywater) said the petition they submitted has “over 430 residents and growing” and asked trustees to limit use to longer seasonal windows, eliminate weekend hours, cap the number of leaf blowers allowed on a single property during cleanup, and commit to a date when the ban will become year‑round. Russell said Lake Bluff is “already behind the timeline recommended by the SEC, which would have had a full ban effective this year,” and noted that six North Shore communities have nine-month bans and that Evanston bans gas leaf blowers year‑round.

Speakers cited noise and health impacts, saying gas-powered blowers produce low-frequency noise that penetrates structures, emit fine dust carrying allergens and contaminants, and release carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds. Russell said landscapers have adapted to seasonal restrictions and urged the board to move now so residents would not have to return repeatedly to urge action.

The board accepted copies of the petition and signatures during the public-comment period; there was no vote or ordinance introduced at the meeting. Village staff and trustees indicated they are continuing discussions with community partners and the multi-community working group referenced by speakers, but no timetable or definitive policy action was announced at this session.

Petitioners provided staff with hard copies of signatures at the meeting and said they will continue advocacy ahead of the autumn cleanup season.","Speakers delivered a petition with more than 430 signatures asking the Village Board to extend the seasonal ban on gas-powered leaf blowers to at least nine months, eliminate weekend hours, limit concurrent units on a property, and set a date for a year-round ban.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6186386,"Lake Bluff Police receive ninth consecutive CALEA accreditation, commission delegate tells trustees",383,256000,639000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5076175-27cf949835cd92d2d4a2049a8d3b84b9&start=256&end=639","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5076175-27cf949835cd92d2d4a2049a8d3b84b9/thumbnail_256000.jpg","/articles/6186386/Lake-Bluff/Lake-County/Illinois/Lake-Bluff-Police-receive-ninth-consecutive-CALEA-accreditation-commission-delegate-tells-trustees","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6186386-7180ce62745f0648ea205b5fc06b6d03/orig.mp4?Expires=1771203866&Signature=JvXDv3L00eer6N5VABb7Fk~4w74pCGgPx1TAlv5BjlDpYxDeUPJKpez~xY-VSt6C-XFlbN8lQC~5AGyOW09pIrTvEfrgrjhV27c7jfoqsP-jJt5oLo0gblLC9vXXOVgwj-SP7-vEXjmOCV5yoCqhgG0D~J-oSUkn7cJ9gP3MDgOUy5whKqQxOHrPuMk7wBNzUnf~EHPDKRM0aPrmeC0mucy2mTgKMoca1pLBBWQAjW7ahXb03u6LKvwCSqB6CaDzf-s2DS2JIcRygBoFCXcb49b1dLNFGgcjftIymo4c6-pTN00WftK55YVGdTNNS8F3EoN-anoiL6vGJkSEgRIOnA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lake Bluff Police Department received its 2025 certificate of law enforcement accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) at the Village Board meeting on June 23.

Dr. Shannon Gillette, a CALEA delegate and former police chief, told the board that CALEA’s standards “reflect the current thinking and experience of law enforcement practitioners and researchers” and that the Lake Bluff department demonstrated a “community focused approach to policing.” Gillette said the department was evaluated against more than 185 professional standards during site visits and annual web-based assessments and that the commission unanimously approved reaccreditation.

According to the presentation, Lake Bluff was first CALEA-accredited in 1999 and this 2025 award marks the department’s ninth consecutive accreditation; the commission also awarded “meritorious status” for sustained commitment to transparency, accountability, and continual improvement. Dr. Gillette specifically recognized Chief Smazinski, Accreditation Manager Sergeant Thomas Vinson, and police clerk Lisa Robin for their roles in the process and noted that assessing staff reviewed policies, procedures, investigations, custody procedures and other operations.

Chief Smazinski told the board the accreditation “means a lot to us” and emphasized that, as a small agency, most accreditation work was done by department staff rather than large teams common in bigger departments. The village president thanked the department for its achievement.

The certificate was accepted during the meeting’s opening presentations; no board vote was required. Village officials said the accreditation is a validation of the department’s practices and a signal to residents that the department engages in recognized professional standards.","A Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies delegate presented the Lake Bluff Police Department with its 2025 CALEA certificate and meritorious status, recognizing the department’s adherence to professional standards and community-focused policing.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6186391,"Lake Bluff residents press board to act after North Chicago approves M3 zoning for chemical site",2495,721000,3216000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5076175-27cf949835cd92d2d4a2049a8d3b84b9&start=721&end=3216","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5076175-27cf949835cd92d2d4a2049a8d3b84b9/thumbnail_721000.jpg","/articles/6186391/Lake-Bluff/Lake-County/Illinois/Lake-Bluff-residents-press-board-to-act-after-North-Chicago-approves-M3-zoning-for-chemical-site","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6186391-f5ff7459032d89f0201c8a34608c51ec/orig.mp4?Expires=1771203866&Signature=RQZ96I5~zY7S6T058RRlal0WIrBVhyaHf3Zj9xJIoSFW3eQhxO7f~5OuSoy7HhmojGe1AOjWYtl~cij-AJG7xBHnf2I22uqZ2hwEZaQeQktzEmx1n1dDoC3-JwFwjNMMhZzcMpLNs8DDZcgNlBpscesAQgaWFHkMiAJ2KK~GmrOvxyS-ZPTDjTN7~c5N4LS5rtGztM1AYWncD33mtF5ucdF32xKFwftdE15f2S5x7cLdA5ctbvMKlAOvTZhySl8y6IwUZWsEwFpUBEhz-Yiq74LNA980PKv0gAlMesecZhCXl209dCmciFvRUlBbMfBZjgCGHO1x7-doK2IQeC3OMQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dozens of residents from the Sanctuary subdivision urged the Village of Lake Bluff on June 23 to help monitor and respond after North Chicago approved an M3 zoning change at a property occupied by EMCO Chemical Packaging.

The residents told the Board of Trustees they are worried about nearby chemical storage and handling, possible leaks or fires, and long-term air and water impacts. Jan Bartoli, a Sanctuary resident, said EMCO’s North Chicago site lists “flammable, corrosive, and toxic materials” on its website and that the company “has 3 hazardous materials warehouses.” Bartoli asked the village to work with regulatory agencies and help monitor the situation.

The comments came during the meeting’s public-comment period. Speakers described prior violations by EMCO and noted that the zoning change was first denied by North Chicago’s zoning board and later approved by the North Chicago city council. Matt Dollard told trustees that EMCO has “a very well documented history of polluting” and urged Lake Bluff to consider legal or other supports; Connie McCabe said she had been diagnosed with a large brain tumor that was described to her doctors as environmentally caused and urged preemptive action.

Residents emphasized proximity to homes and community assets. Several speakers said the Sanctuary neighborhood sits roughly 400 feet from the site and cited an elementary school “right next to the EMCO chemical packaging distribution” site. Brian Harrington and others described the Sanctuary’s history of annexation and said their homeowners association lacks funds to pursue litigation; multiple speakers said their HOA had declined to hire counsel.

Village officials responded that Lake Bluff’s direct land-use authority is limited because the property and zoning decision fall inside the City of North Chicago. Village President (title used in the record) said village staff reviewed distance measurements and that “we don’t know what’s happening in this building” and acknowledged the difficulty of predicting emissions following a fire or leak. Village Attorney Peter (last name in the transcript) and other staff agreed to follow up: Peter will attempt to contact a representative of the Sanctuary HOA and serve as a point of communication between residents and village staff.

The board did not vote on any ordinance or legal action during the meeting. Trustees agreed to open lines of communication and directed village staff to follow up with Sanctuary residents and the HOA representative to identify next steps and possible options. The board advised that North Chicago retains legislative authority over the zoning decision but said it would pursue strategic follow-up where appropriate.

Residents urged several specific tools or responses they would like the village to explore, including monitoring, increased transparency from EMCO, coordination with state environmental regulators, and legal options to challenge or limit operations; the village made no commitment to fund litigation. Village staff said they would continue communications with the Sanctuary and report back to the board.

The matter remains active and residents asked the board to keep the issue on future agendas.","Dozens of Sanctuary neighborhood residents asked the Lake Bluff Village Board on June 23 to help monitor and respond after North Chicago approved an M3 zoning change that allows heavy industrial uses at a site occupied by EMCO Chemical Packaging.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Village board waives second reading, approves fence height variation at 511 Lansdowne

Residents deliver petition for extended leaf-blower ban, ask Lake Bluff to move toward year‑round restriction

Lake Bluff Police receive ninth consecutive CALEA accreditation, commission delegate tells trustees

Lake Bluff residents press board to act after North Chicago approves M3 zoning for chemical site