[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6166751,"mediaKeyId","5414890-83186dd2067a50bcfbba93c3d3058055","parentId",5414890,"title","Lake Bluff staff schedules Green Bay Road open house; village works on e-bike and scooter rules","audioSeconds",176,"startMs",3644000,"endMs",3820000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5414890-83186dd2067a50bcfbba93c3d3058055&start=3644&end=3820","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5414890-83186dd2067a50bcfbba93c3d3058055/thumbnail_3644000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6166751/Lake-Bluff/Lake-County/Illinois/Lake-Bluff-staff-schedules-Green-Bay-Road-open-house-village-works-on-e-bike-and-scooter-rules","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6166751-09b8506922ae28bfeaea148a4cd2110c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167206&Signature=cm7IkBcd7JbB7jJTEO-Ik45qora~56QcOd6~C4X~qtpH86qC9Jl2JfZMxNNOnQXPasctoUKo56niAoJ-MPTXSNRFTlLRQ2Fhw8LSFIxAJ8nDfYGHatX72Mwr8PGZ5s9L3aC7rt04oaE-QhV5-GvOXe2Y4GPr4fBpp65D655xowgXp4GScs87-RmHu6FvgfptbQ6r-vLU8-zWDEve-BGATpdmwYrJX4fovJmIaYp8VyaM0MJ8ONALZ8olfI6mlZBF-x59~FCwrsGqGDDPTjFcD-zqlDG4aOuFS3KNPMSpw0I4GiyUZaaXQt7St2cZbxIwOo96kPSj4eN7fTJI3zycHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Village of Lake Bluff, IL","date","2025-07-17T15:53:02Z","article","Planning staff announced July 16 that the Village of Lake Bluff will hold an open house on July 30 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Public Safety Building to present materials and the timeline for the Green Bay Road project. The session will feature display boards and staff to answer questions, staff said.

Commissioners also discussed a separate policy issue: the village board is working on regulations for e-bikes, low-speed electric scooters and small electric motorcycles. Planning staff and police are coordinating on an ordinance draft that would initially focus on the Central Business District (CBD) and sidewalks, and would classify different device types. Staff emphasized the work is ongoing and that state legislation passed recently creates definitional and enforcement issues the village is addressing.

A planning commissioner said other North Shore communities have recently adopted regulations addressing low-speed scooters and that Lake Bluff’s draft language is being “workshopped” to fit the village’s circumstances and the new state law. Police staff and planning staff reported a low number of incidents to date but noted increasing complaints about “near misses” between pedestrians and fast-moving electric devices. Commissioners said enforcement and definitions—particularly the differences between low-speed scooters, higher-powered e-bikes, and motorized mini-bikes—remain central concerns.

Staff said they are also coordinating with Lake County on trail rules and noted targeted enforcement has occurred in some places (police stopped and spoke with riders in at least one recent instance). The draft ordinance and further discussion will proceed through the village board process; no formal ordinance was adopted during the July 16 meeting.

Next steps: look for public materials and staff at the Green Bay Road open house on July 30; staff and the police department will continue drafting e-mobility regulations for Village Board consideration.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","LBPCZBA - July 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Planning staff announced an open house July 30 on the Green Bay Road project and commissioners discussed ongoing work on village regulations for e-bikes, low-speed scooters and electric motorcycles following new state legislation.","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},6166755,"PCZBA advises subdividing 1750 Shore Acres Drive to preserve trees and meet setbacks",903,2715000,3618000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5414890-83186dd2067a50bcfbba93c3d3058055&start=2715&end=3618","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5414890-83186dd2067a50bcfbba93c3d3058055/thumbnail_2715000.jpg","/articles/6166755/Lake-Bluff/Lake-County/Illinois/PCZBA-advises-subdividing-1750-Shore-Acres-Drive-to-preserve-trees-and-meet-setbacks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6166755-c99fcf6cf4807c9311c7114c76ba9525/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167206&Signature=CptXjxYSNp8U1J38pxl~qz6GFjefC7cHMohf5DmQxV7v57YxpHe6~H5tdqM1GpHqv5XOfRPi53dlTWx0TR2jM4nxBEw5QcF3VcUd74xqO-MMbLAKf1WlHuqt6XugoW~It~1mzfBRGZPrMW2auqKHRo3zQ-yFNMZUS8qf2Qr6LFk3EGE0g8J1h1Mcm36VsYYszaJ6cPCkFM1E1mJPy3Z0QkVcmL8ITSIYOIT7bJ3KZGQsGJCjcuboso8WuS3PGdH9nxgdVrySYASi64GTk8rpU1zYVMYnZ7kOcYRTgIs6ynhoVkXB68z7cbOUG1jLKJPKfdfSNGODqiFffnaPGo-YSA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At an informal review July 16, the Village of Lake Bluff Joint Plan Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals advised the project team for 1750 Shore Acres Drive to pursue a lot reconfiguration that would square off the parcel and create a half-acre building lot, moving the new home farther from the road to meet Country Estate (CE) district setback expectations and preserve mature front-yard trees.

Healy Rice, the architect for Shore Acres Drive LLC, presented four layout options for a property the planners described as L-shaped and undersized for the CE district’s usual front- and rear-setback requirements. Rice said the proposed new house would total roughly 2,861 square feet of living area with an approximately 193-square-foot front porch; the design team indicated the parcel’s lot coverage and FAR interact with CE zoning requirements and that a change from the CE 20% lot coverage to the more typical 30% used in other residential districts would make the proposed house fit more easily.

Commissioners and staff provided largely technical guidance rather than a formal determination: board members recommended the owner pursue a subdivision or lot-line adjustment that would yield a roughly half-acre building parcel located farther north on the property so the house could meet a 100-foot front setback and a 40-foot rear setback cited for the CE district. Commissioners emphasized preserving the existing tree canopy in the property’s front area; several commissioners said placing the new house in the lot’s interior would allow most of the mature trees to remain.

Commissioner comments focused on context and long-term neighborhood character. One commissioner said most existing Shore Acres lots are much larger and that a smaller, sited building lot would reduce impacts to neighboring properties and protect trees. The commission and architect discussed using the existing driveway and rotating the house plan so the garage could take advantage of the current access, which would avoid adding a long new driveway and reduce tree loss.

The hearing was informal: no motions or votes were taken. Planning staff noted that a formal subdivision or variance would return to the PCZBA for review; the village attorney has previously advised that the owner holds two billable lots, meaning a future application for a second home may be legally possible. Commissioners encouraged the applicant to submit a tree survey and work with adjacent owners, and several members said they considered the recommended lot-line adjustment the most practical long-term solution for both homes and for protecting the tree canopy.

Next steps: the applicant indicated willingness to explore a lot-line change and to update plans; future formal applications (subdivision, variance, building permits) would be required if the owner proceeds.","Architects for Shore Acres Drive LLC sought informal feedback on demolishing an existing coach house and building a new cottage at 1750 Shore Acres Drive; commissioners advised creating a half-acre lot and moving the new house back to preserve trees and comply with CE zoning setbacks.",{"_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},6166760,"Lake Bluff PCZBA approves variance and recommends text amendment to allow narrower garage setbacks",2578,104000,2682000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5414890-83186dd2067a50bcfbba93c3d3058055&start=104&end=2682","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5414890-83186dd2067a50bcfbba93c3d3058055/thumbnail_104000.jpg","/articles/6166760/Lake-Bluff/Lake-County/Illinois/Lake-Bluff-PCZBA-approves-variance-and-recommends-text-amendment-to-allow-narrower-garage-setbacks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6166760-25167ebd3ed1fb7cb9509d57c6732fd6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167206&Signature=RrNMSAqxsnsrMt3OgnbRkWOUqhL7GuKQsnw6W9SLWnlqh99C1w8cxeNttyWxM02BtpozHdtpvnc8GlhSAW99yNmp1fuwXF1Wps6O1lqxKH0tyjq5qVDa-kujYmW63Ybtoi5Xgf4CsmXHNOFMV7ndYvgclWZP3CLqpEe-cusRzc~39yv2hyGVenEbaA2VArI1I3L1vTfEINbcG0mWsbKRd3VLZyLpHFYsV2~XrGoomFK923sc9PMlFVuXdeP6BS8i7uipCfAFUTZcmfhh-us26~Nv8t5g2m0oTRhxixnt53u2E0drztw5-365X-IGh0k4homZYAJIymbsV8afBYqxlQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Village of Lake Bluff Joint Plan Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals voted unanimously July 16 to recommend a change to the municipal code and to grant a variance allowing a larger detached garage at 206 East Prospect Avenue. The commission recommended the village board approve an ordinance amending Section 10-5-9 of the municipal code to permit 2.5-foot setbacks for accessory structures on smaller lots, and separately approved the petitioner’s minor variation request.

The recommendation matters because the text amendment, if approved by the village board, would change setback rules for small lots (discussed in the hearing as lots of about 6,250 square feet or less) and could affect how accessory structures are sited across older parts of Lake Bluff. The PCZBA, acting as the decision-making body on the variance, approved the requested relief for the specific property while recommending the text change to the village board for adoption.

Graham Hallen, the property owner and applicant, told the commission his family moved into the house just over five years ago and that the existing detached garage is 18 by 18 feet with a door about 5½ feet tall, too small for their vehicles. Hallen said the project would remove the current garage and pad, reduce impervious surface by about 150 square feet, and construct a new 24-by-24-foot detached garage with an attached 8-by-12-foot storage area. Hallen said he had discussed the plan with all adjoining neighbors and described them as supportive.

Commission members discussed two separate issues: a text amendment to allow accessory structures to be sited within 2.5 feet of a lot line on very small lots, and a variance specific to Hallen’s property to permit an increase in floor-area-related limits. Members noted changes to the proposal during review: the applicant reduced the proposed garage height from 20 feet to 17 feet, which a member said brought the structure into compliance with height limits for detached accessory buildings. Members also cited the applicant’s calculations showing a requested floor-area ratio (FAR) of 2,889 square feet—about 16.5% above the code allowance of 2,480 square feet—and that the house’s existing condition and the accessory layout meant the net additional bulk in practical terms was much smaller.

Member Russell (Plan Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals) said the project’s net effect included “150 square feet less impervious,” a positive outcome for stormwater management, and noted that a portion of the requested area was an attached storage element. Member Miller and others raised concern about setting precedent if the code were revised, with Member Miller saying he was “sitting on the fence” over whether the variance was appropriate as precedent. Several members nevertheless supported the variance for this application, describing the practical constraints of older lots and the relatively small net gain in buildable area once existing conditions were considered.

There was no public comment at the hearing. After discussion, the commission moved first to recommend the text amendment; the motion to recommend adoption of an ordinance amending Section 10-5-9 of the municipal code passed by voice vote with all members recorded as “Aye.” The commission then approved the requested variance—authorizing construction of the 24-by-24-foot garage with the attached storage—by a unanimous recorded vote. Commission staff stated the text amendment still requires village board action while the variance granted is the PCZBA’s formal action.

Next steps: the recommended text amendment will go to the Village Board for its consideration; the applicant may proceed under the PCZBA-approved variance and with building permits as applicable. The PCZBA record and the application materials will be part of the village board’s review of the proposed municipal code change.

","The Village of Lake Bluff plan commission recommended a municipal code change to allow 2.5-foot setbacks for detached accessory structures on very small lots and approved a variance for a 24-by-24-foot garage at 206 East Prospect Avenue.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Lake Bluff staff schedules Green Bay Road open house; village works on e-bike and scooter rules

PCZBA advises subdividing 1750 Shore Acres Drive to preserve trees and meet setbacks

Lake Bluff PCZBA approves variance and recommends text amendment to allow narrower garage setbacks