North Chicago council approves rezoning of 3601 Skokie Highway amid strong opposition from Lake Bluff residents

The North Chicago City Council voted May 19 to approve an ordinance to rezone the property at 3601 Skokie Highway from M‑1 (limited/light industrial) to M‑3 (intensive/heavy industrial). Alderman Robert Evans moved to approve the petition and Alderman Allen seconded; the motion passed with one dissenting vote from Alderman Jackson and the rest of the council voting aye.

Why this matters: M‑3 zoning allows heavier industrial uses than M‑1, and speakers at the meeting warned that the change would permit activities they say are incompatible with nearby homes, a school and health facilities. The council approval reverses a recommendation from the North Chicago Planning and Zoning Commission, which voted to deny the petitioner’s request.

Dozens of residents and area stakeholders addressed the council during public comment, nearly all urging denial. Regis Charlot, village president for the Village of Lake Bluff, told the council that his village “has repeatedly voiced its opposition” and said the Lake Bluff sanctuary neighborhood lies across Route 41 from the site. Charlot said the planning and zoning commission — an advisory body appointed by the mayor and confirmed by council — recommended denial and asked the council to “take its own advisory board seriously.”

Courtney Heck, a realtor and Lake Bluff resident who also said she works with North Chicago Community Partners, told the council, “I respectfully urge the committee to deny the application to rezone the property at 3601 Skokie Highway from M 1 Limited industrial to M 3 Intensive industrial.” Heck cited the city’s updated comprehensive plan and argued the plan’s future‑land‑use map labels the site “commercial/industrial flex,” which she said aligns with M‑1 but not with M‑3.

Several speakers cited proximity to homes and institutions. Multiple commenters said some houses received legal notice because they lie within 250 feet of the parcel; one speaker said Lake Bluff Elementary School is about 4,000 feet away. Jim Babowitz, representing the Sanctuary Homeowner Area Association, warned that an M‑3 map amendment would allow a broad set of intensive uses “as a matter of right” and that some uses could come later without additional council review.

Public commenters suggested alternatives to a blanket rezoning. Speakers including Debbie Borsic, owner of Certified Auto Body, and others urged the council to consider a text amendment to the M‑1 district or a special‑use permit for the tenant the owner has said it seeks (a truck or auto repair use), rather than a full M‑3 designation that would allow many heavy industrial uses by right.

Health and environmental concerns were repeatedly raised. Dr. James O’Donnell, a toxicologist and nearby resident, told council members he is “very concerned” about the rezoning because of research linking proximity to chemical sources with disease. Several commenters referenced past releases tied to chemical facilities and an EPA settlement; Walt Thomas said an earlier facility agreed to an $82,000 fine and that releases in 2007 included trichloroethylene and other chemicals. Those claims were presented to the council as reasons to reject broad industrial zoning near homes.

Council discussion and clarifications focused on the city’s remaining regulatory authorities. Alderman Murphy asked whether licensing and other city ordinances would still apply after a zoning change; the city attorney replied, “They would still have to go through all of the licensing procedures for business to operate in the city, in addition to any other applicable ordinances of the city as well as state and federal laws.” The attorney also said the council could pursue an amendment process to remove specific uses from an M‑3 district if it chose to do so.

Council action: Alderman Robert Evans moved to approve the map amendment petition for 3601 Skokie Highway; Alderman Allen seconded. On the roll call, Alderman Jackson voted no and the remaining voting aldermen voted aye; the motion carried and the ordinance petition passed as presented.

What opponents asked next: Speakers asked the council to defer action until environmental and traffic impact studies were completed and some urged the council to follow the Planning & Zoning Commission’s recommendation to deny the petition. Those asking for deferral also repeated requests for targeted text amendments or special‑use permitting that would allow a truck repair tenant without broadening the parcel’s permitted uses.

The council did not announce any follow‑up studies or conditions on the rezoning at the meeting. The council moved on to other agenda items after the vote.