Plan Commission recommends approval of Rivian dealership site plan, forwards recommendation to Village Board

The Northbrook Plan Commission voted unanimously on Aug. 19 to recommend that the Village Board approve a proposal to consolidate two parcels at 1804–1818 Skokie Boulevard and to allow a 39,000-square-foot Rivian electric vehicle dealership and service facility to be built there.

The recommendation, recorded in draft Resolution 25-PC-15, moves the petition from the Plan Commission to the Village Board for final action. The proposal filed by Edens Tower LLC (to be transferred to 1880 Partnership LLC) requests lot consolidation, two special permits (motor vehicle dealer with open sales lot and automotive repair), two zoning variations (reduced interior and rear yard setback to 0 feet and elimination of a required loading space), and site-plan approval.

Why it matters: the property is in the I-1 restricted industrial district and fronts Skokie Boulevard in a corridor that already includes other vehicle dealerships. If approved by the Village Board, the project would replace multiple existing structures — including a single-story animal boarding facility — with a single-story Rivian showroom and service building, 155 parking spaces and perimeter landscaping.

Plan Commission staff said the proposal is generally consistent with the village comprehensive plan’s industrial and commercial-services designation and that staff included a draft resolution for the commission’s consideration. Swati Pandi, project staff liaison, told the commission that no recent written public comments had been received by staff; a sustainability addendum and photometric (lighting) study were included in the commission packet.

Residents who live behind the site urged the commission to delay approval or require additional studies. "I strongly oppose the approval of this proposal as it's currently presented," said Peter Haller, who lives at 205 Astor Place and whose property backs up to the railroad behind the site. Haller told commissioners he was concerned about noise from 24-hour service operations, car alarms and exterior service activity, and about lighting spilling onto nearby yards after deciduous trees lose their leaves in winter.

Architect John Medea of Studio 222 Architects, representing the applicant, said the project team provided a photometric study and that "all the fixtures that we have are full cutoff fixtures, and then we do comply with the ordinance as far as the light levels" at property lines. Matt Kowalski, identified as Rivian's representative, said service and repair work would take place inside the building and said he was not aware of dealership sites that use doorbell alarms on overhead service doors.

Another public speaker, Mike Rosenthal, urged the project team to preserve pedestrian access through a ComEd easement near the rear of the property that is used to reach a future regional trail. "All they have to do is let's put in a fence, a gate to the fence that's open during business hours," Rosenthal said, asking that access be retained for the bicycle connection.

Developers and property owners told the commission they do not intend to block the existing ComEd easement and said they have not been given authority by ComEd to alter or restrict access. Property owner representative DJ Altwar said the easement has been in place for years and that the applicant is not proposing to close it.

Commissioners discussed the site's suitability, the existing pattern of automotive uses nearby, and the specific concerns raised by neighbors about noise, light and pedestrian/bicycle access. Commissioner Halperin and others said the location is consistent with other dealerships in the corridor; Commissioner Walden asked that Rivian work with ComEd and the village to ensure a future bike path would not be encumbered by the development.

After discussion, a motion to approve draft Resolution 25-PC-15 was made and seconded; the Plan Commission called the roll and recorded the unanimous recommendation. The roll call recorded votes in favor from Commissioners Bremen, Halperin, Caravides, Morgan, Papito, Walden and Chairman Lisco. Deputy Director Kolstad confirmed the recommendation will be forwarded to the Village Board, which has the final decision. Staff said the Village Board date had not been set but would likely be scheduled within two to three weeks; interested parties on the project notification list will be emailed when the item is placed on a Board agenda.

What was approved by the Plan Commission was a recommendation, not a building permit or final Village Board approval. The resolution includes staff conditions from the draft packet; staff indicated site-plan details, landscaping, signage and compliance with village ordinances (including lighting) remain part of the review process at later stages.

Next steps: the Village Board will consider the Plan Commission's recommendation at a future meeting. Project contacts and staff said they will notify residents who provided email addresses when the Board agenda is published.