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Skokie zoning board unanimously grants variance for 7880 North Lincoln to allow second-floor residences
Summary
The Village of Skokie Zoning Board of Appeals voted unanimously to grant a variance for 7880 North Lincoln Avenue (case 2025-07Z), allowing redevelopment to add second-floor residential units with adjusted driveway and parking dimensions; the board required recording of a covenant running with the land.
The Village of Skokie Zoning Board of Appeals voted unanimously to grant a variance for case 2025-07Z, clearing the way for redevelopment at 7880 North Lincoln Avenue that the petitioner said will add residential units on the second floor.
The petitioner, Zane Zielinski, a representative of 78 80 North Lincoln Avenue LLC, told the board the site requires “a variance” because existing retaining walls and lot constraints prevent compliance with strict off-street parking dimensions. "We're hoping that with the variance, we'll be able to have sufficient off-street parking that would accommodate us for redeveloping the property to be residential units on the 2nd Floor," Zielinski said.
The board’s motion, moved by a commissioner identified in the record as Jake and seconded by Commissioner Jacobson, granted a variance to permit a 13-foot-wide drive aisle with abutting parallel parking and 9-foot-wide parking stalls adjacent to the existing wall, subject to compliance with all other Skokie codes and ordinances. The chair called a roll-call vote; Commissioners Trivedi, Jacobson, Worth, Kirkpatrick, Strauss, Saldi and the chair voted aye. The chair announced the petition had been approved unanimously.
Corporation counsel said the village will prepare a covenant running with the land for the property owner’s signature and will contact the petitioner when it is ready to be signed and recorded. The petitioner confirmed he has authority to sign on behalf of the LLC and acknowledged the village’s instructions on execution and recordation.
Board members and staff noted the petitioner had posted a sign and mailed notices to the properties required under the ordinance; the petitioner said he had received no written objections. One commissioner said they had not received a notice, and the petitioner offered to provide mailed-list documentation to staff for review.
Next steps: the village will produce the covenant for signature and recordation; building permits and certificates of occupancy cannot be issued until the covenant is executed and recorded per established practice.
