Taylor Overman, representing the Lake Bluff Yacht Club, presented revised plans for a new boathouse at the village beach during the Dec. 17 Joint Plan Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals meeting, saying the club’s goal is to expand access and programming for young families while addressing a multiyear waiting list for vessel storage.

Overman told commissioners the club wants to “maximize watercraft storage” and explore multiuse uses such as sailing instruction, workshops and shared kayaks and paddleboards. He said the board’s intent for the presentation was to solicit feedback and refine designs before returning with formal submissions.

A technical presentation by longtime club member Scott Shapey included a shade study for peak summer months. Shapey said the study shows the proposed structure’s shadow reaching roughly 20 feet east of the building late in the afternoon for about an hour to an hour‑and‑a‑half, with the slanted roof reducing total shadow compared with a peaked design.

In public comment, long‑time club supporters and neighbors praised the club’s revitalization plans while urging restraint on height and massing. “I don’t think there’s a compelling need for a 2‑story building,” said Mickey Collins, who submitted written comments and asked the club to consider a single‑story solution and practical storage alternatives rather than carrying large items up stairs. Nan Caldwell said Lake Bluff Beach is “the most treasured asset in our community,” and urged designs that complement the bluff and avoid imposing, long‑lasting changes.

Commissioners echoed those concerns, repeatedly urging the club to separate programmatic needs from design wants and to prioritize the public view and the small‑scale character of the beach. Several commissioners said the proposed 19‑foot height and second‑floor volume were problematic in that location and suggested returning with a lower, one‑story profile that preserved or improved storage capacity. After discussion, Overman said the club would abandon the second‑floor plan and “do 1 floor, same footprint, still allow us to maximize vessel storage” and return with updated drawings.

The board treated the review as informal feedback rather than a formal approval; no zoning relief or permit decisions were made. Commissioners asked staff and applicants to verify site measurements (including the structure’s proposed forward placement relative to the adjacent North Shore Sanitary District building) and to bring revised elevations, shadow studies and a clearer program justification when the club returns.

What happens next: The yacht club agreed to revise the design and come back to the commission for further review, likely in January. Commissioners said they remain open to a solution that increases lake access for residents while protecting public views and the beach’s character.