Appearance Commission approves 2nd‑floor addition at 8109 Laramie with small masonry detail encouraged

The Skokie Appearance Commission on Jan. 14 granted a Certificate of Appropriateness for a second‑floor addition at 8109 Laramie, voting unanimously after discussing proportions and minor detailing.

The project architect, Tracy Brewer of Compass Architecture, told the commission the 450‑square‑foot addition is designed to match existing materials so it reads as part of the original house. "Using the same common brick, using the same asphalt shingles, and the hip roof pitch is matching," Brewer said, describing a window pattern that mirrors the first floor.

Commissioners raised concerns about a large expanse of brick above a one‑car garage and a visually lopsided entry roof. Members suggested modest treatments to reduce perceived massing, including continuing the fascia across the front, adding a shallow projecting eave, a small pergola or canopy, a flower box under the window or a soldier course/corbeling above the garage. Brewer said a single soldier course "is a very subtle detail" that would provide a seam between new and existing brick.

A commissioner moved to grant the certificate "as presented with the suggestion to add some corbeling or a brick soldier course along the eave line following the porch or adding some type of additional flourish at the upper window to break up the mass." The chair seconded the motion. A roll‑call vote recorded aye from Tom, Charles, Joe, Julie, Jay, Carlos and Jacob; the motion passed.

The commission did not place additional conditions on the approval and encouraged the applicant to consider the minor masonry details discussed at the meeting. The commission noted staff did not object to the submitted elevations.