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Skokie approves zoning changes and special permit allowing drive‑thru Dunkin'; trustees and residents voice pedestrian and sustainability concerns
Summary
The Village Board approved zoning map and code amendments and a special‑use permit enabling a new Dunkin' with indoor dining and a drive‑thru at Skokie Boulevard and Main Street. The measures passed on roll calls, 4–2 for the site-specific ordinances and the map amendment; several trustees and public commenters argued the drive‑thru conflicts with sustainability and pedestrian goals.
The Village Board voted in favor of multiple zoning ordinances on June 1 that will allow a proposed Dunkin' limited‑service restaurant with indoor dining, outdoor seating, and a drive‑thru at properties on Skokie Boulevard and Main Street.
Assistant corporation counsel Stu Weiss summarized the approvals sought: removal of the address from the municipal code's retail‑street designation (Section 18‑183), a zoning map amendment from CX core mixed‑use district to B2 commercial district, and a special‑use permit for a limited‑service restaurant with drive‑thru and outdoor dining. Staff said the change reflects the auto‑oriented character of that portion of Skokie Boulevard and was proposed to keep zoning consistent across the quadrant.
Trustee Gail Schechter and Trustee Lisa Levy said they planned to vote against the drive‑thru, saying that the design is inconsistent with the village's sustainability plan and the board's goals for a pedestrian‑friendly corridor. "I don't understand based on our sustainability plan...how this kind of squeeze through," Schechter said. Lisa Levy said she did not oppose a restaurant there but opposed the drive‑thru element as inappropriate at that location.
Resident Lauren Gradnicki urged the board to deny the drive‑thru, warning that it would endanger pedestrians and degrade walkable commercial frontage. "If we want people to be walking back and forth, the last thing we need is a drive‑thru," she said.
The board moved and approved three related ordinances (draft ordinances 2026-06-P and 2026-07-P for the zoning amendments and 2026-09-P for the special use permit for 8357 Skokie Boulevard) by roll call; the recorded vote on those items was four ayes and two nays. A separate zoning‑map amendment for 4740–41 Main Street (item G) was taken and approved separately with a similar roll call outcome.
The approval authorizes the zoning and special permit changes; staff said petitioners must still meet permit conditions and any site‑plan, engineering, and building requirements before construction. Trustees and staff said they view the approvals as consistent with property owner proposals but acknowledged continuing community concern about pedestrian safety and sustainability goals.
