Skokie zoning board unanimously grants setback variance for Keeler Avenue homeowners

The Village of Skokie Zoning Board of Appeals unanimously granted a variance in case 2026-02-Z that allows homeowners Kelly Sather and Colleen Tool to replace an air-conditioning condenser located 0.83 feet north of the side lot line at 8138 Keeler Avenue.

The petitioners told the board the unit has occupied the same spot for about 19 years, including a replacement after 2010 flooding. "When we moved into our house at 8138 Keeler about 19 years ago, our air conditioner has been in the same spot," petitioner Kelly Sather said, describing site constraints including a storage area and a pollinator garden that make relocation difficult.

Staff confirmed the applicant filed the affidavit of notice and mailed required notices on May 27. During the hearing a staff member also asked to correct two agenda items: the SEPAC figure on the published agenda should read 0.83 (the printed value was incorrect) and the relevant code citation should read 118-66-C2; staff said those agenda errors did not affect the sufficiency of notice.

Commissioner Worth moved to grant the variance, saying the petition was consistent with the findings of fact in the Village of Skokie Zoning Chapter. Commissioner Trevedi seconded the motion. The chair called the roll; Commissioners Strauss, Kirkpatrick, Wirth, Brustein, Trevedi, Ptak and the chair voted aye and the petitioner's request was approved unanimously (Commissioner Jacobson was absent).

Because the case involved an air-conditioning condenser setback, staff said no covenant running with the land will be required. The staff member told the petitioners they would review the in-process permit application and attempt to approve it promptly.

During board questioning petitioners confirmed the replacement unit is the same size as the previous unit and that an immediate neighbor had no objection. Village staff confirmed the lot measures 40 feet by 123 feet, meeting the minimum lot width for the district.

Separately during the public-comment portion, resident Sharon Becker described recurring yard flooding behind a four-unit building on Kilpatrick and asked how residents could petition for a driveway or limited parking without losing yard space. Staff advised contacting the Village building division and offered a follow-up with staff member Brian Augustine.

The board also introduced new member Roman Bushtay, who said his work over the past 20 years coordinating projects for nonprofits and affordable-housing developers in Chicago involved building permits and zoning reviews.

With no further business, the chair adjourned the meeting.