Skokie

Economic Development Commission Chairman Shalom Klein said his group, formed last year by Mayor George Van Dusen, endorses “the overall intent and findings of the plan, and encourages a process that will lead to a comprehensive plan amendment in support of more transit-oriented development for this area.”

At least a year in the making, the report was created by OKW Architects, and first introduced in 2012 to West Dempster Street stakeholders, including residents, business owners and developers.

“This study reinforces and expands the village’s efforts by recommending the use of excess parking capacity in station area commuter lots to support existing and future development, as well as circulation improvements for automobiles and pedestrians between the commuter lots and the retail development areas,” the report concludes.

Once the Economic Development Commission was formed, it was immediately asked to review the plan as its first big project.

“The comments came in overwhelmingly supportive of the plan,” Klein said at a presentation Monday to the Skokie Village Board. “Overwhelming support for the plan (was based on) that mixed use is the right way to go.”

Klein said the parcel in the heart of the zone under study could be a great area for diverse retail uses.

Read more of Mike Isaac’s article in the Skokie Review…