(a)

Mixed-use districts are intended to provide for, but not mandate, a vertical mix of commercial, institutional, recreational, and residential uses within the same building; a physical pattern of development that promotes building designs incorporating environmental sustainability, pedestrian orientation, and storefront-style shopping streets consistent with the 2020 Plan for Downtown Skokie: Sector A and other updates to the Comprehensive Plan. These districts promote retail sales and the health and well being of residents, employees, and consumers by encouraging physical activity, alternative transportation, and greater social interaction.

(b)

The NX Neighborhood Mixed-Use district is intended for commercial areas adjacent to single-family districts that are not adjacent to CX Core Mixed-Use districts. Buildings shall be designed to promote walking and pedestrian orientation. Ground floor uses must be commercially used but not necessarily reserved for retail and other service uses open to customers. Upper story uses can be other commercial uses or residences. Buildings should be compatible with uses in the R1 and R2 Single-Family residential districts.

(c)

The TX Transit Mixed-Use district is intended for areas within 2,000 feet of rapid transit or adjacent to CX Core Mixed-Use districts. Buildings shall be designed to promote walking and pedestrian orientation, with curb cuts discouraged on retail streets. Ground floor uses on commercial streets must be reserved for retail and other service uses open to customers. Upper story uses may be other commercial uses or residences. Buildings can be up to 75 feet in height, compatible to uses in the residential districts that include multifamily housing, but must have a minimum of two usable floors along retail streets. Entire blocks shall be zoned TX, where possible, to increase opportunities for pedestrian-oriented site and building design, conveniently located public parking, and open spaces.

(d)

The CX Core Mixed-Use district is intended for areas close to rapid transit hubs and employment centers. Buildings shall be designed to promote walking and have a pedestrian orientation, with curb cuts on retail streets strongly discouraged. Ground floor uses on retail streets must be reserved for retail and other service uses open to customers. Upper story uses may be other commercial uses or residences. Taller buildings up to 156 feet in height are encouraged and shall have a minimum of two usable floors of building along retail streets. Entire blocks shall be zoned CX, where possible, to increase opportunities for pedestrian-oriented site and building design, conveniently located public parking, and open spaces.

(Ord. No. 09-1-C-3657, § 2, 1-5-2009; Ord. No. 21-10-C-4571, § 1, 10-18-2021)

Development of any lot within the district shall be in conformance with Design Guidelines for Mixed-Use Districts, a set of design guidelines that are approved by the Appearance Commission. These guidelines shall assure that buildings, circulation, and open spaces conform to the intent of the district. Individual buildings are still subject to the review and approval by the Appearance Commission to assure that each conforms to the approved design guidelines.

(Ord. No. 09-1-C-3657, § 2, 1-5-2009)

(a)

Retail street designations. The following street segments shall be classified as retail streets:

(b)

Interpretation.

(1)

Except for cemeteries, when a lot face that abuts a retail street also abuts a lot designated in the Comprehensive Plan of Skokie, Illinois as a park or open space, the side of the lot abutting the park or open space shall also be treated as a retail street.

(2)

When a lot faces both a retail street and a street that is not a retail street, the Village Manager or his designee shall interpret the retail street designation.

(c)

Uses on retail streets.

(1)

Uses allowed along retail streets are listed in Appendix A.

(2)

Uses on retail streets that are subject to these regulations apply to the ground floor of a building for a distance of 24 feet from the inside edge of the right-of-way, park or open space edge.

(3)

Uses designated in Appendix A for retail shall be open to the public (except mixed-use building amenities) for a minimum of 40 hours a week.

(Ord. No. 09-1-C-3657, § 2, 1-5-2009; Ord. No. 18-6-C-4384, § 1, 6-18-2018; Ord. No. 22-9-C-4616, § 1, 9-19-2022)

(a)

Height, setbacks, and yards. Building height, setback, and yard requirements shall be determined in accordance with the following:

* No requirement, but if provided, then 6 foot minimum

(b)

Floor area ratio. Floor area ratio requirements shall be determined in accordance with the schedule and additional provisions below:

(1)

Base height and base floor area ratios are a matter of right. Floor area ratio bonuses shall be cumulative and provided as a matter of right if the conditions for the bonuses are met. Height and floor area ratio in excess of the base levels shall be subject to site plan approval in accordance with Article II of this chapter.

(2)

The bonus for first-floor commercial use shall be awarded based on the percentage of the first-floor area of the building devoted to uses open to the public. Covered or enclosed parking areas shall be included when calculating the first-floor area of the building. Commercial uses do not include covered or enclosed parking areas or common areas for residences, assisted-living facilities, or skilled nursing facilities.

(3)

The bonus for public art shall be awarded if space and a piece of art are provided adjacent to a public street or a contribution is made to a Village art fund of at least 1 percent of the development's construction permit value.

(4)

The bonus for a lot facing 2 or more streets shall be awarded when at least 2 rights-of-way containing different streets abut a lot.

(5)

The bonus for a plaza or an outdoor amenity for public use shall be awarded for a contiguous space that is open to the public and directly accessible from public sidewalks. A plaza shall have seating and may include spaces that display public art, fountains, landscaping, or outdoor dining areas. The calculation of the plaza shall not include required yards or setbacks.

(6)

The bonus for commercial parking spaces shall be awarded for each commercial parking space in excess of parking requirements available for nonrestricted public use or for purchasing spaces for such use into the shared parking fund.

(7)

The bonus for LEED rating shall be awarded for Silver, Gold, or Platinum certification upon receipt of a cash escrow, calculated as the additional square footage provided by the bonus multiplied by $100.00, and a signed escrow agreement. The escrow will be released upon the applicant providing the Village with proof that the building has received the appropriate LEED certification for the bonus provided from the United States Green Building Council.

(8)

The bonus for "removal of each whole 12 feet of retail street driveway curb cut" shall be awarded when (1) an existing driveway and apron in the right-of-way of a retail street is removed and is not replaced along any retail street, and (2) is replaced with streetscaping approved by the Village. The measurement used to determine the multiples of whole 12 feet shall be the width of the existing driveway apron at the curb line of the retail street.

(9)

The bonus for upper-story non-residential space shall be awarded for gross floor area of uses except residence and accommodation uses but including hotels above the grade level floor. The gross floor area for such uses shall be excluded from the FAR calculation up to an amount of the area of the lot.

(10)

The area of land dedicated as right-of-way as a condition of the development shall be included in the area of the lot for the purposes of calculating the floor area ratio.

(11)

The proximity to an arterial rapid transit or commuter rail station shall be awarded if most of the area of the site is within 2,000 feet of an entrance to the station.

(c)

Additional building requirements on retail streets.

(1)

Buildings shall be a minimum of 25 feet in height and have at least two usable floors for allowable uses.

(2)

The minimum first floor height measured from grade to the second story finished floor level floor shall be 15 feet.

(3)

The minimum retail depth on the first floor shall be of 24 feet.

(4)

At least 50% of all first floor façades shall abut the public sidewalk.

(5)

At least 60% of the first floor linear frontage of total lot frontage along the public sidewalk shall be devoted to permitted and special uses on retail streets. Each two whole linear feet of lot frontage used for public art, plaza, or outdoor amenities shall be deemed one whole linear foot of retail street uses for the purposes of this requirement.

(6)

At least 50% of the wall area that is between 2 and 12 feet above grade shall be occupied by windows and/or entry doors. These windows and doors shall meet the following requirements:

a.

Utilize clear transparent glass in order to provide clear views of building interiors from the street and to allow natural surveillance of the street and adjacent outdoor spaces.

b.

Tint, internal screening, patterns or mirrored coatings are prohibited.

c.

Coatings shall be limited to those necessary to meet the minimum U-factor requirement in the latest addition of the International Energy Conservation Code adopted by the State of Illinois.

d.

Be of commercial grade and design.

e.

The surface shall not be covered or obstructed by products, signs in excess of the requirements in the Signs chapter, or other opaque materials place behind the window.

(7)

At least 25% of the wall area between 3 and 8 feet from the finished floor level of upper stories shall consist of glass for all nonresidence uses.

(8)

All building entrances located along retail streets shall be at grade.

(9)

Recessed entrances shall not be wider than one third of the entire frontage along retail streets.

(10)

An entrance to a corner building shall be located at that corner.

(Ord. No. 09-1-C-3657, § 2, 1-5-2009; Ord. No. 10-4-C-3757, § 1, 4-7-2010; Ord. No. 16-12-C-4262, § 1, 12-19-2016; Ord. No. 18-5-C-4379, § 1, 5-22-2018; Ord. No. 21-10-C-4571, § 1, 10-18-2021)

(a)

Uses listed as restricted in Appendix A in the district as a whole or along retail streets shall be permitted only under the circumstances listed in this section.

(b)

Residences. Townhouse residences may be attached as facing to parking decks or commercial portions of buildings, except along retail streets.

(c)

Limited frontages. The following uses may be permitted with ground floor frontages along retail streets not to exceed 30% of the linear feet of building along that retail street:

(1)

Uses.

a.

Hotels.

b.

Department store, warehouse club, or superstore.

c.

Motion picture viewing and exhibition services.

d.

Storm water detention facilities.

e.

Restricted arts, entertainment, and recreation uses

f.

Colleges and universities.

g.

Funeral homes.

h.

Convention and exhibition halls.

i.

Mixed-use building amenities including only fitness rooms, management offices, coworking spaces, and game rooms.

(2)

Other permitted or special uses located along the retail street that meet the design guidelines in Section 118-182 within the uses listed above shall not be considered part of the restricted use.

(d)

Retail only restrictions. Motor vehicle parts and accessory stores and motorbike, ATV, and other similar vehicle sales are limited to retail sales and may not include service, repair, or other non-retail activities.

(e)

Dental laboratories. Dental laboratories may only operate in conjunction with a clinic or outpatient care center.

(f)

Residential construction offices. Building, developing, and general contracting offices for residential construction are permitted only for current, nearby projects.

(g)

Drive-through facilities.

(1)

Within the retail street use area, only drive through facility driveways that are shared with other parking facilities are permitted.

(2)

No part of the drive-through facility shall be visible from the retail street.

(h)

Special uses. The following uses listed as restricted shall also need a special use permit:

(1)

Hotels.

(2)

Motion picture viewing and exhibition services.

(3)

Theater, dance, or music establishment.

(4)

Funeral homes.

(5)

Convention and exhibition halls.

(i)

Textiles manufacturing and jewelry and silverware manufacturing. Textiles manufacturing and jewelry and silverware manufacturing shall be limited to only custom garments for individual clients.

(j)

Real estate services, property management services, and business, professional scientific, and technical services. May not occupy a space larger than 2,500 square feet or occupy a building's corner unit with 2 street frontages.

(Ord. No. 09-1-C-3657, § 2, 1-5-2009; Ord. No. 10-2-C-3734, § 1, 2-1-2010; Ord. No. 12-2-C-3885, § 1, 2-6-2012; Ord. No. 22-9-C-4616, § 2, 9-19-2022)

All business, servicing, storing, or processing shall be conducted within completely enclosed principal buildings, except as otherwise provided by this chapter, other applicable Village codes, or as follows:

(1)

Outdoor dining on private property or public right-of-way, subject to Section 118-93.

(2)

Activities needing a special use permit, if the activity is conducted with a principal use in the district: Garden and plant material sales in a roofed area that is at least 40 percent enclosed by walls.

(3)

Certain parking and loading spaces for commercial vehicles, subject to Section 118-217.

(4)

Outdoor pet exercise areas only in conjunction with an animal shelter.

(Ord. No. 09-1-C-3657, § 2, 1-5-2009; Ord. No. 09-7-C-3691, § 1, 7-20-2009; Ord. No. 16-10-C-4250, § 2, 10-6-2016; Ord. No. 19-4-C-4451, § 1, 4-15-2019)

To promote a pedestrian scale environment, the following design standards shall apply:

(1)

Sidewalks must have a minimum paved width of 5' and have a common alignment within a block.

(2)

The effective walkway width of a sidewalk shall at all times be at least 5' wide. The effective walkway width is the shortest hard-surfaced distance between obstructions, hazards, or buildings along a walkway.

(3)

All efforts shall be made to promote and preserve street trees.

(4)

All sidewalk and parkway improvements shall be consistent with Village streetscaping plans.

(Ord. No. 09-1-C-3657, § 2, 1-5-2009; Ord. No. 15-5-C-4142, § 3, 5-4-2015; Ord. No. 19-4-C-4451, § 1, 4-15-2019)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 15-5-C-4142, § 3, adopted May 4, 2015, deleted § 118-187 which pertained to sight distance triangle and derived from Ord. No. 09-1-C-3657, § 2, adopted Jan. 5, 2009. Said ordinance also renumbered § 118-188 as § 118-187 to read as set out.

Editor's note— Ord. No. 11-3-C-3823, § 1, adopted Mar. 7, 2011, deleted § 118-189 which pertained to rentals and derived from Ord. No. 09-1-C-3657, § 2, adopted Jan. 5, 2009.

Editor's note— Ord. No. 09-7-C-3691, § 1, adopted July 20, 2009, deleted § 118-190. Former § 118-190 pertained to truck parking and derived from Ord. No. 09-1-C-3657, § 2, adopted Jan. 5, 2009.