Lakefront Regulations

Village Council has devoted significant time in 2023 to discussing zoning, development, and engineering regulations that apply to properties within the Village that abut the lakefront of Lake Michigan as a result of public debate and numerous questions raised about the nature and extent of public and private property rights along the lakeshore.

Council Study Session: September 12

Village Council conducted a study session to learn more about the potential effects of development on the Winnetka bluffs along Lake Michigan and to further consider whether to establish steep slope development regulations. The Council did not take a formal vote on this matter during this meeting. View the presentations given during the meeting:

At the conclusion of the meeting, Council members provided Village staff and the Village Attorney direction regarding the need for additional information on the topic and their desire to continue to consider the potential of adopting steep slope development regulations. The Council will continue its discussion at a future meeting, the date of which has yet to be determined.    

View the video from the meeting here. 

Lake Bluff Steep Slope Construction Study and Permit Abeyance Period: July 6, 2023 - April 6, 2024

On July 18, 2023, the Village Council adopted Ordinance No. MC-08-2023, An Ordinance Amending the Text of the Village Zoning Ordinance to Establish a Study and Permit Abeyance Period for Construction in the Steep Slope Area Along Lake Michigan. The general purpose of the proposed amendments is to establish a study period to pause construction activity in the steep slope zone to ensure the Village has time to adequately analyze and adopt any necessary regulations and examine the effects of construction on the Winnetka bluffs along Lake Michigan. During the Permit Abeyance Period, the Village will not accept applications for, and will not issue, any permits for any construction within the steep slope zone along Lake Michigan that requires a building permit from the Village. However, the following construction activity within the steep slope zone requiring a building permit is exempted from this prohibition and permit applications for such construction will be accepted: repairs or general maintenance of the bluff or structures or utility facilities on the bluff, construction activity entirely within an existing building, or restoration of property, facilities, and structures that suffer a casualty loss. For a property containing a steep slope zone, the Village will continue to accept applications for construction activity located outside of the steep slope zone. 

July 18: Regular Council Meeting

At this meeting, the Council adopted four ordinances that would create a new zoning district for properties on the lakefront, amend the zoning map to include this new zoning district, establish a study and permit abeyance period for construction along the steep slope area of the lake, and amend the Village's zoning ordinance to more clearly define the processes and procedures for adjustments, modifications, and amendments to special use permits. 

July 6: Regular Council Meeting

At this meeting, the Council introduced four ordinances that would create a new zoning district for properties on the lakefront, amend the zoning map to include this new zoning district, establish a study and permit abeyance period for construction along the steep slope area of the lake, and amend the Village's zoning ordinance to more clearly define the processes and procedures for adjustments, modifications, and amendments to special use permits. 

March 21: Regular Council Meeting

At this meeting, the Village Attorney advised Council on the Village Code updates, which included updates to language, notice requirements for appeals, and permitting criteria as directed by Council at the March 7 meeting. Council discussed circumstances related to the future vision of the Village, property value, and concerns regarding residential and public access. Ordinance MC-05-2023 was adopted at this meeting. Council also asked that active lakefront permits appear on the Village website.

March 7: Regular Council Meeting

The Village Council directed the Village Attorney and staff to prepare an ordinance amending certain provisions of the Village Code related to lakefront regulations. In providing this direction, the Council recognized that it was important to prepare amendments now to establish more clearly the nature and extent of the Village's permit requirements for construction of structures in and adjacent to Lake Michigan. At the same time, it was recognized that this first set of amendments was intended to be narrow and in place for a relatively short period of time while the Village undertakes a more comprehensive study and analysis of possible additional lakefront and steep slope regulations that the Village may want to adopt. At the March 7, 2023 Council meeting, a draft ordinance amending certain provisions of the Village Code related to lake front regulations was introduced for discussion.

January 31: Special Study Session

January 10: Study Session

At the Council study session on January 10, 2023, representatives from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the Village attorney, and Village staff from the Community Development and Engineering departments presented information regarding existing zoning, development, and engineering regulations that currently apply to lakefront properties. Village staff surveyed comparable communities and presented information regarding these communities' lakefront regulations. Council reviewed and discussed the existing Federal, State and local regulations, legal options, and comparable community regulations.

Due to the late hour, the January 10 Study session was continued at a special Study Session on January 31.

Active Lakeshore Projects

Information about permitting for active projects is shown in the table below:

Address

Project Description

Permit Status

205 SheridanConstruction of Shore Protection System and Sand NourishmentUSACE - Approved
IEPA - Approved
IDNR - Approved
MWRD - Approved
Village - Approved
151 SheridanNew Breakwater, Maintenance to Revetment, and Sand NourishmentUSACE - Approved
IEPA - Approved
IDNR - Approved
MWRD - Under Review
Village - Under Review
1055 SheridanMaintenance to Revetment

IDNR - Approved
IEPA - Approved
USACE - Approved
Village - Approved