SKOKIE, Ill. (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Skokie residents will have an opportunity next week to weigh in on a plan by the car vending machine company Carvana to build a retail location there.
Carbons plan includes a 135 feet tall glass and steel-lighted tower that would display cars along with office space on the site of what's now a parking lot at 98 to 1 Woods Drive. It's currently near a housing complex.
Skokie resident, Mina Einhorn, who lives next door, said there's all kinds of issues. She told the Skokie Review there's noise and light and a forest preserve in the area.
“What does it do to the wildlife in the forest preserve”, she added. Carvana needs a zoning change to move forward with the project.
Matt Brand Meyer, the community development director with the village, said Carvana has been meeting with area residents attempting to reach an agreement.
“In my evaluation … the office research district is an industrial district. So, the question is, is an auto dealer appropriate in this district … kind of keeping in mind you have this residential development next door,” Brandmeyer told the Skokie Review.
“What’s different about this auto dealer compared to others? In other industrial districts there are auto repair, car washes, gas pumps, all these other things you would commonly find in an auto dealership.”
A plan commission hearing is scheduled on Nov. 18 that's expected to be well attended.
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