Scannell Properties/Berman-Lapetina Enterprises Gets Planning Approval for Skokie, IL, Self-Storage Facility

The Skokie, Ill., Plan Commission has recommended approval for a four-story self-storage facility proposed by real estate developer Scannell Properties on behalf of Berman-Lapetina Enterprises LLC. The 48-foot tall structure would be built in the 5800 block of Howard Street but requires a zoning amendment to allow the height of the building, a zoning change from “office assembly industry” to “light industry,” and the subdivision of 14 lots into one parcel, according to the source. The village board would also have to approve a special-use permit. Upon completion, it would be occupied by self-storage real estate investment trust Extra Space Storage Inc.

The target building site is currently an unused parking lot, according to village planners. The self-storage facility would include office and sales space on the first floor, with the top floors reserved for storage units. Twenty-six units along the north and west facades would have exterior access, architect Michael Carney of Reitan Architects LLC said during a Jan. 5 planning meeting.

Planners have approved the project’s public-parking plan, which will include 12 outdoor spaces. Though the developer indicated most of those spots won’t be used at one time, the Niles Township High School District 219 expressed concern about the potential of its nearby administrative building being used by customers for overflow parking.

"We certainly welcome a commercial tax base that helps both the village and the school district with [the] sales-tax revenue that this facility would generate," Eric Trimberger, district assistant superintendent, said during the meeting. "The district's only concern about this development is the number of parking spots."

Planning supervisor Steve Marciani reassured Trimberger that the amount of parking was adequate for the facility based on historically low demands at other self-storage properties in the village. The site layout also wouldn’t make parking at the district building convenient, he said.

No timetable was reported for when the village board is expected to vote on the project.

Headquartered in Salt Lake City, Extra Space owns or operates 1,421 self-storage properties in 38 states; Washington, D.C.; and Puerto Rico. The company’s properties comprise approximately 955,000 units and 107 million square feet of rentable space.

Scannell Properties is headquartered in Indianapolis and has seven satellite offices across the nation. It offers architecture, construction-management, development, engineering, finance and legal services.

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