Skokie Approves 68-Unit Townhome Development on Main Street

Divided village board votes 5-2 to advance developer's plans despite resident concerns over density and traffic

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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The Skokie Village Board voted 5-2 to approve a 68-townhome development proposed for the site of the former Arie Crown Hebrew Day School on Main Street, despite concerns from some residents about the project's density and potential traffic impacts on the surrounding neighborhood. The developer, Fulton Street Companies, plans to build a mix of two- and three-bedroom units with two-car garages, and has agreed to pay a fee-in-lieu of providing on-site affordable housing units.

Why it matters

The development marks a significant change for the Main Street area, which has historically been home to the Arie Crown Hebrew Day School. Some residents worry the influx of new residents and vehicles will strain the local infrastructure and pose safety risks, while the village sees the project as an opportunity to revitalize the vacant lot and generate new tax revenue.

The details

The proposed one-lot planned development will include 24 two-bedroom and 44 three-bedroom townhomes, all with two-car garages. The plan commission has allocated 158 total parking spaces. The vacant lot is still owned by the Arie Crown Hebrew Day School, which has agreed to sell the land if the townhome development is approved. Several residents expressed concerns over the development's density and potential traffic congestion, arguing it could strain the already busy Main Street intersection and pose safety risks. The developer has proposed paying a $450,000 fee-in-lieu of providing the required 4 on-site affordable housing units.

  • The Skokie Village Board voted on the development proposal on Tuesday, February 21, 2026.
  • Arie Crown Hebrew Day School relocated to a new location in May 2024, leaving the Main Street property vacant.

The players

Fulton Street Companies

A Chicago-based real estate firm that is the developer behind the proposed 68-townhome project on the former Arie Crown Hebrew Day School site.

Arie Crown Hebrew Day School

The former owner of the Main Street property that has agreed to sell the land if the townhome development is approved.

Ann Tennes

The mayor of Skokie, who acknowledged the development decision was "a tough one" but expressed confidence the village would work with the developer to minimize disruptions.

Lissa Levy

A Skokie village trustee who voted against the development proposal.

Gail Schechter

A Skokie village trustee who voted against the development proposal, arguing it did not do enough to address environmental impacts and should include more affordable housing.

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What they’re saying

“We must do our best to stay on top, and I have every faith the developer will indeed, from the start, be a good neighbor.”

— Ann Tennes, Mayor of Skokie (Chicago Tribune)

“The highest and best use of land does not mean the maximum possible development. Government should serve as the public's stewards, especially mindful of those who have no vote, like children, trees and wildlife.”

— Gail Schechter, Skokie Village Trustee (Chicago Tribune)

“If we do go with affordable [housing], we need to increase the density on the site to be able to accommodate that and still fit their parameters that you know capital markets are looking for.”

— Ross Babel, Co-founder, Fulton Street Companies (Chicago Tribune)

What’s next

The Skokie Village Board has not yet set a date to approve a formal ordinance for the development project.

The takeaway

This development highlights the tensions between a municipality's desire for new tax revenue and residential growth, and the concerns of existing residents about the impacts on their community. The village's approval of the project, despite some dissent, suggests a willingness to accept increased density, but the debate over affordable housing and environmental impacts shows the need to balance multiple priorities.