Public park improvements that billionaire Justin Ishbia favors and agreed to partly fund for the lakefront space next door to his massive, $77 million mansion under construction have encountered more obstacles in Winnetka.
The plan for Centennial Park Beach now hangs in the balance after zoning officials with the Village of Winnetka voted against approving a special use permit for the project that was sought by the Winnetka Park District, a separate unit of government.
The decision during this week’s Zoning Board of Appeals meeting follows a series of public hearings where the park district attempted to address concerns raised by commissioners about the safety and design of the plans, the Record North Shore reported.
This latest setback comes despite a significant financial contribution from Justin Ishbia, founder of Shore Capital Partners, whose $3 million donation to the Winnetka Park District was intended to fund renovations for both Centennial and Elder parks’ beaches.
His donation, initially met with controversy due to a separate and since abandoned land exchange proposal, is part of the billionaire’s broader effort to improve the parks adjacent to his $77 million lakefront mansion that’s under construction. While the land exchange has been put on hold, Ishbia’s donation was seen as a major investment in the community beach facilities.
Still, Ishbia’s proposed renovation plans have been met with significant pushback. At the Dec. 9 meeting, commissioners expressed concerns over the safety of the proposed pier, which includes a rock base that some feared could pose a hazard to beachgoers.
“I didn’t see, other than a suggestion of signage last time, that there would be an intention or a willingness to protect the public with anything special,” said ZBA Commissioner Mark Haller, underscoring the safety issues that have yet to be addressed.
Another concern was the location of the pier, which some commissioners felt was too close to the swimming area. Commissioner Lynn Hanley voiced concern about the risks, saying, “I don’t know that swimming and rocks go together.”
Beyond the pier design, there were additional issues raised by the ZBA. Its commissioners questioned the park district’s plans to place the dog beach next to the swimming area, suggesting that such a layout could create safety concerns for both dog owners and swimmers.
Commissioner Haller also criticized the proposed ADA-accessible path, warning that it could become overcrowded and dangerous. Further frustration arose over the park district’s choice of portable restrooms instead of permanent facilities.
Director Costa Kutulas explained that portable bathrooms were selected due to past resistance to permanent structures, but ZBA members, including Commissioner Mike Nielsen, called the portable solution a “band-aid,” indicating that it did not address the long-term needs of the beach.
The parking situation also raised doubts. The existing parking lot at Centennial Park has only 11 spots, and some commissioners, like Chairman Matthew Bradley, questioned whether it would be adequate given the increased demand after renovations.
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A parking study commissioned by the park district indicated that the lot, along with overflow parking at Elder Beach, would suffice. However, Bradley expressed concerns, stating, “Eleven spots is certainly outrageous for the usage that will be contemplated there.”
Although the ZBA’s vote represents a hurdle for the Centennial Beach renovation, the park district still has opportunities to address these concerns. The plans will be reviewed by the Plan Commission and the Design Review Board before reaching the Village Council for potential final approval.
— Andrew Terrell