Taking one more step in a long pursuit to improve the village’s beach access, the Winnetka Park District has submitted special use permits for the controversial Centennial Beach renovation project to the village’s Zoning Board of Appeals.
Permits were submitted to the Village of Winnetka on April 3, marking a major step toward getting the long-awaited beach project completed. Permits for a previous version of the plan were pulled from consideration after a narrow vote by the Winnetka Park District Board in June 2022.
The project will see multiple breakwater systems put in place on both Elder and Centennial beaches to retain sand for a swimming beach and an off-leash dog beach. Other features include an ADA-accessible pathway, a walkway on top of one breakwater to allow for 360 degree views of the lake and revamped native vegetation along walking pathways.
“The Centennial Beach Enhancement Project represents a collaborative effort to enhance the quality of life for Winnetka residents and visitors alike,” Winnetka Park Board President Christina Codo said in a news release. “By preserving and enhancing this iconic community space, Winnetka Park District remains committed to fostering a vibrant and inclusive community environment.”
The project, estimated to cost $14 million, has caused uproar in the village owing to a land swap between the Park District and billionaire Justin Ishbia, partial owner of the Phoenix Suns basketball team. The swap would see land Ishbia owns at 261 Sheridan Road, directly between the two beaches, swapped for a similar-sized parcel of land at the southern end of Centennial Park.
Some residents opposed the swap, arguing the Park District shouldn’t be in the business of giving public land to private citizens. Others who approve of the swap say they would like to see the Park District finally combine the two beaches, a dream of many that has been pursued for decades.
The swap, despite being signed in October 2020, has since been labeled dormant by Ishbia and the Park District.
During the April 11 Park District meeting, resident Ted Wynnychenko compared the swap to the Civil War era law that Arizona legislators are using to justify an abortion ban in their state.
“It’s kinda crazy that you guys are progressing with the whole beach thing leaving the land swap issue up in the air,” he said. “Dormancy, like a 160-year-old ban on abortions, doesn’t mean anything because someone can come along and change what you’re living under at any moment.”
Wynnychenko went on to say the board should take a stance, one way or the other, on the land swap before spending money on the project.
Director of Parks and Maintenance Costa Kutulas told the board permits will need to go before the village’s Design Review Board, the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Plan Commission before going to Village Council for a final vote.
From there, permits will be adjusted as deemed by the village and submitted to the United States Army Corps of Engineers and Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
“Based on their (Army Corps and IDNR) review and the findings of those separate submittals, that information will come back. At the same time, the information will be shared with the village and their staff,” Kutulas said. “At that time, they (the village) will then bring in their third party consultant to review the plans as well.”
If any changes are required by the village, permits would need to be sent back to state and federal entities.
The Park District hopes to have the project completed in late 2025 and reopen the beaches for the 2026 season.
Plans for Elder Lane Beach are on hold while the village completes a stormwater review to determine if an outfall pipe on the beach needs replacing. The Park District has plans to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with the village to replace the pipe if deemed necessary. Results will be available in July, according to the village.
There was no requirement that the permits be submitted to the village when the project originally began. Since then, the village has moved forward with applying the special use permitting process to projects being completed on lake bluffs and in the steep slope zone in order to protect the land and homeowners property.
The village took on the issue after concerns raised by residents about the construction at Ishbia’s other property, a 3.7 acre consolidated lot where he plans to build a $43.7 million mansion for his family. To create the lot, Ishbia purchased several plots south of Centennial Park and petitioned the village to consolidate them. At the time, there were no limitations to lot sizes for consolidation. The village has since implemented a maximum lot consolidation size to prevent another instance like Ishbia’s from happening again.
However, the ordinance isn’t retroactive, meaning Ishbia’s plans will move forward.
