[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6022556,"mediaKeyId","5764905-5ff42e87bb2ab2231a53121aa5f0e795","parentId",5764905,"title","Council approves several conditional-use permits and variances including storage fencing, fueling station and golf-club additions","audioSeconds",90,"startMs",219000,"endMs",309000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5764905-5ff42e87bb2ab2231a53121aa5f0e795&start=219&end=309","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5764905-5ff42e87bb2ab2231a53121aa5f0e795/thumbnail_219000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6022556/Mchenry/McHenry-County/Illinois/Council-approves-several-conditional-use-permits-and-variances-including-storage-fencing-fueling-station-and-golf-club-additions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6022556-14e8ca78cc801248004daedb86387679/orig.mp4?Expires=1775118998&Signature=Tn4aoJ~nCHtkdOLg9XIiyfB3n8-FAu0M3C4m9Q8rcgojLdXcuvJFKIA6WkEg2JZsLUkAxNMNo1jU9xHhb9pgj6Q~OqJ0ZzQN1YcGv4KuH1NoHTlNzU1q42xr9G6LqN7bXjt~hiLDgX4UzKPn-mOJB3RrL7fWwFAv371m-DVq7~RpTe27iA~eXFcZGBSqOE4emrf3-CSV559ADUv9HMsR8dNka7kf7eVzscTP82F6daHkvi0RClTvpqPp8HYZvZpKmBSEllh9QY7V3rl9XIho6QxCV3YudZECn0yJNn0pUpfiuqLdEVkZl8dnPLidjNCieL2fOXr1ivuVRV2VfBs46g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Mchenry, IL","date","2025-09-03T13:00:31Z","article","The McHenry City Council approved three separate conditional-use permits and related variations: a security fence and fence variance for a mini-warehouse at 5149 Bulger Court; a conditional-use permit with sign and zoning variations for the Autumn Auto fueling station at 3702 West Elm Street; and a conditional-use permit to allow a clubhouse pavilion and cart-storage barn at McHenry Golf Club (820 North John Street).

On the Bulger Court item councilors indicated no objection to the security fence. Alderman Glenn observed the fence issue had not come to the council when the facility was originally approved in 2022, but said he did not oppose the current request.

On the West Elm fueling station, Alderman Glenn also raised issues about an alley behind the site that is currently used for parking and suggested the city consider enforcing right-of-way rules if private uses are occupying the alley. He also said he was reluctant to approve blanket zoning variations without full detail; the council debated that tradeoff before moving forward. The clerk recorded a roll call on the fueling-station item that included one recorded no vote by an alderman; the motion passed.

On the McHenry Golf Club item the council approved the CUP to permit a clubhouse pavilion and cart storage barn for the existing golf course; the vote was recorded in the clerk’s roll call and the motion passed without substantive public opposition.

Motions and votes: Each item was moved and seconded on the consent or regular agenda; roll-call votes were recorded and each ordinance passed. No amendments to the measures were made at the meeting.

Next steps: Staff will record the approved variances and update permit files. Alderman Glenn’s comments about alley use prompted staff to note potential future enforcement or review of property-use rights around the fueling-station parcel.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","9-2-25 City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The council passed ordinances granting a fence variance for a self-storage facility at 5149 Bulger Court, a conditional-use permit and sign/zoning variations for an existing fueling station at 3702 West Elm Street, and a CUP for a clubhouse pavilion and cart barn at McHenry Golf Club.","taxTitle","Mchenry, McHenry County, Illinois","taxId",56189,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6022561,"Developer previews riverfront condo plan at former Vicky’s site; council raises parking and riverfront-use concerns",990,1741000,2731000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5764905-5ff42e87bb2ab2231a53121aa5f0e795&start=1741&end=2731","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5764905-5ff42e87bb2ab2231a53121aa5f0e795/thumbnail_1741000.jpg","/articles/6022561/Mchenry/McHenry-County/Illinois/Developer-previews-riverfront-condo-plan-at-former-Vickys-site-council-raises-parking-and-riverfront-use-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6022561-a0b21eb93cdaca41f55bdb5748d88dfd/orig.mp4?Expires=1775118998&Signature=DKzlpBIR02mgQvAzm7PHknkpvX4z0GMwwxxx2Kt7sLx6eLmNa5Osif2GR7XXT4NQv439n6j5jfT6PH1VuoHA2CXqv5IBFCfLHWNBhJmi1sLZjFVu-1vo4MiID3Q0fTTKMIhppyG0lsnkTVpdawmjrjS6Z9tnN7Wq4L0uti1cn~4a3iy-oFfh1apIH-LAIOQsPPdTQUY5u9nqsdo2HGz~OpnP2kL2sSqWpfI0-mfreRWwSafQppWxEbP0bvQ5cNJUzuyCXpAE~RdZn45ZBpKaPj2nJLbVOX5-mBOE57H68hLbQUWHwEV2aNyVim~HlpA7pJRvdlC5MoCsrhBRh5~H-g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The council held a conceptual review of a proposed condominium development for the former Vicky’s restaurant site on the Fox River, and members raised concerns about parking, building height and loss of commercial riverfront uses.

John Swirk, president of Direct Design LTD, DDCA Architects, presented the concept on behalf of Over the Bridge LLC and said the site is “about just under a half acre” and the proposal shows residential units above a garage with roughly 40 resident parking stalls and 10 visitor spaces in a secured garage. Swirk described the layout and said upper floors step back to reduce massing along the street.

Developer representative Nick Mazzio confirmed the units would be owner-occupied condominiums and said, “These condos, are they gonna be owner occupied? 100%. Definitely.” The applicant also said overnight docks exist on the site but not every unit will have an overnight slip.

Council members raised repeated concerns. Alderman Doherty said the plan appears “too dense” and voiced doubt that on-street or nearby overflow parking can accommodate residents’ needs. Alderman Miller and others said they worry about converting prime riverfront parcels from commercial uses — restaurants and retail that serve boaters and visitors — to strictly residential uses. Alderman Bassi asked whether the project would meet the city’s parking ordinance; staff replied the current plan does not meet the 1.5 spaces-per-unit requirement and the applicant would need a variance or another solution.

The developer said the economics of the proposal depend on the unit count and height; removing floors would raise per-unit costs and could make the project unviable. Swirk and the applicant asked for conceptual feedback; council members asked the developer to return with refined plans addressing parking, height and potential mixed-use alternatives.

No formal action was taken; the presentation was conceptual and meant to solicit council direction. Staff and the applicant will follow up on parking, possible variances, and whether the council would prefer a mixed-use alternative on the riverfront site.","A developer presented a conceptual plan to build condominiums over a garage at the former Vicky’s site; council members expressed concerns about density, parking, five-story height and loss of riverfront commercial uses.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6022565,"Council approves McHenry Music Fest permits and waives city service fees after debate over policing costs",849,873000,1722000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5764905-5ff42e87bb2ab2231a53121aa5f0e795&start=873&end=1722","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5764905-5ff42e87bb2ab2231a53121aa5f0e795/thumbnail_873000.jpg","/articles/6022565/Mchenry/McHenry-County/Illinois/Council-approves-McHenry-Music-Fest-permits-and-waives-city-service-fees-after-debate-over-policing-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6022565-0e1cd2ca76b77ee6817a79ce7a39d27f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775118998&Signature=ZCBrrDAGb~mhdVE1bdU9RJIpV6qhIXYzdcOhgQ9EEo3SiazA5br~vjHNk6yv3mCOSrul~YVhtzBWYxtl3RXs68SzsEMnXKUIfn6b0hC8cuNPTTmyKtwE719EvQ-xfhZqCzqkhHQwRBkjmMTzawSGhMBum6jTRcF5eAEfO-A3hJVBqcMqkGVoenqX~IdZhqXS2x5Tw45Uzlf~BGj4jbDOi9vjTmbnTnHLir7dju5Ks2AaSDmo5ScwIsKv7yn7o2s37xm-YqmsUwtsbA~ZiCDyOiNTrc4EgfqG4I3AXuh5leMdjLOTwlOYaoL~TknWY3nmj40w426E1H-dfSKgnLjA-w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The McHenry City Council approved permits and a fee waiver for the Rise Up Foundation’s McHenry Music Fest, including park use, an amended special event liquor license and a 100% reduction in city charges for event-related services.

Council split the event approvals into three votes. Alderman Davis moved to approve the park use; Alderman Bailey seconded and the motion passed. For the liquor license, the council amended the motion to set timing: drink ticket sales to cease 30 minutes before park closure and serving of alcohol to cease 15 minutes before closure; Alderman Behney moved the amended motion and Alderman Miller seconded. The council approved the liquor license with that amendment. The council also approved a 100% reduction of charges for city services incurred by the event.

The approvals followed extended questioning about public-safety staffing and the festival’s financial flows. Alderman Bassi asked the police chief for total police labor costs for the three-day event; the chief said he did not have a final figure and noted the city historically does not bill the festival for those costs. The chief explained existing practice for sales cutoffs: “We we cut off ticket sales 45 minutes before closure, and then we cut off alcohol sales 30 minutes before the end of the concert.”

Organizer and city leader Mayor Jett defended the foundation’s work and its fundraising role, saying the festival operates with hundreds of volunteers and significant private fundraising: “I risked $3,000,000 as it is, to also put more risk on it,” Jett said, adding that the foundation performs annual audits and returns money to community projects. Council members and public commenters expressed mixed views. Alderman Bassi said he would prefer the city be reimbursed before private proceeds are donated; others, including Alderman Bailey, urged support for the foundation’s contributions to parks and events. Public commenter Nathan Fenton said the festival’s private funding has paid for improvements residents otherwise would not have seen.

Councilors also recorded figures referenced by the organizer: two concerts generated $200,000 donations each, one $300,000 donation, and a prior $250,000 donation from a private donor in 2023; the organizer said the foundation can provide annual audits if requested.

Motion and votes: The amended motion on the liquor license (ticket sales to cease 30 minutes before closure; alcohol service to cease 15 minutes before closure) passed on a roll call that recorded one dissenting vote by Alderman Bassi. The 100% reduction of city-service charges also passed with recorded dissent.

Next steps: The Rise Up Foundation will stage the multi-day festival at Petersen Park on Sept. 10–12, 2026, under the conditions approved by the council. The police department will compute event labor costs after the fact; the council did not require reimbursement prior to the festival.","Council approved Petersen Park use, a special event liquor license (amended timing for ticket and alcohol sales), and a 100% reduction in city service charges for the McHenry Music Fest; aldermen pressed organizers about police and staff costs but the city did not secure reimbursement.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6022569,"Council approves zoning change for 33-unit PUD at 3510 West Elm Street",541,314000,855000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5764905-5ff42e87bb2ab2231a53121aa5f0e795&start=314&end=855","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5764905-5ff42e87bb2ab2231a53121aa5f0e795/thumbnail_314000.jpg","/articles/6022569/Mchenry/McHenry-County/Illinois/Council-approves-zoning-change-for-33-unit-PUD-at-3510-West-Elm-Street","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6022569-1792fd895dc19ac975b9cd24522962df/orig.mp4?Expires=1775118998&Signature=mOG4Oy8CYEvliE9mIvkHu8~gxw1ZWEc8vRIXwNMVWX8FaYSfG2SmOOmxMUxUPbeABh6CNc2antmVJw7hS7RvgJhSMZYJP8ED4fyJY9NIgTfsQVuy1kS6rYm7krQovj2nGFfyinymbDId0d9stNedBxw9wRvWWBwfVkN~fy7LsnkQ8sRi13S4VwmssaT4rFIATAN2FxNlRySHG1nWieabrDpm~9Pu8hYhRZEZkxgA0nRBFaYF8gEuHV~pza5z9mcWc-AJ7A6-JXs~-GnSxhG7w2~aWAxNqbi~YpzcuDCnbyhCccpHWRJ20z8Pt8ML-ML7yYXicse1hdxYjdBMkqGeqg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The McHenry City Council on a unanimous vote approved a final plan and zoning change to a planned unit development for a 33-unit apartment building at 3510 West Elm Street.

City staff described the vote as a final zoning approval of a PUD for the site. Ross, a staff member, told the council, “You're approving or not approving a PUD for the site, which is the the final zoning approval.” That explanation framed the council’s action as a change in zoning to allow the proposed apartment development.

The matter mattered to council members because the PUD converts the parcel to multifamily residential zoning. Ross said the project will be apartments within the footprint of the building and confirmed the zoning classification would be RM 2 once the PUD is approved. The council clarified that this vote was for the final zoning and plan, not a separate financial commitment.

Developer representative Itamar Desha said the applicant will later request tax-increment financing: “We will come and ask for what we, what the taxes the tax increment can provide to the project.” Council members asked whether any city-funded subsidy would be required; Desha said the request would be limited to what tax increment could provide and would not be “from the city to bring from another bucket”.

Council questions also clarified parcel boundaries: the council confirmed the nearby gas station parcel is a separate lot and is not included in this PUD; staff noted discussions with a separate party about that parcel but nothing final was before the council. Council members also pressed staff and the applicant about parking, site layout and the difference between a conceptual approval and the final plan the council was voting on.

Motion and vote: Alderman Doherty moved to approve the PUD and final plan; Alderman Miller seconded. The clerk called the roll and the motion carried with a majority of aldermen voting yes; Alderman Glab recorded a no vote on the record.

Next steps: The approved zoning change allows the applicant to pursue final building and financing steps. The applicant indicated it will return to request any tax-increment funding; no such funding was approved as part of the zoning vote.

The council’s materials noted the project as a final plan approval to convert the site to a multifamily PUD; specific building permits and any future financing requests will return to staff and the council as required.","The McHenry City Council voted to approve a planned unit development (PUD) zoning change and final plan for a 33-unit multifamily project at 3510 West Elm Street after staff explained the plan and the applicant said it may seek tax-increment assistance.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves several conditional-use permits and variances including storage fencing, fueling station and golf-club additions

Developer previews riverfront condo plan at former Vicky’s site; council raises parking and riverfront-use concerns

Council approves McHenry Music Fest permits and waives city service fees after debate over policing costs

Council approves zoning change for 33-unit PUD at 3510 West Elm Street