The Mid Cameron County Zoning Board of Appeals voted 7‑0 to recommend that McHenry County reclassify a parcel along Washington Street in Greenwood Township from I‑1 (Light Industrial) to R‑1 (Residential) and to grant a frontage variation from 100 feet to 73.9 feet. The petition (Z25‑0041) was presented by attorney Jeremy Shaw for owner Kevin Zangi.

Shaw said the request aims to consolidate multiple legacy parcels and to regularize a property whose primary use for decades has been residential. "It is very difficult, if not impossible, by today's lending standards to be able to mortgage a property for residential use that's nonconforming," Shaw told the board. Owner Kevin Zangi testified, "The house has always been used as residential," adding that industrial activity on site had ceased.

County planner Melanie Jacobson told the board staff would remain neutral on the map amendment because the request balances long‑term industrial planning with the area’s existing residential character. Staff noted the county future‑land‑use map designates the area for office/research/industrial uses, but aerial records show the residential use predates the 1979 zoning ordinance and the parcel is a legal nonconforming use.

The petition also sought a frontage variance because a small portion of the land is annexed to the City of Woodstock, which reduces the frontage counted in the unincorporated county measurement. Shaw said the annexed triangle and multiple parcel lines create a technical hardship; the petitioner intends to combine the lots if the map amendment is approved.

Board members emphasized the parcel sits at the fringe of an industrial corridor and that the surrounding land uses on the downtown side of Washington Street are primarily residential. Charlie Eldridge, who moved approval, said the future‑land‑use map is general and not parcel specific in such transition areas. After discussion the board voted 7‑0 to recommend approval; the motion was seconded by Mr. Schnabel.

The ZBA recommendation will be forwarded to the McHenry County Board for final action.