Gurnee planning board recommends zoning changes to limit and size accessory structures

The Village of Gurnee Planning and Zoning Board on Wednesday voted to recommend that the Village Board amend the zoning code to tighten rules governing accessory structures on residential lots. The board approved forwarding a text amendment addressing four areas: height measurement, quantity, footprint and use.

Planning staff said the amendment would measure the peak height of accessory structures against the mid-peak of the primary residence so that accessory buildings remain visually subordinate. Staff also proposed excluding fences from the accessory-structure count and limiting counted accessory items to those 25 square feet or larger. The cumulative allowed footprint of all accessory structures would be reduced from 100% of the primary structure footprint to 75%.

On use, staff said permanent stairways to attic or second-floor accessory spaces would be prohibited to prevent conversion of accessory buildings into primary dwelling units; the staff presentation noted the building code already prohibits kitchens, full bathrooms and sleeping areas in accessory structures. A staff presenter summarized the approach: "we are proposing to measure the peak of the accessory structures against the mid peak of the primary structures" and said the cumulative-footprint limit was reduced: "we lowered that threshold down to 75%."

Board members agreed the amendments addressed concerns raised in prior informal meetings and that the proposed language would make accessory structures subordinate in scale and use to the primary residential building. A motion to forward a favorable recommendation to the Village Board to amend Article 2.2 (rules and measurements) and Article 10.2 (accessory structures and uses) passed on a roll-call vote, with Campbell, Stewart Haas, Martin, Weir and Mancilla recorded as voting aye.

The recommendation now goes to the Village Board for final consideration; staff said the amendments reflect feedback from the informal review and will be memorialized in the formal public hearing record.