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Itasca board approves corner‑yard fence variance, hears downtown historic addition and special‑use time limit change
Summary
The Village of Itasca Board on Sept. 2 accepted a Plan Commission recommendation to grant a variance allowing a 4‑foot picket fence to be located within 10 feet of the right‑of‑way at 625 Alexandra Court, and reviewed other community development items including a historic‑district addition and a zoning text amendment to shorten the activation period for special uses.
The Village of Itasca Board on Sept. 2 accepted a Plan Commission recommendation to grant a variance allowing a 4‑foot picket fence to be located within 10 feet of the right‑of‑way at 625 Alexandra Court, and received information on a certificate of appropriateness for an addition at 310 North Walnut Street. The board also approved forwarding a zoning text amendment that would reduce the special‑use approval activation period from two years to one.
The variance request for 625 Alexandra Court would permit a fence to sit within 10 feet of the right‑of‑way instead of the 30.81 feet required by the zoning code. Village President Jeffrey J. Prine read the Plan Commission report and asked for the board’s consideration. Curtis, community development staff, told the board the Plan Commission recommended approval by a 6‑0 vote and that the variance is specific to a 4‑foot open picket fence “in general conformance with the plans and drawings depicted in exhibit C” to the staff report. The board voted to accept the Plan Commission findings and recommendation; the item will return for final approval at the Sept. 16 meeting.
The historical commission granted a certificate of appropriateness for a roughly 450‑square‑foot rear addition at 310 North Walnut Street, part of the village’s historic district review process. Community development staff said the petitioner did not request any variances; the certificate was for information only and no board action was required.
On a separate amendment, the Plan Commission recommended, by voice vote, reducing the special‑use permit activation limit in section 14.11 of the Itasca zoning ordinance from two years to one year, while retaining an opportunity for a one‑year extension through the village board when warranted. Curtis explained the change would align Itasca’s code with contemporary practice in surrounding communities and clarify language about revocation and extension of special‑use permits.
The board’s actions were procedural: acceptance of the Plan Commission recommendations for the variance and the text amendment and acknowledgment of the historical commission’s certificate of appropriateness. No substantive building permits were issued at the meeting; the fence variance will return for final consideration on Sept. 16.
Why it matters: corner yards and special‑use timing affect property rights, neighborhood character and the village’s enforcement timeline for new businesses and land uses. Shortening the activation window changes how quickly applicants must implement approved special uses or seek extensions.
Board members and staff emphasized visual safety and compatibility. Community development staff confirmed the proposed fence would be set back and would not violate the intersection vision triangle. The certificate of appropriateness item reiterated that new construction inside the historic district requires historical‑commission review before a building permit can be issued.
The board did not take final action on the zoning text amendment (first reading); members were reminded the item will be on the Sept. 16 agenda for final action.
