Committee approves special-use permit to formalize public stable in Hampshire (Chestnut Skies LLC)

The Kane County Development Committee approved petition 4657 (Christopher Haas on behalf of Chestnut Skies LLC) to allow a public stable in the F Farming zoning district at 8N852 Burlington Road in Plato Township. The petitioner sought a special-use permit to bring an existing equestrian operation into compliance; the site includes a primary barn and arena on one parcel and approximately 40 acres used to grow hay on an adjacent parcel.

Natalie Zain, zoning planner, told the committee the application was complete, all public notices were sent, and the Zoning Board of Appeals unanimously recommended approval on March 11. The petition does not propose new construction; the existing set of structures and uses will continue. County water-resources staff noted a previously permitted stormwater-detention basin (2003) for which record drawings and a recorded drainage easement were not filed; staff recommended two stipulations: submit the as-built record drawings and record the drainage easement. The site contains some zone-A floodplain and wetlands; any future improvements would require a base-flood-elevation determination and wetland delineation.

The Kane County Health Department indicated it will review existing well and septic systems as part of the establishment-of-use process if the petition is approved. An ECOCAT (natural resources screening) found no record of state-listed threatened or endangered species on-site. The committee approved the petition on a motion by Rick Paul, seconded by Leonard; roll call was unanimous in favor.