Zoning board denies large attached carport at 2815 Ruth Fitzgerald Drive

The Joliet Zoning Board of Appeals voted against a series of requested variations to permit a large attached carport at 2815 Ruth Fitzgerald Drive, concluding the design did not demonstrate the unique circumstances or practical hardship required for a variance. Staff said the 638‑square‑foot carport as designed would be out of scale with most homes in the Mayfair neighborhood and that existing R‑2 zoning already allows reasonable use of the property without the requested variances.

Staff told the board the lot is about 8,400 square feet and the owner has partially constructed a 39.9‑by‑16‑foot carport with a wooden frame and concrete footings; the carport’s north wall sits 1.9 feet from the side lot line while the attached roof structure standard requires an 8‑foot side yard, and staff suggested the applicant could move the wall to create a 3‑foot setback if practicable. The addition would reduce the open side‑yard distance from 27.5 feet to 11.5 feet.

Applicant Maria Guadalupe Lopez (listed in the record as Maria G. Lopez de Torres) said the carport is needed for shade and vehicle storage; staff noted the property already contains a two‑car garage and large driveway. The motion to approve failed in board vote (two yes, two no), and the chair announced the motion failed; the transcript records Miss Radakovich and Chairman Hennessy voting no, with Mister Stiff and Mister Nachtreebe voting yes, producing a failed motion. No conditions were recommended by staff.