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Lake Bluff board approves zoning text amendment and variance for larger detached garage at 206 E. Prospect Ave.
Summary
The Village Board unanimously approved a zoning text amendment to reduce detached-garage setbacks on small lots and granted a variance to allow a larger detached garage at 206 East Prospect Avenue, following unanimous favorable recommendations from the PCZBA.
The Lake Bluff Village Board of Trustees on July 20 approved two related zoning measures that will allow property owner Graham Halen to demolish an existing detached garage and construct a larger replacement at 206 East Prospect Avenue.
Staff presented a zoning text amendment and a minor variation request that originated with an informal review by the Plan Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals (PCZBA) on May 21 and were formally presented and unanimously recommended by that body on July 16. The zoning text amendment revises accessory-building rules to allow an accessory building or structure on a residential lot of 6,250 square feet or less and with a width of 50 feet or less to extend to within 2.5 feet of a rear or side property line. The variance request seeks permission for a detached garage with a floor area of 2,889 square feet, which staff said is roughly 16.5% above the current code allowance of 2,480 square feet.
Staff said the applicant intends to remove the existing detached garage and construct a larger structure. The PCZBA and staff materials note the applicant obtained neighborhood support; trustees on the board referenced neighbor sign-offs during their discussion.
Trustees moved to approve first reading and then unanimously voted to suspend the rules and waive second reading at the same meeting; the motions carried by roll call. The clerk recorded unanimous ayes in support of both the text amendment (first reading and suspension) and the floor-area-ratio variation.
Board members remarked that the PCZBA had conducted a thorough review and that neighborhood engagement was evident in the application materials. Staff noted the applicant is still preparing permit drawings and must submit them for staff review; staff also flagged scheduling considerations because the village may not meet at its first August date, making a concurrent waiver of second reading potentially practical to avoid added delay.
Because the variance approval and text amendment affect how accessory structures are measured and permitted on small lots, staff will incorporate the approved language into village zoning regulations and follow up with permit review and inspections once construction drawings are filed.
