A zoning hearing officer closed a virtual public hearing on a request to reduce an interior side setback for a new detached garage at 5512 Essex Road in Lyle Township, and said the officer is "somewhat sympathetic" and that "it's likely that I'll recommend the case be approved." The request would reduce the required 9-foot interior side setback to about 1.2 feet to replace an existing detached garage on the existing concrete slab.

The variance application, filed as case Z-25-O-37 and published in the Daily Arrow on June 17, 2025, concerns a property of roughly 0.7 acre served by a private well and septic system. Zoning hearing officer (name not provided) said building-department comments on fire-rating and interior wall requirements are part of the record and "a matter for the building department to resolve at the time of application." The officer said the recommendation will be announced at 3:00 p.m. on July 16 and that the county development committee will consider the recommendation before it moves to the full county board.

Property owner Miroslava Kesic, who identified her address as 5512 Essex Road, told the hearing she has lived at the house for "a little bit over 20 years" and lives there with her son. Kesic said the existing detached garage was damaged by fire, she wants to replace it to store two cars and household items, and described personal limitations: "I am almost 70, and everything is too hard." Patrick McLaughlin, who said he has known Kesic for about 30 years and who assisted at the hearing, described himself as helping with the case and said contractor paperwork and insurance were in order.

The hearing record shows the proposed structure would replace a prior garage that has stood for more than 20 years on the same slab. The zoning hearing officer reminded Kesic that, if the variance is granted, the garage may not be used to operate a business or to store substantial business materials. Kesic and her assistant said the owner does not intend to operate a business from the garage.

No formal vote or committee decision occurred at the hearing; the officer closed the hearing after taking testimony and exhibits. The officer noted that, if granted, the variance is permanent and would "last forever if it's granted," but also said the officer was "somewhat sympathetic to your circumstances." The next formal step is the county development committee's consideration of the officer's recommendation on July 16, followed by any action the full county board may take.

Building-department concerns recorded in the hearing relate to fire-rating and interior wall construction; the officer said those issues will be resolved through the building permit process if the zoning relief proceeds. The village of Lyle submitted comments that are part of the record, and one exhibit in the record is a current plat of survey that will serve as the site plan.

The zoning hearing officer closed the hearing and adjourned the meeting without taking final action.