The Cook County Planning Commission approved a four-year interim use permit on June 24, 2025, allowing a 30-foot travel trailer to be used seasonally as a temporary residence on a 4.99-acre parcel in the Lutzen Town Center Residential Incentive District (LR2).

Staff said the parcel is zoned LR2 (a township-created district intended to support higher-density residential use near services) and that temporary recreational vehicles are a listed conditional use in the LR2 district. The application was filed after the fact; staff reported the property is non-shoreland and that county environmental health staff provided a memo confirming septic and wetland concerns were addressed and that the RV should not create wetland impacts.

Applicant Randy Hansen described investments already made on the parcel — a driveway, site pad, riprap around the pad, electricity run to the site, a septic contractor scheduled to install a system once approvals are in place, a planned well location, and 400 seedlings planted and fenced. Hansen told the commission, “We have every intention to build a second home,” and said high construction costs have delayed immediate building.

Two nearby property owners, James Cohen and Daniel Giliphone, spoke in support during public comment. Staff recommended a standard set of conditions: a four-year term expiring on 06/24/2029; compliance with the Cook County Recreational Vehicle Permit and the Cook County Septic Ordinance; adherence to the requirements in the technical memo from Mitchell Everson (Cook County Environmental Health Officer); and that the IUP not transfer with the property. The commission approved the permit by voice vote and noted final approval is required from the Board of Commissioners.

The commission's record notes the recommendation was made on the basis that the temporary RV occupancy would allow the owners time to construct the permitted second home and that the character of the area — mostly undeveloped lots with some residential uses — supported the limited interim use. The IUP includes standard requirements for permits and septic compliance and will be monitored by county staff.