Basement Development Committee: votes at a glance — Oct. 7, 2025

The Basement Development Committee of DuPage County took several routine and land-use actions on Oct. 7. Most motions passed by voice vote; one zoning variance was denied following a roll-call vote.

Key outcomes

- Minutes of the Sept. 16 meeting: Approved by voice vote.

- Contract for building and plumbing plan review and inspections (DCP 2 d h 25): Committee approved a professional services contract to provide building and plumbing plan review and inspections for Dec. 1, 2025 through Nov. 30, 2026. Motion and second recorded; passed by voice vote (tally not specified in transcript).

- Zoning variance for reduced rear and side yard setbacks to allow a new chicken coop: The zoning hearing officer had denied the requested variations. Committee members were instructed that to concur with the zoning hearing officer would be a “no” vote. The roll-call vote recorded: Member Kojewski — Aye; Vice Chair Yu — No; Member Martinez — No; Member Covert — No; Member Ozak — No; Chair Tornatore — No. The motion failed (yes 1, no 5), denying the requested zoning relief.

- Class B restaurant in a B-1 district (DCO 45-21): Committee approved a conditional use to allow a Class B restaurant (breakfast service including alcoholic brunch beverages) in a local B-1 district; motion carried by voice vote.

- Flagpole height increase (DCO 46-25): River Forest Country Club requested a variance to raise a flagpole from 24 feet to 60 feet so the flag can be seen across the golf course. The committee approved the variance by voice vote.

- West Suburban Athletic Department conditional-use amendment (DCO 47-2575): Committee approved an amendment to add parking for weekend events and tournaments; staff said the change will reduce right-of-way parking and conform to earlier approvals and dark-sky conditions. Motion carried by voice vote.

- Zoning text amendments related to short-term rentals (DCO 48-25 T-5-25): Committee approved the text amendment to create licensing and regulation for short-term rentals; fee levels and license expiration dates will be set later and the ordinance will be forwarded to the County Board.

Details on the chicken-coop variance

Committee members and planning staff said the shed and chicken coop on the subject property appear to be existing structures, apparently built without a permit. Planning staff and committee members noted the zoning hearing officer found no hardship or practical difficulty presented by the petitioner; the committee’s roll-call vote upheld the officer''s denial.

Next steps

The short-term rental text amendment will be forwarded to the DuPage County Board for final action. Other approvals (contract award, conditional-use amendments) move forward under normal administrative processes. The committee did not set immediate implementation conditions for several approvals; staff follow-up is expected on enforcement and technical details.