ZBA recommends county board approve variance so Compton Fire Protection District can build new station

The Lee County Zoning Board of Appeals voted to recommend that the full county board approve a variance requested by the Compton Community Fire Protection District that would allow the district to locate a new fire station essentially on the northern boundary of its south parcel, citing an irregular lot shape and practical hardship that would prevent the project under strict setback rules.

Colin Barry, attorney for the Compton Community Fire Protection District, presented the petition (25-P-1645) and materials showing the district owns two adjacent parcels (together about 2.56 acres) but cannot legally combine them because they lie in different taxing districts. Barry said the district had tried to combine the parcels but ‘‘unfortunately, they lie in 2 separate taxing districts’’ and that the northern strip had been purchased to serve as the needed setback area.

Board members debated the standard findings of fact required for a variance. A county staff member explained to the board that parcels adjacent but in different taxing districts cannot be combined for taxing purposes, which leaves the district’s only remaining option to seek a variance. The board recorded motions and votes on the required findings — including effect on neighborhood character, traffic, public utilities, public health and safety, surrounding properties, environmental concerns, practical difficulty, and whether the variance would be merely a convenience — and the motions all carried by voice votes recorded as ‘‘Aye.’’

Testimony from a district board member described the existing Compton station, built in 1955 and later extended, as too small for current apparatus. He said the new station would have access to Route 251 and be closer to a water hydrant, while the district expects to install a septic system and to coordinate required state and county permits, including Illinois Department of Transportation access approvals for a Route 251 driveway.

During findings the board noted inconsistent setback references in the record: county staff and the petitioner referred to a 50-foot setback requirement, while another statement in the hearing form referenced a 15-foot setback standard. The board found that requiring full compliance with the stated setback(s) would impose practical difficulties and that the lot’s irregular shape constituted a hardship that justified granting a variance.

The board also agreed to a condition specifying how close the new building may be placed relative to property lines and public right-of-way: the board accepted the petitioner’s plan to permit the building to be placed on the lot line between the two parcels (so the building would abut the north boundary of the south parcel) while still leaving approximately 50 to 66 feet from the roadway right-of-way, as reflected in the submitted plan. The board then moved and seconded a recommendation that the county board approve the petition with that condition; the motion passed by voice vote.

The Zoning Board of Appeals transmitted its recommendation to the Lee County Board; the petitioner was told the matter will appear before the county board on May 22 at 6:00 p.m. County staff noted additional requirements remain, including building permits, septic approval, and any needed IDOT or road-commissioner permits for the Route 251 access.

No final county-board decision was made by the ZBA; the May 1 action is a recommendation and a condition-setting step that will be considered by the full county board.