DuPage County hears request to replace gravel driveway with paved surface in Lombard; village objects

Zoning Hearing Officer Bob Kartel opened a public hearing on a petition (listed in the record as the Ponce case, agenda item 25003) seeking a variance to allow a paved driveway in place of an existing gravel surface at a property in Lombard.

The DuPage County Building Department and the Village of Lombard submitted objections to the petition, and Kartel admitted as exhibits a 2024 survey prepared for the property and photographs provided by the applicant. The hearing record also includes two metal storage containers on the site, which the applicant said he plans to remove and replace with a garage in the future.

The applicant, Hernando Seruis, who identified his address as 21 W. 148 Sunset Avenue in Lombard, told the hearing he purchased the house in 2021 and did not realize some work required permits. He said he constructed the gravel driveway to keep the yard from getting muddy and to store an RV and recreational vehicles. "I thought it was okay to do it," Seruis said of the gravel surface. He said inspectors later cited violations and that he was seeking relief while he pursues the proper permits and long‑term improvements.

Kartel took photographic exhibits and a recent survey into the record and said he would take the matter under advisement. "I'll give my decision on March 5 at 03:00 at the recommendation meeting," Kartel said, adding that his recommendation will go to the DuPage County Development Committee and then to the full DuPage County Board for final administrative action by the end of March. Kartel left the record open for the applicant to submit additional documents by email as exhibit 3.

No final vote or administrative decision was made at the hearing. The record shows the building department and the Village of Lombard objected; the hearing officer will issue a recommendation March 5 that the county development committee and county board will review.