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Machesney Park commission backs moving ordinance allowing administrative variances for building materials
Summary
The Planning and Zoning Commission voted to forward Ordinance 0125, a text amendment that would let staff grant administrative variances when commercial or industrial buildings fall slightly short of exterior material standards; the change would allow up to 30% deviation where the current code limit is about 5%.
The Machesney Park Planning and Zoning Commission voted Jan. 27 to forward Ordinance 0125, a text amendment that would let village staff grant administrative variances when new commercial or industrial buildings fall slightly short of the village’s exterior building-material design standards.
Commissioners said the amendment, recommended by a village administrator, is intended to avoid forcing minor redesigns for projects that otherwise meet the village’s design goals. Under the changes discussed, staff could permit deviations “up to 30%” of exterior materials in cases where the current code’s limit is about 5%, according to commissioners’ remarks during the meeting.
The change is aimed at properties that come close to meeting the material mix required by code — such as brick, stone, glass or wood — but fall just short of the numerical threshold. Commissioners said the administrative path would allow projects that are “nice” and largely consistent with the intent of the standards to proceed without returning to the drawing board or seeking a more formal variance process.
Commissioner Danny Levitz and other commissioners expressed some concern about creating what one called “an exception to the exception,” urging caution so the administrative allowance is not used to systematically weaken the standard. Commissioners discussed whether the underlying standard itself might need revision if the 5% threshold commonly prevents reasonable designs.
There was no applicant presenting at the meeting; the language and examples discussed were framed as hypothetical or based on staff experience. The commission voted by roll call to forward the ordinance with a positive recommendation to the next step in the village review process.
Votes at a glance: Roll call on the motion to move Ordinance 0125 forward recorded yes votes from Commissioner Plueger, Commissioner Klinger, Commissioner Holmes and Commissioner Danny Levitz. Commissioner Hankins was recorded as not present during the earlier roll call. No mover or seconder was identified on the record.
The commission did not adopt the ordinance at the meeting; the item will be considered further by the village’s next review body as part of the ordinance process.
