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Commissioners approve reduced side setbacks for Becker Lane business park to site fire‑suppression tanks
Summary
The court granted a variance to reduce interior side setbacks from 25 to 10 feet for the proposed Becker Lane Business Park, enabling placement of rainwater storage and emergency well infrastructure for fire suppression.
Kendall County Commissioners voted to grant a variance from the county Development Rules to allow 10‑foot interior side setbacks (in place of the standard 25 feet) at the proposed Becker Lane Business Park.
County staff and the project engineer said the reduced interior setback was requested so developers could place rainwater storage tanks and an emergency well house adjacent to building gutters for efficient gravity‑fed rainwater capture and to create a centralized fire‑suppression location accessible to emergency responders. Assistant County Engineer Nicholas Mercado and project representatives described planned deed restrictions limiting non‑fire use of the well and establishing when the well could be used.
Commissioner Chad Carpenter moved to approve the relief from Section 1.2e, Table 5.2a.1 of the Kendall County Development Rules and Groundwater Availability Reporting Standards to permit 10‑foot side setbacks for the proposed subdivision; Commissioner Kirby Chapman seconded. The motion carried 5–0.
Key technical details discussed: developers said typical minimum tank sizes would be about 22,000–24,000 gallons, with the option to use larger 40,000‑gallon tanks if needed; buildings were limited by the proposed covenants to about 10,000 square feet; design assumptions in the previously granted groundwater availability relief assumed roughly four employees per 10,000‑square‑foot building for water‑use calculations. County staff and the assistant fire marshal indicated the plan would provide a single, easily located fire‑suppression point for responders.
Why it matters: The variance supports an approach the county is encouraging — rainwater harvesting to reduce groundwater demand — while building infrastructure intended specifically for emergency fire suppression. Commissioners asked that deed restrictions and covenants explicitly define "emergency" and consider penalties or enforcement mechanisms if groundwater rules were exceeded; staff said they would explore additional language and possible coordination with the local water provider (Cow Creek).
Ending: Commissioners approved the setback relief and directed staff to address covenant language and enforcement items as the project proceeds through final construction plan review.
