Lake Bluff panel recommends village board approve front-yard shed at 400 McLaren Lane with landscaping, anchoring conditions

The Village of Lake Bluff Joint Plan Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals on Oct. 15 recommended that the Village Board grant a variance to allow an accessory structure in the required front-yard setback at 400 McLaren Lane, subject to additional landscaping and anchoring/footing specifications.

The recommendation, passed by unanimous roll call, followed a presentation by the property owner, Christopher Bennett, and discussion among commissioners about sight lines, permanence of the structure and erosion/installation safeguards. The commission’s action is advisory; the Village Board will make the final determination at a subsequent meeting.

Bennett, the property owner and petitioner, told the commission the structure would be a wood frame shed set on stone rather than a poured concrete foundation. “I don’t really know what I’m doing,” Bennett said, describing the application and the site placement he marked for the panel to view. He said the installer (the petitioner referenced “Tough Shed”) will provide four anchors when the unit is installed.

Commission members reviewed the request under the village zoning code and the draft ordinance prepared for the Board’s consideration. The item requests relief from Section 10‑5‑9, “Accessory buildings and structures,” of the Village of Lake Bluff zoning regulations to allow the accessory structure to sit inside the required front-yard setback. Staff noted that, if approved, the installation must meet minimum setback measurements of at least 10 feet from the appropriate lot line and 15 feet from the rear lot line when final plans are submitted to the building department.

Member Danley urged adding conditions to ensure the shed is not simply placed on gravel, and to require landscaping that will screen the structure from neighboring properties. “Can we just make sure this is, you know, sufficiently anchored and perhaps we can get some more landscaping?” Danley asked during discussion. Danley moved to recommend approval with additional landscaping and appropriate footings; the motion was seconded and passed by roll call with all members voting aye (Danley; Fisher; Miller; Russell; Towle; Chair Peters).

The commission’s recommendation, including the landscaping and footing/anchoring condition, will be forwarded to the Village Board for final action (staff said the item is expected to appear on the board agenda following the PCZBA’s transmittal, with the next step discussed as late October/mid‑November).