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Oswego plan commission recommends variance to allow 4-foot chain-link fence at 429 Main Street
Summary
The Oswego Plan Commission voted to recommend approval of a variance to extend an existing chain-link fence along the sides and rear of the property at 429 Main Street, after a brief public hearing in which the homeowner said the fence is needed for dogs and visiting family.
The Oswego Plan Commission on an unspecified date voted to recommend approval of a variance for 429 Main Street that would allow the property owner to enclose a backyard with a 4-foot-tall chain-link fence, despite a Unified Development Ordinance provision that now generally prohibits chain-link fencing in residential districts.
Staff told the commission the subject property is about 1.15 acres, zoned R1, and backs up to the Illinois Railway and the Fox River. Staff said a prior owner installed a code-compliant chain-link fence on the sides of the backyard in 2018 and that the petitioner seeks to extend that fence along the back of the lot. "Steph recommends approval," planning staff said during the hearing.
Homeowner Christie (last name not specified) spoke at the public hearing after being sworn. She said the existing fence "already goes down a healthy distance of both sides of the yard and attaches to the house" and that the family wants to "be able to enclose the backyard" because they have "two dogs and a lot of family that visit." She said the extension would match existing fence material and would keep the backyard visible.
Commissioners asked only clarifying questions, including whether the existing fence enclosed the rear now (it did not) and whether the existing chain-link was intended to deter neighborhood dogs. After public comment closed, a motion to accept the findings of fact and recommend approval of a variance from section 9.03 (Accessory Uses and Structures) of the Unified Development Ordinance was moved, seconded and approved by roll call. The motion carried.
The commission did not attach additional conditions on the record beyond staff recommendations. The matter will proceed to the next step described by village procedures for final action; the commission's vote was a recommendation to the Village Board rather than a final permit.
Votes at a glance: The commission recorded the motion as carried on roll call; a majority voted in favor (yes votes recorded during roll call). The record shows the commission moved and seconded the recommendation and the chair announced "Motion carries. Congratulations, enjoy your fence."
