The Geneva Planning and Zoning Commission voted Oct. 23 to approve a variance allowing homeowners at 601 North First Street to formalize and extend a front porch that encroaches into the required street-yard setback.

The request, filed Sept. 26 by Matthew and Mary O'Sullivan, would reduce the street-yard setback from 30.72 feet (the average of neighboring lots) to 22.31 feet. The commission's approval was made subject to the findings of fact in the staff report and will be heard by the Geneva City Council at 7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 3.

City staff told the commission the application included a project narrative addressing variance standards, a plan of survey, neighbors setback exhibit, proposed site plan, architectural drawings, and the required public-notice materials. Assistant Planner Jesse Markowski summarized that the variance would "memorialize[] the encroachment into the setback that's already there by the concrete porch" and that the application meets the four standards evaluated by staff: reasonable return, unique hardship/practical difficulty, compatibility with the character of the area, and minimum variation.

Applicant Matthew O'Sullivan told the commission the work aims to improve the appearance and function of the house. "We've been doing a lot of work on this house which is, frankly, an eyesore currently," O'Sullivan said. He said the existing entry is very narrow — currently about three feet plus a step — and the proposed change would extend the porch slightly over to the step (to a bit over four feet) and add a portico to improve aesthetics and use.

Commissioner John Mead, who said he had driven the site, described visible renovation work and expressed support: "I find myself supportive of the request." No members of the public rose to testify during the public hearing.

After deliberation, a motion to approve the variance was moved and seconded; Commissioner Evans seconded the motion. The roll-call vote recorded ayes from Evans, Madascale, Mead, Slifka and Chairman Scott Stocking. The commission recorded the outcome as approved. Staff and the applicants were informed that the next procedural step is consideration by the Geneva City Council on Nov. 3; staff said it would send confirmation to the applicants prior to that meeting.

The meeting also included routine business: approval of the Oct. 9 minutes and the evening's agenda, a brief staff update that a prior porch variation had been approved by council, and scheduling notes. The commission announced there will be no meeting in November and the next meeting is scheduled for Dec. 11. Staff also mentioned several pending development items: a proposed daycare south of Belenoir (status not confirmed), townhomes on Peck Road that recently received final engineering approval, and ongoing construction at Fisher Farms townhomes.

Votes at a glance: the commission approved the variance for 601 North First Street reducing the required street-yard setback from 30.72 feet to 22.31 feet. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Evans and passed by recorded roll-call vote.

The decision advances to city council review; no further conditions beyond the staff report findings were recorded at the P&Z meeting.