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McHenry County ZBA recommends rezoning of 39.9-acre Huntley property to allow five‑acre estate lots
Summary
The McHenry County Zoning Board of Appeals voted 6‑0 to recommend that the County Board reclassify roughly 39.9 acres at 15218 Harmony Road (Z25‑0085) from A‑1 (agriculture) to E‑1 (estate), saying the change conforms with adjacent five‑acre lots and the county’s future‑land‑use plan. Neighbors asked about pipeline easements and school/tax impacts;
The Zoning Board of Appeals of McHenry County voted unanimously to recommend approval of a petition to reclassify roughly 39.9 acres at 15218 Harmony Road in Huntley from A‑1 (agriculture) to E‑1 (estate).
Tyler Wilkie, attorney for the petitioner, told the board the request (Z25‑0085) is intended to bring the parcel into conformity with surrounding five‑acre lots and the county’s 2030 comprehensive plan. Trustee and owner Steven Finzel testified the property has been in the family since about 1949–50 and is currently used for farming and some residential structures; the petitioner proposes dividing the parcel into roughly five‑acre estate lots with access from Seaman Road.
Staff planner Melody Jacobson reported no objections after reviewing the application; she said surrounding parcels include both A‑1 and E‑3 zoning, and the future‑land‑use map identifies the area for developing estate residences. The record showed required notices, publication and affidavits were filed and that the McHenry County Soil and Water Conservation District provided an NRI report cited in the packet.
Neighbors raised questions about the number and size of proposed lots, potential impacts on school enrollments and taxes, and the location of existing and planned natural‑gas pipeline easements. Robert Osmolak, an adjacent property owner, asked why E‑1 five‑acre lots were chosen instead of larger E‑3 lots; Wilkie said the parcel design was chosen to conform with existing lots along Seaman Road rather than for purely financial reasons. When asked about building setbacks from the gas easement, the petitioner deferred to permitting staff and said technical setbacks will be determined during permitting.
Board members discussed pipeline easements and noted that interstate pipeline siting and safety setbacks are regulated at the federal level (FERC) rather than by the county. Several members said the petition met the ordinance standards for a map amendment, accepted the petitioner’s written narrative as their findings, and emphasized that historical subdivisions in the area include many five‑acre parcels.
A motion to recommend approval was made and seconded; the roll call produced six affirmative votes and no negatives. The board chair announced the petition will be forwarded to the McHenry County Board for final consideration on the County Board’s December meeting as stated during the hearing.
The ZBA record shows letters of support from the supervisor of Coral Township and the Coral Township highway commissioner were included in the packet, and the petitioner confirmed curb cuts and road maintenance questions were discussed with the township highway commissioner.
The County Board will receive the ZBA’s recommendation; final action will be scheduled at that body’s December agenda.
