Homer Glen trustees deny variance to allow stucco siding after neighbor objections

The Village Board of Homer Glen voted to deny an ordinance that would have granted a property owner a variance to permit stucco siding on the first floor at 12357 West Mackinac Road.

Neighbors told the board the owner removed the required brick façade without permits and continued work after a stop-work order. "You're only approving this variance and rewarding bad behavior," resident Tyler Tomazak said, urging trustees to uphold the village's construction standards. Earlier, former mayor Russ Petrizzo and other residents said the required brick façade is a long-standing neighborhood standard and argued the change would harm curb appeal and property values.

Trustees debating the measure repeatedly referenced the village ordinance prohibiting first-floor stucco and the subdivision's homeowners association rules. "This is asking for a variance on a village ordinance, and I'm opposed to that," Trustee Steilen said. Trustee Mason added that the ordinance clearly disallows stucco and thanked residents for attending. Trustee Fialco suggested working with the HOA and the homeowner to seek a mutually acceptable path rather than immediately granting a variance.

After discussion the board took a roll-call vote; a majority voted no and the proposed ordinance did not pass. The board noted the homeowner's apparent failure to secure permits and the potential precedent of approving unpermitted changes as central reasons for denial. The village recorded the outcome as a denial of the variance request; no amendment or alternate approval was adopted at the meeting.

What happens next: the denial closes this specific variance request. Trustees suggested the homeowner and HOA could pursue an agreement or submit a different application if they wish to proceed within village and HOA rules.