Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Accessory Structures topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission approves variance to allow larger accessory building for indoor RV storage
Summary
Despite staff recommending denial, the Will County commission approved ZC‑25‑136 (V‑25‑376) to increase maximum accessory building area from 3,000 sq ft to 3,987 sq ft so a property owner can build larger garages to store an RV indoors.
Will County commissioners voted Feb. 3 to approve a variance increasing maximum accessory building area from 3,000 square feet to 3,987 square feet for ZC‑25‑136 (V‑25‑376), allowing the owners to construct two attached garages intended in part to store a motor home indoors.
Alex Van Patten, the staff presenter, described the A‑2 zoned parcel (about 4.99 acres, 260.28 feet of frontage) and recommended denial because staff judged the owner's desire to build larger accessory structures a personal preference rather than a physical hardship. "It is staff's professional opinion that the granting of other variances will not be detrimental to the public welfare," Van Patten said while explaining review responsibilities for roads, fire protection, and health departments, but he concluded that the criteria for practical difficulty were not met.
Owner Rhiannon Holcomb addressed the commission and asked for approval to store the motor home indoors for protection from mice and Illinois weather and because she considered outdoor parking unsightly. "Our property is a little bit higher up, so I believe if we parked it outside, you would be still driving by," Holcomb said, requesting consideration for the variance.
A commissioner moved to approve the variance to increase accessory building area to 3,987 square feet; the motion was seconded and passed by roll call. The decision reverses staff's recommendation of denial and allows the owner to pursue the larger garage buildings, subject to county building‑permit review and approvals by applicable road, fire, and health districts.
The commission’s approval is limited to the zoning variance; any construction must meet code requirements and obtain the required permits and inspections.
