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Plan commission backs fence-height, setback and type variances for Waterford Drive property; council review set
Summary
The commission voted Oct. 9 to recommend that the city council conditionally approve a homeowner request to maintain a 6-foot solid fence on a corner lot at 2400 Waterford Drive, reducing the corner setback to zero for an 88-foot segment; staff recommended approval citing privacy, safety and neighborhood consistency.
The Crest Hill Plan Commission voted Oct. 9 to recommend that the city council conditionally approve zoning variations requested by Ruben and Clara Miranda to allow a 6-foot solid fence on the corner side yard of the property at 2400 Waterford Drive, reduce the required 5-foot corner-side-yard setback to 0 feet for an 88-foot length, and change the fence type from an open design to solid.
City planner Atifa Ghaznavi summarized staff findings, noting the existing fence is a deteriorated 6-foot solid wooden fence more than 30 years old and that 88 linear feet of the proposed replacement on the corner side yard requires a variation from section 8.3-8 of the Crest Hill zoning ordinance. "The staff is of the opinion that the variation request is reasonable and acceptable given the unique orientation of the subject property and the homeowner's safety and health concerns associated with adjacent Gaylord Road," Atifa said.
Diana Miranda, speaking for her father Ruben Miranda, told the commission the fence was originally installed more than 30 years ago and listed reasons for the requested relief, including noise reduction, security, privacy and consistency with neighboring properties. "A 6 foot fence is appropriate and necessary for noise reduction as Gaylord Road is very busy and it's a noisy street," she said.
A nearby resident, Manuel, spoke in support and said the fence would align with surrounding properties and is a positive for the neighborhood. Planner Atifa confirmed staff will add a project agreement note informing the owner that the fence lies over a public utility and drainage easement and that utility or city work in the easement could require removal of the fence without replacement.
The commission moved, seconded and carried a motion to forward a conditional approval recommendation to the city council; the chair said the council will hear the case on Monday, Oct. 27, 2025. The motion was recorded as moved by Commissioner Carroll and seconded by Commissioner Slabazewski.
