Fox River Grove trustees back recommendation to draft ordinance for zoning variances at 206 N. River Road

The Fox River Grove Village Board voted to direct staff to draft an ordinance approving zoning variances sought for 206 N. River Road, including permission to place an air‑conditioning condenser in an interior side yard and to remove several conditions added under Ordinance 2025‑15.

Assistant Administrator Bechler told trustees that the Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval of the A/C condenser variance by a 7–0 vote, recommended changing the timing for removal of a previously non‑compliant garage bump‑out (5–2), and recommended removing restrictions on garage height and limits to encroachment in the northeast side yard (6–1). At the board meeting petitioner James Allen said the A/C unit would move “approximately 5 feet” from its current location and that the final placement would be adjacent to his neighbor’s driveway. He said the bump‑out previously identified for removal would be taken out as part of the overall demolition and construction project rather than before permit issuance to streamline the work and reduce cost.

Allen said the higher roof pitch is requested to improve the appearance from the front and to accommodate a standard garage door. He said his lot’s layout and the existing placement of the house make adding a two‑car footprint difficult without encroaching into the northeast side yard setback; he noted the home will be raised about 2 feet to allow installation of required flood gates. Allen also said trusses are already in place that would provide storage space above the garage labeled in the plans as an “attic.”

Trustee Steve Knar said the petitioner had followed previous advice to consult an architect and that the new, attached design made the prior conditions less applicable. Trustees Devin Hester and David Joseph said they were comfortable supporting the Planning & Zoning Commission recommendations as presented. Trustee Andrew Migdal said he did not see a hardship sufficient to justify an additional 16 feet of encroachment into the side yard beyond the existing single‑car garage footprint.

Trustee Knar moved and Trustee Hester seconded a motion asking staff to draft the ordinance; roll call recorded Knar, Hester, Joseph and Migdal voting yes, and the motion passed. The board did not take final action on the ordinance at the meeting; staff will prepare draft language for a future meeting.

The public record at the meeting included several residents who spoke in favor of the petition — Zia Mir, Ryne Bandolik, and Dave Kopeny — and one resident, John Martin, who asked that any new garage be built to all village codes and said the area labeled as attic appeared to be a way of adding living space. Those public comments were part of the packet of remarks heard before the board’s discussion.

Next steps: staff will prepare ordinance language reflecting the board’s direction and return it for formal consideration at a subsequent meeting.