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Hampshire Village Board approves temporary gravel parking lot for Outlot 23 with four-year sunset
Summary
After extended debate about safety and ADA accessibility, the Hampshire Village Board approved a variance allowing a temporary gravel parking lot at Outlot 23 for use by the Hampshire Township Park District, adding a four-year sunset and village monitoring. The decision followed concerns about ADA compliance and a lack of a park master plan.
The Hampshire Village Board on Sept. 25 approved a variance allowing Crown Development’s gravel parking lot at Outlot 23 on Kelly Road to remain in place temporarily, adding a four‑year sunset clause and village monitoring.
The motion came after residents and trustees raised safety and accessibility concerns. “I don’t understand and can’t wrap my head around why we’re having a variance for a gravel parking lot,” said a resident who lives on Pelly Road during public comment, pointing to the lack of a master plan and the potential for spillover parking on narrow Kelly Road.
Why it matters: Trustees said the site is planned for practice fields that the Hampshire Township Park District would operate after deed transfer, but the district does not yet own the parcel or have a completed master plan. Planning and Zoning recommended denial (4–1), citing ADA compliance questions, lot size and the absence of a long-term plan; village staff recommended approval as a temporary measure to help meet immediate recreational needs.
Board discussion focused on two technical and policy issues: whether a firm gravel surface could meet ADA requirements for a recreational parking area, and how many accessible parking spaces are required. Village staff told trustees they researched accessibility guidance and said certain gravel installations can meet ADA criteria if they provide a firm, stable and slip‑resistant surface; some residents and other attendees cited state-level accessibility guidance that they said requires a solid surface for recreational-access parking.
Trustees also pressed for concrete mitigations. The developer agreed to reserve and finish a small number of accessible stalls and to work with the park district on future paving or relocation tied to a master plan. The board debated a proposed sunset clause — a time limit after which the temporary lot must either be paved or removed — and accepted an amendment to add a four‑year sunset with village monitoring and the ability to act if the lot becomes a neighborhood problem.
The board approved the variance on a roll-call vote; the motion carried and the sunset condition will be included in the ordinance. Village staff said Crown will ultimately deed the parcel to the Hampshire Township Park District and that the developer has committed a minimum contribution of $65,000 in park improvements as part of the annexation agreement.
The board directed staff to document the agreed ADA-accessible stalls and to monitor parking and neighborhood impacts as the lot is used for practice-field activities.
