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Swansea board approves special-use permit allowing RVs on three mobile-home-park lots
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Summary
The Swansea Village Board approved a special-use permit on April 14 to allow recreational vehicles on lots 1, 3 and 5 Side Drive after staff found spacing and setback conditions met and applicants described inspections, occupancy rules and measures for flood-prone lots.
The Swansea Village Board voted April 14 to approve a special-use permit allowing recreational vehicles on three mobile-home-park lots at 1, 3 and 5 Side Drive.
Staff recommended approval after reviewing Village Code Section 151.016 and confirming spacing and setback conditions, and the board approved the permit following applicant presentations and a period of questions. The motion passed by voice roll-call with all members present voting yes.
Staff explained that the code specifies certain parameters for converting mobile-home lots to RV use — including minimum distances between units and to property lines and unattached structures — and said those conditions would be met at the three lots. “Because these conditions are clearly met, staff does recommend approval of these permits,” the staff member told the board.
Applicants responded that the park is regularly inspected and that the proposed RVs would be subject to village occupancy and state registration requirements. “We were a 100% in compliance with state statute,” an applicant said, and the applicants said the Illinois Department of Public Health inspects the park annually. They described screening procedures — credit and reference checks and village occupancy permits — and said some RVs on the property have been in place for years.
Board members asked detailed questions about utilities, waste disposal and flood risk. The applicants said electrical meter bases would be changed to accommodate 30- or 50-amp RV connections, sewer hookups would use hose drops where appropriate, and tenants would be provided storage so they could travel without leaving belongings in yards. One applicant said the move toward RV placements is in part a response to recurring high-water events near Wolf Branch Creek and argued that moveable RV units can be safer in flood-prone spots than stationary homes.
Staff also reported contacting police and fire departments; staff said neither department reported objections to the proposal. After discussion, a board member moved to approve the application “to allow RVs on mobile at 1, 3 and 5 Side Drive.” Another member seconded the motion; roll-call votes were recorded as yes from Kish, Kadell, Anderson, Reese and the presiding official, and the presiding official announced, “Motion carried.”
The board continued post-vote discussion about local drainage and culvert upkeep, with members and applicants noting that state maintenance of culverts has decreased over time and that some responsibility has shifted to local property owners. Staff asked attendees to plan for the next meeting on the 12th to carry forward any additional items.
The approval is limited to the special-use permit as discussed; the record as presented did not spell out additional conditions beyond the spacing, setback and inspection/occupancy practices discussed at the hearing.
