Planning commission forwards variance for pool at 6677 Kargo despite compensatory‑storage requirement

The Village of Machesney Park Planning & Zoning Commission voted March 23 to forward a positive recommendation for Ordinance 09‑26, a variance from the village’s floodplain compensatory‑storage requirement for property known as 6677 Kargo in the River Key subdivision.

Staff explained the village rule requires removing 1.5 cubic yards of floodplain material for every cubic yard of fill added. The owners propose extending a patio and installing an inground pool that will be placed above base flood elevation; the lot’s geometry, staff said, prevents removing 1.5 times the fill. Staff told commissioners the plan includes excavation and two 4‑foot retaining walls and that the village engineer is comfortable the proposal will not redirect floodwaters or harm neighboring properties. Based on that review, staff recommended approval of the variance so the project can proceed to the next review stage.

An applicant representative supported the engineering plan and said the design team (recorded in the hearing as “Fair Grand”) produced a workable solution given the constraints of the small lot. The representative said the pool would be “completely up out of the floodplane” and that the project aims for a net‑zero change in on‑lot flood storage.

After questions from commissioners about the finished grade and the extent of fill required, a motion to forward the variance carried. The secretary recorded affirmative votes and noted Commissioner Henkins absent; the item will be considered by the planning and economic development committee on April 6.

The commission’s action is a recommendation; any final permit approvals and construction authorizations will follow subsequent departmental and committee review and any required village permits.