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Board directs staff to prepare special-use ordinance for corner-lot fence after homeowner and plan-commission debate
Summary
After homeowner testimony and a 6–1 plan-commission recommendation, the Burr Ridge Board voted unanimously to direct staff to prepare an ordinance for a special use to allow a five-foot fence on a corner residential lot at 38361st Street (Z03 2026).
The Burr Ridge Board of Trustees voted 6–0 on March 9 to direct staff to draft an ordinance approving a special use for a fence on a corner residential lot at 38361st Street (Z03 2026). The motion followed a presentation by the homeowner and discussion that referenced a 6–1 plan-commission recommendation.
Cassandra Kagelo, who identified herself as the homeowner and petitioner, described the lot as a corner configuration and asked trustees whether she could move the fence line to the patio to preserve backyard space. “I would be willing to support this if it was down here at the patio,” Kagelo said, but she added that moving the fence roughly 25 feet back would “take up a huge chunk of the backyard” and reduce usable space for her family.
Plan Commissioner Joe Petridge told the board the plan commission majority supported placing the fence on the west face of the home, noting that no formal neighbor objections were received and that the commission’s vote had been 6–1. Trustees debated the trade-off between visual impact from Garfield and the homeowner’s desire for usable backyard space; several trustees said they generally defer to plan-commission recommendations unless safety or drainage concerns are demonstrated.
Trustee Frances moved and the board seconded a motion “to direct staff to prepare an ordinance approving special use for a fence on a corner residential lot Z03 20226 15W 38361st Street Cogwell.” Roll call recorded six yes votes and the motion passed.
The ordinance drafting directs staff to prepare formal language for a subsequent meeting; trustees emphasized that their approval to draft the ordinance is not the same as final approval of the special-use permit. The board did not record a formal objection from adjacent homeowners at the meeting.
The plan commission packet and site drawings were referenced repeatedly during discussion; trustees and staff said those packet pages would be included when the ordinance is brought forward.
The board’s action returns the item to staff for ordinance preparation and future public hearing, and the petitioner may be asked to supply final, revised drawings when the ordinance is formally considered.
