Commission recommends parking setback variances for McAuley School at 1820 W. Roosevelt Road

The West Chicago Planning Commission voted Sept. 3, 2025 to recommend approval of three zoning variances requested by West Chicago School District 33 for 1820 West Roosevelt Road, the McAuley School property.

Staff told commissioners the district seeks variances to allow a 15-foot front-yard parking setback in lieu of 20 feet, a 10-foot side-yard parking setback instead of 15 feet, and a 5-foot rear-yard parking setback in place of the required 15 feet; staff recommended approval and provided findings to support the variances.

Dan Miletic, the civil engineer representing the school district, said the building is historic and constrained by its existing footprint and accessibility needs. “We handed a property that was a schoolhouse built around 1800, registry of historic places,” Miletic said, explaining that the site’s configuration, ADA-access routes and DuPage County stormwater requirements limit alternatives for relocating parking.

Commissioners asked about whether the leased or supplemental administrative offices would move and how many spaces the plan provides; staff noted the proposed stalls are consistent with the square‑footage-based parking requirement and that the plan seeks to balance historic preservation, accessibility and site limitations.

The commission voted to recommend approval of the requested variances with staff conditions and findings; roll call was five yes, zero no. The item will be considered by the development committee on Sept. 8.

The vote is a recommendation; final approvals follow the city's review process.