Burr Ridge board denies Windsor Court fence special use and moves to handle multiple fence variation requests

The Burr Ridge Village Board on Aug. 26 directed staff to prepare an ordinance denying a special use request to allow a fence nearer to 83rd Street than the 30‑foot corner‑side setback for the property at 8223 Windsor Court.

Homeowner Lynn Saai told trustees she sought a reduced setback (originally 9 feet, later offering 10 feet) to keep toddlers safe and to avoid removing trees; she said the heavy tree line along 83rd Street would screen the fence. Several trustees opposed the request, citing the hardship standard for special uses and concern that granting the exception would invite numerous similar requests along 83rd Street and elsewhere.

On a related agenda item the board reviewed multiple variation requests for a property on 80th Street. After hearing from petitioner Matt (transcript: "Matt Lon") about safety and daily parking congestion near a nearby school, trustees directed staff to prepare ordinances denying two requests (a front‑yard fence and a fence less than 50 percent open) and to prepare an ordinance approving one corner‑side variation that the plan commission had previously recommended. Trustees asked the newly appointed police chief to assess parking and enforcement issues around the school.

The board emphasized consistency with prior rulings and the different legal standards between a special‑use request (which must meet a hardship standard) and a variation. Multiple trustees said that while they sympathize with safety concerns, they must protect the village’s zoning standards and avoid setting a precedent that would encourage repeated exceptions.