Homeowner Daniel Frano wins zoning board approval for front-porch variances at 209 South Spring Street

Daniel Frano, the owner of 209 South Spring Street, received approval from the Village of Cary Board of Zoning, Planning, and Appeals on June 11 for variances tied to a proposed front porch and related lot-coverage increase.

Planning staff member Brian Simmons told the board the proposal would add a covered front porch that reduces the property's front-yard setback from about 19 feet to 11 feet and would raise lot coverage from about 45.2% to roughly 48.1%. Simmons said the house dates to about 1910 and is one of the village's older homes, which contributes to its nonconforming setbacks.

"They're seeking to construct a covered porch on the front of the home," Simmons said in his presentation, outlining that the setback relief exceeds 20% of the code requirement and thus would go before the Village Board as the final deciding body on that item, while the ZPA has final authority on the lot-coverage variance.

Frano testified he and his wife have owned the house about seven years and are restoring historic features. "Our long-term goal is to kind of be able to register it to the McHenry County Historical Society," Frano said, adding he had obtained contractor quotes and distributed photos to the board to illustrate the change.

The public portion drew no speakers. The ZPA moved and seconded approval of the front-yard setback variance and then moved and seconded approval of the lot-coverage increase to 48.1%. Roll-call votes recorded board members voting in favor. Simmons said the setback variance, which exceeds the 20% threshold, will likely appear on the Village Board consent agenda on July 7 for final action.

The board's approval is a recommendation (for the setback) and a final ZPA decision (for the lot-coverage variance) as described by staff. The next procedural step is Village Board consideration on July 7 for the setback relief.