Zoning board approves variance for garage encroachment at 406 Woodland Road

The Highland Park Zoning Board on June 18 approved variance VAR 2026-00070, allowing a single-car garage to encroach 10 feet into the 60-foot established building setback at 406 Woodland Road. The board voted unanimously to grant the draft order as presented.

The variance authorizes a limited encroachment into the R5 zoning district's established building setback (EBS) to permit a new single-story home whose garage extends toward the front yard. Staff told the board the EBS maximum for R5 is 60 feet (150% of the 40-foot minimum), and the block's average setback is 66.2 feet; presenters said excluding two outlier houses brings the local average closer to 59.3 feet.

"My aunt and uncle built the house in 1951 and my cousin Berna lived there periodically," said Melissa Klotz, the applicant and designer, describing a family connection to the property in Highland Park and explaining why the existing house will be demolished and replaced. Klotz said underpinning the existing foundation to renovate proved prohibitively expensive, and the proposed layout keeps bedrooms grouped for privacy while placing a single-car garage to allow easier ingress and egress for aging occupants.

Klotz and staff said the proposed one-story garage measures roughly 11 by 21 feet and that the encroachment amounts to about 210'1-225 square feet into the EBS. They told the board an arborist will review tree preservation during permitting and that the proposed driveway and courtyard design minimizes hardscape impacts to front-yard trees.

Martin Pinskey, a Highland Park resident, testified in support: "I've wanted this. I'm practically bursting. I've loved Ravinia my whole life," he said, praising the design and saying he and his family support the project.

Board members who spoke said the application met the standards required under chapter 150. "I think the request is not that drastic," Member Arnold said. Vice Chair Chase added, "The standards have been met and [I] would be inclined to grant it," citing the presentation's direct addressing of approval criteria.

A motion to approve the draft order granting VAR 2026-00070 was made and seconded; a roll call vote recorded "I" votes from Member Arnold, Member Weissberg, Member Trzcinski, Member Zuranski, Vice Chair Chase and the chair, and the motion passed unanimously.

Patrick, the staff member who presented the case, said there were no outstanding staff reports. The board noted two items scheduled for its next meeting on July 16; the July 4 meeting had been canceled. The meeting adjourned following a unanimous voice vote to end the session.

The board record identifies the application as VAR 2026-00070 for 406 Woodland Road (R5 zoning). The approval permits the specific encroachment described in the draft order; no additional conditions or post-approval requirements were stated on the record.