Homeowner granted recommendation to reduce rear-yard setback for Hillrest Drive garage addition

The Prospect Heights Plan Commission on June 24 recommended that the City Council approve a variance to reduce the required 50-foot rear-yard setback to 10 feet at 408 Hillrest Drive so homeowner John Kish can add a single garage stall.

Director Peterson described the lot as a legal nonconforming residence built before modern setbacks were adopted; the house sits deep on a sloped lot, and Kish said the addition would enclose storage and make the rear of the property “look nice.” Kish testified that only the neighbor directly behind his property could potentially see the addition and that the neighbor expressed verbal support.

Commission discussion focused on design integration and limiting future detached accessory buildings. Commissioners pressed whether the new roof lines would tie into the existing structure and whether a condition should cap the size and number of accessory structures on the lot. Staff and commissioners discussed accessory-structure limits consistent with code maximums and proposed a condition restricting additional detached accessory buildings to small sheds (one up to 200 square feet was discussed). The commission also moved to add the homeowner’s photos as Exhibit 8 to the public record.

By roll call the commission voted unanimously to recommend approval to the city council with the stated condition limiting accessory structures and with plans required to demonstrate cohesive roof lines and permit compliance. The case is scheduled for first reading at the city council on Monday, July 13, with staff noting the commission’s unanimous recommendation.

The commission recorded that petitioner-provided exhibits would be entered into the public record and that permit-level plans will be required to resolve tie-in and roof/architectural details.