Lake Bluff panel recommends approval of front-stair setback variance at 120 East Sheridan

The Lake Bluff Joint Plan Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals voted unanimously on June 17 to recommend that the Village Board approve a variance for 120 East Sheridan that would allow the homeowner to relocate a front stairway farther into the front-yard setback.

Homeowner Rudy Dell told the commission the existing porch exit opens directly into the driveway, posing a safety risk for his two young daughters. He asked the panel to permit an additional 3.37 feet of encroachment; his presentation noted the stair itself is roughly 3.5 feet and the existing porch already encroaches just over 6.5 feet, bringing the total encroachment to just over 10 feet.

Commissioners emphasized neighborhood context in their discussion, noting the property sits on an unusually wide right-of-way and that a neighboring house to the west already has porch steps that protrude farther than the steps proposed at 120 East Sheridan. Commissioners asked procedural questions about the impact of the existing porch removal but said the work under review relates to replacing and slightly extending the porch/stairs within the requested relief.

After discussion, a commissioner moved to recommend approval “in the form of the attached approval order.” The motion passed on a unanimous roll call. Staff told the applicant the matter will appear on the Village Board agenda on June 22 for consideration; staff said the Board will conduct first and second readings and asked the applicant to be available for the hearings.

Why it matters: The commission framed this as a narrow, site-specific variance grounded in safety concerns and compatibility with adjacent porches. The decision is a recommendation to the Village Board; any final approval will be decided by the Board at its upcoming meeting.