Commission approves Pine Woods Resort roof to 49 feet, requires sprinkler system

The Kane County Land Use Commission on March 11 approved a commercial conditional-use permit allowing a resort building to increase its roof height to 49 feet on Lot 51‑168, subject to required fire‑suppression systems and other conditions.

Applicant Brent Moser, who said he has acquired the Pine Woods Resort portion at issue, told commissioners the taller roof is primarily an aesthetic design and safety measure: “The reason why the height is extended was to create the covered space above the porches so that when you're walking around, the snow is not gonna take out these decks and things.” Staff reported the county building official and Fire Chief Forrest Bernard reviewed the proposal; the fire chief told staff the height would be “doable” provided the applicant installs a sprinkler/fire‑suppression system and addresses WUI/defensible‑space requirements, which may include removing some trees.

Commissioners discussed notice and precedent: staff clarified conditional‑use permits (CUPs) are administrative approvals that do not require neighbor notice, and the commission emphasized CUPs allow case‑by‑case mitigation. One commissioner noted the applicant’s site is “surrounded by trees” and that the proposed height primarily affects roof form rather than adding multiple stories. After discussion, a motion to approve the CUP (moved from the bench) was seconded and carried; the motion included the requirement for the sprinkler system identified by the fire chief.

What happens next: the commission approved the recommendation at the meeting; the approval was recorded as carried with no opposed votes on the record. Any required building permits and fire‑safety plans must be completed before vertical construction proceeds.