Village board OKs two residential setback variances after engineering condition

The Westmont Village Board approved two zoning variance requests on consent following staff presentations and a brief public comment. A petitioner sought an interior side-yard setback reduction at 401 and 403 South Linden Avenue to accommodate a patio on a narrow duplex lot; the request would reduce the required 5-foot setback to 0 feet along the side property line, subject to engineer-approved stormwater controls to prevent runoff onto neighboring property.

Director Henner Fein explained the condition: "There was 1 neighbor that spoke in opposition, more concerned about, would the stormwater just roll off this new patio and right into their property. So there was a condition that was placed... that basically that they meet the requirements of the engineer and the engineering requirements," he said. The board approved the variance by roll call.

The board also approved a rear-yard setback reduction at 121 West 41st Street that reduces the required rear yard from 25.5 feet to 10.6 feet to accommodate an enclosed porch; the planning commission recommended unanimous approval and staff said the lot configuration reflects prior subdivision patterns behind the nearby dealership. Trustees voted to approve the variance with the usual recording and permit conditions.