McHenry County board amends term, unanimously backs renewal for Woodstock dairy-barn research use

The McHenry County Zoning Board of Appeals voted unanimously to forward applicant Bill Hughes’ request to renew a conditional use permit allowing engineering research, product development and limited production in a remodeled dairy barn at 910 Hobie Road in Woodstock.

Bill Hughes told the board he and his wife own the 5.6-acre property through a trust and that the barn has housed his agricultural-engineering business, including design, prototyping and some manufacturing, since the mid-1990s. "I'd like to get longer than 10 years if possible because I'll be back here when I'm 66," Hughes said when explaining why he asked the board to consider a term of 15 to 20 years instead of the 10 years recommended by staff.

Planner Melody Jacobson summarized staff’s review, telling the board the parcel is zoned A-1 Agriculture with an existing conditional use and that surrounding parcels and future land-use designations are agricultural. "Staff finds no objections with the renewal request presented today," Jacobson said. She also noted required notices and reports were on file, including publication, posting and a McHenry County Soil and Water Conservation District report.

During questioning, Hughes said he does not expect substantial expansion of on-site operations at the subject property; he described four on-site offices and about five to six employees who work daily at the barn, with some larger-scale work moved to a nearby industrial building acquired in 2014.

Board member Charlie Eldridge moved to amend condition 1, changing the permit term from 10 years to 20; Bill Kernick seconded. After remarks noting the long history of the use and lack of complaints, the board approved the amendment 7–0.

The board then voted 7–0 to approve the conditions as amended and to accept the petition. The chair said the approval will be forwarded to the McHenry County Board with a unanimous recommendation to grant the renewal.

Several board members offered support on the record: Eldridge described the operation as "clean and quiet" and important to agriculture, and Robert Kosen said he welcomed evidence that active agriculture continues in McHenry County. Vicky Gardner, Mary Donner and others spoke in favor, noting the barn’s careful maintenance and the value of Hughes’ devices to agricultural users.

Next steps: the county board will receive the zoning board’s 7–0 recommendation; final action will be taken by the county board at a later date.