Commission recommends variance for Westmont homeowners’ deck and potential pool, with condition tying relief to approved plans

The Westmont Planning & Zoning Commission voted 4–2 with one abstention on May 13 to recommend the village board approve a variance allowing the Barclay family to replace and modestly enlarge a rear deck and to permit a future above‑ground pool at 326 South Washington.

Petitioner Richard Barkley told commissioners the house and accessory structures were rebuilt under a village permit after a 1998 fire, producing a village‑verified existing lot coverage of 47.04%, well above the R3 district maximum of 35%. Barkley said the requested 261‑square‑foot deck would raise coverage to about 49.9%; if an integrated pool is later added the total could reach roughly 52.75%. Barkley said removing permitted features to reach the 35% limit would be financially impracticable and that the request met the village’s eight variance criteria because the condition arose from involuntary disaster and not by deliberate additions.

Village staff and the village engineer confirmed the existing coverage figure and reported they did not foresee drainage or safety concerns from the proposed deck or the pool site as presented. Staff explained that decks are treated differently in the engineering impervious‑surface calculations and that pools are counted as impervious under the municipal method; staff also noted the property has alley access that is currently unimproved.

Neighbors who spoke at the public hearing—including long‑time resident Wayne David and adjacent property owner John Seavoya—expressed support for the Barkleys’ request. Several commissioners expressed sympathy for the homeowners’ circumstances but also raised precedent concerns about approving coverage above 50 percent for residential lots.

Commissioner John Simpson successfully proposed a condition that the variance apply only to the deck and pool as shown on the approved site plan and that if the approved deck or pool are removed in the future, the lot coverage allowance reverts to the prior grandfathered lot coverage (i.e., the variance does not become a transferable entitlement to unlimited future impervious expansions). The amendment passed by roll call, and the full recommendation to approve the variance as amended carried 4–2 with one abstention. Staff said the case will be heard by the village board on May 28.

The commission’s recommendation is advisory; final approval and any additional conditions will be decided by the village board.