Commission denies rezoning request for parcel near Mary Lake after neighbors object

Kane County commissioners voted June 30 to deny an application to rezone Parcel 878-7-8-30 from Residential-5 to Commercial-2 after several neighbors and county staff expressed concerns about the long-term implications for the neighborhood.

“My name is Mary Mackelhome, and I would like to address item number 13 on the agenda regarding the rezoning,” said Mary Mackelhome, who told the commission her family’s cabins are across the street and that she opposed granting a straight C-2 designation. “I am against the passage of this rezoning because it is a terrible way to go about getting this family extra RVs… What is on the agenda today is request for a straight C 2 commercial land use.”

Several other residents, including Lori Meniere and Tracy Sanford, described decades of seasonal family use at nearby properties called Heritage Acres and called the requested change “spot zoning” that would permit broader commercial uses than the family’s stated intent. “We are asking the county commissioners and the planning and zoning board for the best solution that allows us to have more than 2 trailers on our property for summer seasonal use,” Tracy Sanford told the commission, providing historical context that the property was used for family reunions since 1978.

Planning staff Shannon explained the local process and the Planning and Zoning Commission’s recommendation, noting the P&Z formally recommended denial and that temporary use permits for the site do not move to the full commission. “This property has a lot of history on it,” Shannon said, noting past ordinances and the county’s 2013 Recreational Vehicle Ordinance that limits RV use without separate approvals.

Commissioner Sarah Myers and other commissioners emphasized that a temporary use permit approved for the family covered the current season and that converting to C-2 zoning would allow uses inconsistent with the general plan and with the character of the nearby residential area. Commissioner Myers moved to deny Ordinance O2026-18; the commission called for a voice vote and recorded the ayes, denying the zone change.

The denial preserves the parcel’s Residential-5 designation; staff told the public that other administrative avenues (including upcoming P&Z consideration of RV-ordinance amendments) remain available for addressing long-standing, seasonal family use. The chair closed the hearing and invited residents to follow related P&Z discussions scheduled later this year.