Jeremy W. Copley appeared before the McHenry County zoning hearing seeking a variance and conditional use to allow reduced setbacks for a detached accessory structure on his R1CV-zoned property at 4605 North Stratford Drive, McHenry Township (PIN 1008178012). A building permit is pending.

Copley described a long-used gravel area on the southeast corner of his lot where boats and storage have been kept and said he wants to replace that area with a garage. “I’d like to put a garage here,” he told the hearing. Staff and neighbors described a deteriorating existing structure that sits on or near the lot line and noted the road commissioner had raised safety concerns about large vehicles and snow-plow access on the dead-end street.

Staff proposed a condition intended to prevent obstruction of the public right-of-way: “No vehicles parked on the subject property shall encroach into the right of way of Stafford Drive.” Copley accepted that condition on the record, saying, “Absolutely,” and staff explained that final approval would come from the McHenry County Board and, if approved, a building permit would follow once any required road-district or other written approvals are provided.

The hearing officer reviewed the variance standards with Copley and indicated a favorable disposition subject to the conditions and County Board action. The item will be forwarded to the County Board for final consideration.