Applicant Patrick M. Walsh asked McHenry County zoning officials to allow a reduced setback so he can expand an existing garage at 8706 Gardner Road in Algonquin Township.

At the hearing, Walsh said he wants “to expand our garage, a few feet to the west and then across the entire west side of the house. Basically, where the cars are parked.” The hearing officer read the application as a variance request to reduce setbacks from the west and north property lines and provided parcel details (0.2 acres; PIN 2017430001). Staff noted the lot lies in a residential/environmentally sensitive area under the county’s 2030 plan and that previous variances exist nearby.

Hearing Officer Michael McGurney reviewed the five legal standards for a variance and asked Walsh about site conditions, well and septic locations and neighboring properties. Walsh said neighbors had expressed no opposition, the driveway and parking area are asphalt, and the house’s layout makes the garage expansion necessary for vehicle storage. Staff advised that the health department must confirm well and septic locations before a building permit would be issued.

McGurney told the record he had visited the site and, after describing prior nearby variances and current site conditions, stated on the record, “With that, I would recommend approval of this,” and explained the recommendation will be forwarded to the McHenry County Board for final action at its Dec. 16 meeting, where the item will likely be placed on the consent agenda.

No formal vote was taken at the hearing. If the County Board approves the ordinance, the applicant will proceed with the building-permit process, which may require additional approvals (for example, written road-district or health-department sign-off) before construction can begin.