CITY COUNCIL COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Pass the ordinance approving a variance to allow a deck to encroach into the required rear yard setback at 501 Larkspur Court - DEV-0017-2026
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DEPARTMENT: Transportation, Engineering and Development
SUBMITTED BY: Therese Egner, Community Planner
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
The Planning and Zoning Commission (PZC) considered this matter on May 20, 2026 and voted to recommend approval of the request (approved 7-0). Staff concurs.
BACKGROUND:
The subject property is zoned R1A (Low Density Single-Family Residence District) and is located at 501 Larkspur Court. The Petitioner and property owners are Vincent and Lisa Pappalardo, 501 Larkspur Court, Naperville, IL 60563. The subject property is approximately 13,017 square feet in size and is improved with a single-family residence and existing deck. The property is a corner lot, located on the northeast side of Braemar Avenue and Larkspur Court.
DISCUSSION:
The subject property is located in the R1A zoning district. Per Section 6-6A-7:1 of the Municipal Code, the R1A zoning district has a rear yard setback of 25 percent of the lot depth which need not exceed 30 feet. Based on this provision, the subject property has a 28.65-foot required rear yard setback. The Code provides an allowance for patios, decks, and porches to extend up to 10 feet into the required rear yard setback. This results in an 18.65-foot permitted setback from the rear property line for attached decks at the subject property.
An attached deck currently exists on the subject property in the rear of the home located in the same footprint as the proposed deck. The existing deck is currently setback 16 feet 4 inches from the rear property line and is considered existing non-conforming as it currently does not comply with the 10-foot allowance into the required rear yard. The Petitioners and property owners, Vincent and Lisa Pappalardo, are proposing to remove the existing deck and replace it with a composite deck, triggering the need for a variance.
The Petitioners and property owners are requesting approval of a variance from Section 6-2-3:3.2 of the Naperville Municipal Code to allow the proposed deck to encroach 12 feet 4 inches into the 28.65-foot required rear yard setback, 2 feet 4 inches further than permitted. If approved, the deck will be replaced to remain in its existing location on the subject property.
Staff is in support of the variance request due to the unique lot configuration and finds that the purpose of the yard requirements is to prevent the overcrowding of land and to preserve sight lines and the open nature of the rear yard. The proposed unroofed deck maintains an open rear yard and will not exceed its existing footprint.
Findings of Fact
The petitioner’s responses to the Standards for Variances can be found in the attachments. Upon review, the Planning and Zoning Commission and staff concur with the petitioner’s findings and recommends their adoption by City Council.
Planning and Zoning Commission Review
The PZC considered the variance request on May 20, 2026. No members of the public spoke on the request. The Commission moved to adopt the findings of fact as presented by the Petitioner and approve DEV-0017-2026 (approved 7-0). Staff concurs.
Key Takeaways
§ Municipal Code Section 6-2-3:3.2 permits decks to encroach 10-foot into the rear yard setback, resulting in a permitted 18.65-foot setback.
§ The owner requests to construct a deck which is 16-foot 4-inches from the rear property line.
§ The PZC recommended approval of the requested variance. Staff concurs.