PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Conduct the public hearing to consider a variance to Section 6-2-10:3 (Height Limitations) for a proposed detached garage at 151 N Wright St - DEV-0039-2026
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DEPARTMENT: Transportation, Engineering and Development
SUBMITTED BY: Isaac Marlott, Assistant Planner
ENTITLEMENTS REQUESTED:
A variance to Section 6-2-10:3 (Height Limitations) to exceed the 18-foot maximum height for an accessory structure to construct an approximately 26-foot detached garage.
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
Official notice for the public hearing for DEV-0039-2026 was published in the Naperville Sun on Sunday, August 2, 2026.
BACKGROUND:
The subject property is zoned R2 (Single-Family and Low Density Multiple-Family Residence District) and is located at the southwest corner of Wright Street and School Avenue with a common street address of 151 N. Wright Street, Naperville, IL 60540. The subject property is a corner lot, approximately 10,650 square feet in size, currently improved with a primary residence and a non-conforming detached garage. The owners, who are also the petitioners, Brian and Danielle Spangler, have filed a petition with the City of Naperville requesting a variance to the accessory structure height limitations (Section 6-2-10:3 of the Naperville Municipal Code) to construct a new 26-foot tall, detached garage in the rear yard.
DISCUSSION:
The subject property is located in the R2 zoning district, and any proposed accessory structure is subject to the provisions of Section 6-2-10 of the Code. This includes Subsection 6-2-10:3 limiting the height of all residential accessory structures to 18 feet. The request by the petitioner is to exceed this allowance by approximately 8 feet to construct an accessory structure measuring 26 feet in height.
During staff review, the petitioner reduced the proposed height, originally 30 feet, down to 26 feet in response to staff feedback that the nature of the deviation was significant. The intent of the accessory structure height limitation in the Code is to minimize the bulk and visible impact of accessory structures in residentially zoned districts. The petitioner indicates that the increased height is necessary to match the cat-slide roof slope style of the primary residence and to provide additional storage space otherwise unfound in the existing residence. The petitioner also noted that the proposed garage design will improve the utility of a historic home to meet the needs of a modern family, maintain compatibility with surrounding historic structures, and will not impair adjacent properties. Staff has not received any comments or concerns from surrounding neighbors regarding the proposal.
Staff found the proposed style to appear complimentary to the existing residence, however noted the request for additional height to provide storage and a more accessible second floor is not standard nor a required feature of an accessory structure. While staff does not find there to be significant hardship on the site warranting support of the requested deviation, staff maintains a position of neutrality for this petition and notes the garage meets all other underlying zoning requirements.
Findings of Fact
The petitioner’s responses to the Standards for Granting a Variance can be found in the attachments.
Key Takeaways
• The petitioner requests a variance from Naperville Municipal Code Section 6-2-10:3 (Height Limitations) to exceed the 18-foot maximum height by an additional 8 feet for a proposed 26-foot tall, detached garage.
• Staff notes the petitioner has amended the request in response to initial staff feedback and finds the proposed garage complimentary in style to the primary structure but does not find evidence of significant hardship on the property warranting the additional requested height.