PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Conduct the public hearing for 115 E. Benton Avenue (Saints Peter and Paul Fence) - DEV-0096-2025
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DEPARTMENT: Transportation, Engineering and Development
SUBMITTED BY: Therese Egner, Assistant Planner
ENTITLEMENTS REQUESTED:
1. A variance to Section 6-2-12:1.2 (Fences) of the Naperville Municipal Code to allow a fence to measure 6 feet in height along the subject property’s east property line.
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
Official notice for the public hearing for DEV-0096-2025 was published in the Naperville Sun on Sunday, August 3, 2025.
BACKGROUND:
The subject property, 115 E. Benton, is generally located on the west side of Ellsworth Street, north of Benton Avenue and is zoned R2 (Single-Family and Low Density Multiple-Family Residence District). The property is approximately 0.5 acres and is currently improved with a surface parking lot that is owned and used by Saints Peter and Paul church and school. The property is improved with an existing 6-foot fence with 6-foot 4inch masonry columns along the south property line and a 12’ chain link fence along the west property line.
DISCUSSION:
The petitioner is requesting to build a 6-foot fence with 6’ 4” masonry columns to continue the existing 6-foot fence along the east property line located in the front yard. Municipal Code Section 6-2-12:1.2 provides that “Open fences, as defined in Section 6-1-6 (Definitions), not exceeding four (4) feet in height may be constructed and maintained at the front or corner side yard lot line.” As the proposed 6-foot tall open fence exceeds the 4-foot maximum height allowance in the front yard, a variance is required.
The petitioner is seeking the increased fence height in order to provide a safety barrier for the elementary school children and to continue the existing fence for aesthetic purposes. The proposed fencing will not impact the parking lot’s existing vehicular access points or interrupt pedestrian crosswalks. Staff has reviewed the proposal and given the openness of the proposed fencing, the overall aesthetic improvement, and the continuation of the existing wrought iron fence with masonry columns, staff is in support of the proposal.
Findings of Fact
The petitioner’s responses to the Standards for Granting a Zoning Variance can be found in the attachments. Upon review, staff concurs with the petitioner’s Findings and recommends their approval by the Planning and Zoning Commission
Key Takeaways
• The petitioner is requesting approval of a variance to allow for a 6-foot wrought iron fence with masonry columns to be constructed in the front yard.
• Staff is in support of the variance request given the openness of the proposed fence, its overall aesthetic improvement, and the continuation of the wrought iron fence.
RELATED FILES
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