CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Pass the ordinance approving a major change to the conditional use to grant a variance for a fence for the property located at 1800 S. Washington Street - DEV-0033-2026
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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 July 15, 2026, and voted to recommend approval of the petitioner’s request (approved 8-0). Staff concurs.
BACKGROUND:
The subject property, with a common address of 1800 South Washington Street, is located on the east side of Washington Street, south of 75th Street. The subject property was granted a conditional use for a public utility building in 1961 per Ordinance 38-061. The approximately 14-acre property is improved with a wastewater pump station/operations facility for the City of Naperville’s Department of Public Utilities-Water and is zoned R1A (Low Density Single-Family Residence District).
The petitioner, the City of Naperville Department of Public Utilities-Water, proposes to construct an 8-foot-tall privacy style fence in the front yard to screen a new generator for the utility facilities. The petitioner requests a variance to locate the 8-foot fence in the front yard and, in conjunction with the request, is required to amend the existing conditional use.
In April of 2026, a building permit was approved for a new generator for the operations facility. The petitioner was granted an administrative Temporary Use pursuant to Municipal Code 6-2-11 to permit the fence to be installed concurrent with the installation of the generator. The Temporary Use expires in October 2026; upon approval of the requested variance, the temporary use is no longer required.
DISCUSSION:
Fence Variance
Per Section 6-2-12 (General Zoning Provisions: Fences) of the Municipal Code, open-style fences 4 feet tall in height or less are permitted in the required front yard, closer to the front lot line than the principal building. The petitioner proposes to install an 8-foot, wooden privacy style fence in the required front yard of the subject property adjacent to the Washington Street frontage. A variance is required for the height and style of the 8-foot solid fence.
Per the petitioner, the proposed variance allows the facility to provide adequate screening and security for critical equipment. Per Municipal Code 6-2-5 (Utility Facility Regulations), utility facilities are required to be screened with fence or landscaping with 75% opacity. The proposed fence complies with this requirement.
Findings of Fact
The Petitioner’s Responses to Standards for granting a variance are attached. Upon review, the Planning and Zoning Commission and staff concur with the petitioner’s findings and recommend their adoption by City Council.
Major Change to the Conditional Use
The subject property was granted a conditional use for a public service utility building in 1961. Per Section 6-3-8:5.1 (Administration and Enforcement: Conditional Uses: Major Changes), approval of a variance request requires a major change to a conditional use. Staff finds that the proposed variance request for the fence is appropriate for the subject property as it provides necessary screening the utility facility.
Findings of Fact
The Petitioner’s Responses to Standards for granting or amending a conditional use are attached. Upon review, the Planning and Zoning Commission and staff concur with the petitioner’s findings and recommend their adoption by City Council.
Planning & Zoning Commission Action
The Planning and Zoning Commission considered this matter at their meeting on July 15, 2026. There was no public testimony. After limited discussion, the PZC closed the public hearing and recommended approval of the request (approved 8-0). Staff concurs with the Planning and Zoning Commission’s recommendation.
Key Takeaways
• The petitioner requests a major change to the conditional use for a public utility facility to grant a variance to permit the installation of an 8-foot privacy style fence in the required front yard.
• The PZC and staff support the requests given that the proposed fence provides appropriate screening and security for the utility facility.
RELATED FILES
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