City of Dekalb Planning & Zoning Commission met Oct. 20.
Here are the minutes provided by the commission:
The Planning and Zoning Commission held a meeting on October 20, 2025, in the Second Floor Training Room at the DeKalb Police Department, 700 W. Lincoln Highway, DeKalb, Illinois. Chair Maxwell called the meeting to order at 6:00PM.
A. ROLL CALL
Recording Secretary, Olivia Doss, called the roll. Planning and Zoning Commission members present were: Thomas Fellabaum, Trixy O’Flaherty, Jerry Wright, Vice Chair Bill McMahon and Chair Max Maxwell. Commission member Maria Pena-Graham was absent. Planning Director Dan Olson was present representing the City.
B. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA (Additions/Deletions)
Chair Maxwell requested a motion to approve the October 20, 2025, agenda as presented. Vice Chair McMahon motioned to approve the agenda as presented. Ms. O’Flaherty seconded the motion, and the motion was approved by unanimous voice vote.
C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. October 6, 2025 – Chair Maxwell requested a motion to approve the October 6, 2025, minutes as presented. Mr. Wright motioned to approve the minutes as submitted. Mr. Fellabaum seconded the motion, and the motion was approved by unanimous voice vote.
D. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION (Open Floor to Anyone Wishing to Speak on Record)
None.
E. NEW BUSINESS
a. Public Hearing – A petition by Sharon M. Borden Rogers for approval of a variance to Article 7.06.3 of the Unified Development Ordinance to allow an 8-foot-high privacy fence to be constructed in a portion of the side and rear yard of the property located at 3140 N. 1st Street.
Sharon M. Borden Rogers, applicant, discussed her petition for the variance. She explained the request is for a 2-foot height variance to allow for a privacy fence a total of 8 feet in height along her south property line. Ms. Rogers stated the additional height will lessen the impact of floodlights from a neighboring property (3100 N. 1st St.). Currently, the floodlights shine in the south side windows and negatively impact her ability to enjoy her front and backyards at nighttime. She added the fence will create less light pollution from neighboring yards, increase her safety when backing out of her garage, and eliminate floodlights shining in her eyes. She also noted the fence will be minimally visible from N. 1st St. Ms. Rogers explained the street runs North and South, and her house runs East and West. She noted the fence will taper down to 3-feet-high as it goes in front of her house, and those traveling North on N. 1st Street will not see the fence. Ms. Rogers plans to add additional vegetation to ensure limited visibility of the fence from the roadway.
Planning Director, Dan Olson, provided his Staff Report dated October 16, 2025 on the petition. He detailed the petitioner’s request for a variance to Article 7.06.3 of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) to allow an eight (8) foot-high white vinyl privacy fence to be constructed in a portion of the side and rear yard of the property located at 3140 N. 1st St. Mr. Olson noted the UDO states that privacy fences cannot be over six (6) feet tall if they are located in a residential zoning district. In addition, six (6) foot high privacy fence can only be located in the side or rear yard.
Mr. Olson mentioned the proposed eight (8) foot high fence will extend along the south property line from the rear of the lot to a point in-line with the front of the home and taper down to three (3) feet to the front lot line. He reiterated the additional two feet of fence height is needed to help block out light glare from the adjacent property to the south at 3100 N. 1st St. The taper of the fence will extend two fence panels in order to make it a smoother and more aesthetically pleasing transition.
Mr. Olson said the applicant notes in her summary that she would like to construct the fence to help screen her lot from her neighbor to the south at 3100 N. 1st St. He noted Ms. Rogers mentions the neighbor has illuminated their north and west side yards with floodlights which has produced a wide beam of illumination over to her lot. The applicant goes on and mentions the lights are mounted on the 2nd level of the home at 3100 N. 1st St. and has created an extraordinary level of brightness that comes through the windows inside her home. Mr. Olson mentioned Ms. Rogers states the light glare from the floodlights interferes with the enjoyment of her use of the property. He added the applicant provided numerous photos demonstrating the light glare on her property which were provided in the background materials.
Planning Director Olson explained the additional two feet of privacy fence is needed to provide additional screening of the light glare from the adjacent property and provide more privacy. Mr. Olson confirmed the proposed fence will not interfere with access or motorist visibility leaving or entering the subject lot or other adjacent driveways. In addition, the proposed fence will hardly be visible along N. 1st St. (particularly northbound vehicles) due to the dense vegetation at the subject site and the lot to the south at 3100 N. 1st St. The surrounding area includes open space and residential and institutional uses on large parcels. Mr. Olson noted the single-family home to the south is on a 1.39- acre lot. To the east is a large publicly owned open space area and to the north is a church on an 8.3-acre lot. West of the subject site across N. 1st St. is the Bridges of Rivermist Subdivision.
Mr. Olson provided the Commission with a Public Response Form that was received from Nicholas and Allison Paxton at 3080 N. 1st Street in support of the variance. He stated staff supported the variance request and a sample motion was prepared.
Markus Kauffman, 3100 N. 1st Street, stated his support for the variance during the public hearing. No additional public comments were made or received, and the public hearing was closed.
Mr. Wright inquired what the cause of the light was. Ms. Rogers explained it was from the exterior floodlights on the two-story neighboring home to the south.
Mr. Fellabaum asked Ms. Rogers if the 8-foot-high fence will be enough to cover the lights, to which Ms. Rogers responded the fence will cover about ¾ of the windows on the south side of her home, which she believes will be sufficient.
Chair Maxwell requested a motion to approve the variance. Mr. Wright moved that based on the submitted petition, testimony presented and findings of fact, I move the Planning and Zoning Commission approve a variance to Article 7.06.3 of the Unified Development Ordinance to allow an 8-foot-high white vinyl privacy fence to be constructed in a portion of the side and rear yard of the property located at 3140 N. 1st St. as shown on Exhibit A of the staff report dated October 16, 2025. Ms. O’Flaherty seconded the motion.
A roll call vote was taken: Fellabaum – yes, O’Flaherty – yes, Wright – yes, Vice Chair McMahon – yes, Chair Maxwell – yes. Commission member Pena-Graham was absent. The motion passed 5-0- 1.
F. REPORTS
Mr. Olson stated the next Commission meeting will be on November 3, 2025, at the library. Two hearings are scheduled: one for a variance for a privacy fence on a corner lot, and one for setback variance for a four-unit townhome proposed in the Wineberry Subdivision.
Mr. Olson also noted City Council on October 13th approved the Final Plat for the Amoco Gas Station at South 4th and Taylor Street.
G. ADJOURNMENT
Chair Maxwell requested a motion to adjourn. Mr. Wright motioned to adjourn, and Ms. O’Flaherty seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned at 6:14 p.m.
https://www.cityofdekalb.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_10202025-2761
