Planning staff told the Kankakee City Planning Board on Nov. 18 that the city should re-examine how it regulates accessory structures (patios, decks, sheds), how lot coverage is calculated, and how nonconforming lots of record are treated.

Staff described the session as a first, high-level discussion and asked the board for direction on scope and priorities. The staff presentation highlighted three recurring issues: the city’s 300-square-foot limit for patios and decks, a complex multi-step method currently used to calculate buildable area and lot coverage, and frequent practical problems arising from nonconforming lots of record that cause financing or permitting difficulties for homeowners.

Comparing neighboring communities, staff said Bradley and Bourbonnais use more straightforward overall lot-coverage percentages (examples cited included 40% in R-2 and 35% in R-1 in nearby communities), while Kankakee’s code separates "building area coverage" and an additional accessory-structure allowance tied to the buildable envelope; staff called the approach "really weird and complicated." Staff noted drainage and stormwater regulation are major drivers of lot-coverage limits and suggested coordinating changes with the stormwater ordinance rather than embedding all controls in zoning.

Staff also raised nonconforming-lot issues: lenders, appraisers and real-estate professionals frequently contact the planning office because the current code can prevent reconstruction of legally existing single-family houses after damage unless the property is brought into full compliance. Staff said many lots of record are small (examples as low as 2,750–3,000 sq ft) and recommended defining "lots of record" in the nonconforming section and allowing appropriate rebuild rights.

The board discussed possible technical assistance options — including guidance from the Illinois EPA and the Illinois chapter of the American Planning Association — and asked staff to run case studies comparing sample parcels across zoning districts. Staff said she would draft a red-line ordinance and bring it back to ordinance committee or city council as appropriate for further review.

Next steps: staff will run parcel case studies, identify where stormwater rules should apply, and prepare a draft red-line ordinance for the board’s and council’s consideration. The board indicated general support for the approach.