Frankfort Board Overrules Plan Commission, Approves Siding Variance for Larch Road Home

Article Summary: The Frankfort Village Board unanimously approved a building materials variance for a new home on Larch Road, overriding a split vote from the Plan Commission that had failed to provide a positive recommendation. The decision allows the homeowners to use non-masonry siding on the first floor, a choice trustees felt was in keeping with the character of the older neighborhood.

Bingham Residence Variance Key Points:

• The variance applies to a new 3,092-square-foot home to be built at 202 Larch Road in the Krusemark Subdivision.

• The Plan Commission vote was split 3-2, which does not constitute a favorable recommendation for approval.

• The Village Board required a two-thirds majority to approve the variance without the commission’s recommendation, which it achieved with a 5-0 vote.

• Trustees argued that many existing homes in the older subdivision already feature siding, making the request reasonable.

FRANKFORT – The Frankfort Village Board on Monday, September 22, 2025, unanimously granted a building materials variance for a new home at 202 Larch Road, a move that went against the recommendation of its Plan Commission.

Property owners Scott and Jaclyn Bingham requested permission to use LP SmartSide board and batten siding on the entire first floor of their proposed 3,092-square-foot home. Village ordinance typically requires full masonry on the first floor of new homes in the R-2 Single-Family Residential District.

The request failed to gain a favorable recommendation from the Plan Commission at its September 11 hearing, which ended in a 3-2 split vote. Because a positive recommendation requires four affirmative votes, the matter came to the Village Board without the commission’s approval, requiring a two-thirds majority vote from the trustees to pass.

The board, however, found the request suitable for the area.

“I support the variance request,” said Trustee Adam Borrelli. “If you look at the area, it’s an older area. Krusemark is somewhat an extension of downtown. About a quarter of the houses are siding or almost all siding.”

He added that the proposed material is a high-quality product. “The siding that’s being proposed is beautiful. It’s not, you know, aluminum or vinyl,” Borrelli said. “Frankly, I think stone would kind of take away from the architecture of the house.”

Other trustees echoed that sentiment, noting they had driven through the neighborhood and observed numerous homes with siding. “I also am in support,” said Trustee Jessica Petrow. “I think it’s important to look at when the subdivisions were founded, right? And this was founded before the 2001 update that really had the brick and stone.”

The board voted 5-0 to approve the variance.