Homeowner Seeks Village's Help on Zoning Issue

A homeowner is asking the Village Board to rezone a piece of property — more than 35 years after it was developed.

Huntley’s zoning map allows only single-family homes be built in the area of Cindy Jo Avenue. But the home at 10408 Cindy Jo Ave., was built as a duplex.

Thomas Panzloff purchased the home in October. He is trying to refinance the property but the discrepancy with the zoning prevents him from obtaining a conventional loan. He told officials it also would limit him from selling it.

Panzloff also is seeking relief from the minimum lot area required for a duplex because his lot is slightly smaller than the 16,000 square feet the village requires.

“I don’t see this as a zoning change,” Panzloff said, after he appeared before the board Thursday. “I see it as a zoning correction.”

The home was built about 1971, however, the Grafton Township Assessor’s Office found the earliest records dating to 1977 showing the building was a duplex, officials said.

Huntley officials said “there is no record of the structure ever being converted from a single-family use or other approval that would allow it as a legal nonconforming use,” according to Village Board documents.

Trustees briefly discussed the request Thursday and seemed divided. Trustee Harry Leopold said he did not support the rezoning, and Trustee John Piwko said he did not like the idea of “spot rezoning.”

Trustee Niko Kanakaris sympathizes with the homeowner.

“I don’t want to see it changed, but I guess he’s in a bind here,” Kanakaris said.

Panzloff would not be able to rebuild the duplex if it was destroyed nor would he likely be able to sell it. He has been doing cosmetic work on the duplex and plans to rent the home.

A formal vote on the matter is expected March 22.