Gate Likely To Be Denied In Burr Ridge

BURR RIDGE, IL – Burr Ridge will likely deny a couple's request for a driveway gate on County Line Drive, even though others on the street have gates.

Recently, the village's Plan Commission again rejected the request of Rey and Haley Zaffar, who live in the 6300 block of County Line Road.

Last year, the commission originally denied them. But when the matter reached the Village Board, trustees asked the commission to hold hearings on possibly changing the code to allow gates on properties that are less than 2 acres.

Over the years, the village has loosened its policy on allowing gates on driveways. At one time, it was reserved for those with 10-acre lots, then for 5 acres and now for 2 acres. The Zaffars' lot is 1.2 acres.

Recently, the commission again recommended the board deny a gate and front yard fence for the Zaffars. The board is set to take up the matter Monday night.

In October, the board approved a front yard deck for the Zaffars.

At the time, the Zaffars said their requests for a gate and fence were for the safety of their children.

"The safety and security of our children and our property are the driving force behind this message, and frankly, we did not imagine having to petition our neighbors in this effort – it seems like common sense," the Zaffars said in a letter to the village.

At the meeting, Trustee Russell Smith said the couple's lawyer should have advised them about the restrictions before they bought the house.

"You are asking so much from what our village guidelines are," he said.