During the meeting, the Commission discussed the specifics of the proposal, noting that the new dwelling would be a modest 240-square-foot, 15-foot-tall unit. The property already includes two structures intended for use as vacation rentals, which is permissible under current regulations allowing up to two vacation rental licenses per residential parcel in Cook County. The third structure’s conversion from a bunkhouse to a functional dwelling required the conditional use permit due to its need for pressurized plumbing, which was not allowed for a bunkhouse under the existing land use permit.

The planning staff highlighted that the proposed use aligns with the comprehensive plan and is compatible with the neighborhood’s existing mix of single-family residences and resort commercial residential zoning. The Commission agreed that the modest size of the third dwelling and adherence to zoning requirements were key factors in their decision. The conditions attached to the approval include compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, as well as adherence to impervious surface coverage limits.