The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission on Tuesday approved variances for a new oversized accessory garage in Wheatland Township, siding with a homeowner and builder over a staff recommendation for denial.

The commission voted unanimously in favor of Arshed Aroos, owner of a 3.8-acre property at 24615 W. 103rd Street near Naperville, who is in the process of building a new single-family home. The decision allows for the construction of a detached garage that will be larger and taller than what county code permits.

The variances increase the maximum accessory building area from 1,800 to 2,432 square feet and raise the maximum building height from 25 feet to 29.75 feet.

County planning staff had recommended denying both requests, arguing the owner’s plight was not due to unique circumstances but was a matter of “personal preference.” Staff also noted that if approved, the property would have the largest accessory building area and tallest accessory structure in the general vicinity.

However, Ken Nunkovich, the agent for the homeowner, explained the design choices were driven by aesthetics and a desire to match the main residence. He said the property’s large attached garage already consumed most of the 1,800-square-foot allowance, making the 662-square-foot detached garage require a variance.

“The detached garage that we’re proposing is very similar in size to the detached garage that’s on the property to the east,” Nunkovich said.

Regarding the height, Nunkovich explained that a breezeway connecting the house and garage necessitated taller walls for the eaves to align properly. “Our intent is to have the roof pitch match what’s on the house so it doesn’t look like it’s part of that structure and not stand out on its own,” he added. The commissioners approved the requests without further discussion.