Mount Prospect allows decades-old shed converted to art studio for 7-year-old to stand

Mount Prospect trustees voted with their hearts Tuesday, granting zoning relief to a resident for a shed converted to an art studio for a seven-year-old girl with therapeutic needs.

A decades-old shed on Mitch Kenoe's property at 17 S. Maple St. will remain, despite not conforming to zoning requirements for rear-yard setback, lot coverage, accessory structure size and height.

The shed predated the current owners and existed without proper permits. It was transformed into a therapeutic space through a Make-A-Wish Foundation grant into an art studio for his 7-year-old daughter, who has juvenile idiopathic arthritis and a brain anomaly requiring ongoing therapies. It is being further improved with a porch.

“We were so grateful to have been given this incredible gift. This was intended to bring peace and joy to my daughter and our family,” Kenoe said. “This is not about capitalization or increasing property value. We're just trying to make sure that it can stand in perpetuity, regardless of our situation.”

Kenoe said his daughter is very involved in arts and crafts and music.

“She is one of the toughest people I have ever met in my life,” he said.

It was built under a temporary village permit, but the village required removal if the property were sold. But due to the family's need to relocate, the owners requested permanent zoning relief to allow the structure to remain permanently and enable the completion of the seven-foot porch addition.

At Tuesday’s meeting, the board agreed to treat the structure as “existing nonconforming,” allowing it to remain unless the shed is damaged to more than 50% of its value, at which point any new structure would need to meet current setback requirements. They are also required to install a French drain system.

Neighbors submitted letters of support and attended Tuesday’s village board meeting to advocate for the family.

“It looks great, and I can't imagine tearing it down after refurbishing it,” said neighbor Eileen Kowalczyk.

Laura Hollis, a family friend, told the board: “This is not just a shed. It is something meaningful and purposeful that holds a place in this child's heart.”

“With so many moving parts in today's fast-paced world, sometimes the human element in life is missed,” said Trustee Vince Dante. “It's not just about the shed, but also about the resident’s quality of life.”