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File #: 26-0139    Version: 1 Name:
Type: License Renewal Status: Agenda Ready
File created: 1/9/2026 In control: FPD Board of Commissioners
On agenda: 3/10/2026 Final action:
Title: PROPOSED LICENSE RENEWAL REQUEST Request: Requesting authorization for the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the "Forest Preserves"), as Licensor to renew a License to Sophia Tarka, 315 Mason Street, Calumet City, Grantee, to locate, operate and maintain an existing detached single car garage structure and driveway. The garage was constructed around 1954 and encroaches on Forest Preserves property by 4.6 feet, the driveway by 8 feet. Ms. Tarka acquired her property in 2008 and continues to occupy and maintain the garage and driveway. A 10-year residential hardship license (License #1747) was approved by the Board of Commissioners on 9/8/2015 (Board Item No. 15-0413). In 2014, the Forest Preserves Board of Commissioners approved an ordinance amendment authorizing residential hardship licenses via Title 2, Section 2-3-1(D) of the Forest Preserves Code of Ordinances. As described in some detail in the Forest Preserves Land Use Code (see Title 2, Section 2-5-1), the Forest Preserves' auth...
Indexes: ADAM BIANCHI, General Superintendent
Attachments: 1. FPCC Code Sec. 2-3-1(D), 2. FPCC Land Use Code, 3. Tarka Photos, 4. 2015 LURSF -Tarka, 5. 1747 Survey Final
Related files: 14-0374, 15-0413
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PROPOSED LICENSE RENEWAL REQUEST

Request: Requesting authorization for the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the "Forest Preserves"), as Licensor to renew a License to Sophia Tarka, 315 Mason Street, Calumet City, Grantee, to locate, operate and maintain an existing detached single car garage structure and driveway. The garage was constructed around 1954 and encroaches on Forest Preserves property by 4.6 feet, the driveway by 8 feet. Ms. Tarka acquired her property in 2008 and continues to occupy and maintain the garage and driveway. A 10-year residential hardship license (License #1747) was approved by the Board of Commissioners on 9/8/2015 (Board Item No. 15-0413).

In 2014, the Forest Preserves Board of Commissioners approved an ordinance amendment authorizing residential hardship licenses via Title 2, Section 2-3-1(D) of the Forest Preserves Code of Ordinances. As described in some detail in the Forest Preserves Land Use Code (see Title 2, Section 2-5-1), the Forest Preserves' authority to issue licenses as a non-home rule entity is limited to mission related and other purposes specifically authorized by its Enabling Statute. Residential hardship licenses are an equitable way to resolve long-standing encroachments that meet the requirements under Code Section 2-3-1(D) without litigation. In the interim, the licenses are recorded on the Licensee's Chain of Title and the land is maintained by the Licensee.

Term: Ten (10) Years

License Fee: $2,500.00

License Application Fee: N/A

YELAR Fee: Waived

Total fee of $2,500.00 payable in one lump sum or in annual installments of $250.00 for the ten-year term of the License Renewal (Sec. 2-3-1(D), 5-2A-4 and 5-2A-6)

Tree Mitigation Fee: N/A

The area of the License is: 0.02 Acre

Concurrence(s): The Chief Financial Officer has approved this item. Final License Renewal is subject to legal review and approval.

Grantee will be required to meet the insurance requirements under the License Renewal terms.

The F...

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