[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6092437,"mediaKeyId","2853947-4e550ea2f36269b07991b9bfae21bfb6","parentId",2853947,"title","Committee reviews silica-sand mining plan near Starved Rock; wetlands, tile drainage and reclamation cited","audioSeconds",628,"startMs",1387000,"endMs",2015000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2853947-4e550ea2f36269b07991b9bfae21bfb6&start=1387&end=2015","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2853947-4e550ea2f36269b07991b9bfae21bfb6/thumbnail_1387000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6092437/LaSalle-County/Illinois/Committee-reviews-silica-sand-mining-plan-near-Starved-Rock-wetlands-tile-drainage-and-reclamation-cited","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6092437-536e14de9994f799a7ddf30524079405/orig.mp4?Expires=1771082218&Signature=Z8XfSXvXtXJyBUkpRHdrOlyWuT2WjnOfmQvnzdwVGCq~1gW1fwI-HwdAUWgpDZzLVuGBItDr~01I8resPPvJPOGA9xAUInjtpFSE1UQ-Qs3ajTPjS065fYVFkfFe8ltvHJXVKqgvnOdI6JKgBs7KjLunIAmrrlSU-oW6rdS74vVcVPjhdUtG1blP6GtlC1BE7W8P~GoHFim58GLGdXrO~-IuKWb~7IbIfw81uIQpBqZ17wVkdJXSwcHDz6vp1Yf7JEYIlY1vPGJB6iA8nxWtzz-KvRIkNIOJhEm3vfmVj4fF7Y4LoJHkK~S31sBeG8dEmit8cGuX8dGT57beAvaMQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","LaSalle County, IL","date","2025-04-02T13:02:45Z","article","The LaSalle County Land Use Committee reviewed materials for a proposed silica-sand mining operation near the Buffalo Rock and Starved Rock area and discussed wetlands, drainage and reclamation commitments at its April 2 meeting.

Staff described the parcel as previously permitted in an earlier hearing and said the applicant (identified in correspondence as Silica/US Silica and the Riverstone Group) proposed mining up to wetland boundaries and ultimately creating lakes as part of reclamation. The county packet included maps showing wetlands, parkland and proximity to Catlin Park Road.

Committee members asked whether mining would reach aquifers and whether wetlands would be drained for mining. Staff said they did not believe the operation would hit a regional aquifer but that mining would require pumping and management of water; staff also noted prior mine projects in the county had involved pumping and slurry-handling processes. The committee asked staff to pull the original permit conditions and verify compliance, especially around wetland protections and whether reclamation commitments (creation of post-mining lakes, wetland replacement ratios) were being met.

\"I think this is this would be their first ... they've just done some preliminary work, but haven't started actually mining the Mississippi sand site yet,\" staff said, adding that earlier hearings had included large public attendance and detailed conditions.

Staff said they would review the permit conditions, confirm any drainage or brook identifications (for example, references to Browns Brook in the application) and circulate findings to the committee. The county noted that IDNR would oversee reclamation aspects while the county enforces special-use permit conditions.

Ending

Staff will retrieve the original application and conditions, verify maps and drainage references, and circulate the results to the committee for follow-up.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Land Use 4-2-25","oneSentenceSummary","Committee members discussed a proposed silica-sand mine near the Buffalo Rock/Starved Rock area, raised wetlands and drainage concerns and asked staff to review permit conditions and reclamation commitments from the applicant.","taxTitle","LaSalle County, Illinois","taxId",59330,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6092442,"LaSalle County reports higher-than-average March permits; staff assumes plan-review work amid Safe Built backlog",0,920000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2853947-4e550ea2f36269b07991b9bfae21bfb6&start=920&end=920","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2853947-4e550ea2f36269b07991b9bfae21bfb6/thumbnail_920000.jpg","/articles/6092442/LaSalle-County/Illinois/LaSalle-County-reports-higher-than-average-March-permits-staff-assumes-plan-review-work-amid-Safe-Built-backlog","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6092442-4f46da7a41d4fce0e9311fddab33501b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771082218&Signature=E6imB4cISMPAsvVcsmkhrYUaS7QXisRQS~eLVSJPk-NG8FvuUBIf--JhGPDaPsDR0W353X06UPRi4L0EovjPkbmL2Ktu17nGO7BfFu2MARMBXrFMLi4TiBjoIDh3eYtluAioLRfzlW7eMjzDVIdeJbCeoTUxEWdkuwEeWWKnzycxUv62Fz8YiA-gg8G2JTDfYDTeQAAGll0f~SVACpFJ0As4Dm8yzh57WQE8uEDQb2qp9Qr2w6AkyzfFB8cRR-dXK99lYkTymNknGaapoccFAumBRRpmXQ243hN9D0WWKL2qte2-45TxW13ER01BynlISfKN8LpGJq90PL8c9-LhYg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","LaSalle County building and zoning staff reported at the April 2 Land Use Committee meeting that March permit activity exceeded the 10-year average and that staff are handling a plan-review backlog caused by changes in Safe Built’s plan-review workflow.

Monthly permits and inspections

The county reported 36 permits issued in March — above the 10-year average — including three new single-family houses and one mobile home; no commercial projects were reported. Staff said a number of solar permit applications continue to arrive and are detailed in the staff packet.

Inspection activity and solid-waste work

Staff reported 15 non-EPA inspections, one abandoned property opened, one closed, and two new zoning violations opened. Solid-waste inspections totaled 28 in March, with four complaint inspections, 20 reinspections and four permitted-site inspections.

Staffing and plan-review backlog

Land-use staff introduced a new environmental inspector, Emma Gerkitz, and said a new inspector contracted through Safe Built began about two weeks earlier. Staff described repeated rejections of plan submissions by Safe Built’s remote reviewers and said the county has been issuing some permits directly to clear a backlog.

\"I've actually been reviewing and issuing permits because people have been waiting three weeks,\" staff said, adding that she will temporarily take on plan-review duties while the county negotiates how to handle remote reviews and whether the contract must change. Staff said Safe Built’s reviewers were rejecting plans for items the county does not require under state statute and that the company has reduced in-office hours for inspections. Staff warned the county may need to renegotiate the Safe Built contract or seek alternative arrangements if the current workflow delays permit issuance.

Other operational notes

Staff reminded the committee that registration opens for the county e-recycling event on April 12 and summarized a recent visit to a regional recycling facility in Plainfield that uses automated sorting. The county is monitoring new state bills related to solid-waste and compost market development and said the household hazardous-waste program remains in flux at the state level.

Ending

Staff said they would continue to process permits while negotiating a plan-review approach with Safe Built and would report back to the committee if contract changes are needed.","In March the county issued 36 construction permits (above the 10-year average), including three new single-family homes and one mobile home, and reported staffing changes and plan-review delays after Safe Built’s remote reviewers rejected submitted plans.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6092446,"LaSalle County land-use committee to forward resolution on renewable setbacks, weighs ordinance checklist and road-agreement timing",3933,2476000,6409000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2853947-4e550ea2f36269b07991b9bfae21bfb6&start=2476&end=6409","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2853947-4e550ea2f36269b07991b9bfae21bfb6/thumbnail_2476000.jpg","/articles/6092446/LaSalle-County/Illinois/LaSalle-County-land-use-committee-to-forward-resolution-on-renewable-setbacks-weighs-ordinance-checklist-and-road-agreement-timing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6092446-bd3d10578bca3cd03ac88c16796d386f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771082218&Signature=Kn85UWy1558VJQ5lMVwpMF4ofmkWguI6QiE~6FhgW9-SNgiwGn64R-9C55zD8~CwQ5WmNcGgckdUDOOIFNBjxzo8L3bRyxZUC~zRl-fyoKHOLbB6yXavaqSc~~tDdwQ-wHNU~bHDXMb7tLjk7xpqYpASegl9LgKHqaasafjZTtmfHXA4O706I~YnUrQxAz2p16MhSYGyDrD5XtJxD2G5tgaU8WQ-3Q4Gb-WIY5BNUcXMfw1vVG1p-zcAZeALJnR59f9UPwNRWArkDq9R8mQfD6vcGrePjaMFzjIh~cVbek4s0eqjpKfYC~aeeTONsWhDCU28Juuj255aYi7fNhPxeg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The LaSalle County Land Use Committee voted April 2 to forward a resolution to the full county board urging attention to recent state changes affecting wind and solar siting and setbacks, and spent much of the meeting reviewing whether the county should adopt a more detailed pre-application checklist for renewable-energy projects.

The resolution — asking the county board to convey local concerns about statute changes that shortened special-use timelines and altered setback rules — was approved by voice and roll-call votes and will be transmitted to the county board after the rules committee. Committee members recorded aye votes from Dave Torres, Andrew Pottinger, Steve Aubrey and Kathy Bridal; Tom Miller recorded a nay and Catherine Owens was absent. The resolution action was described at the meeting as a request to forward the draft to the full board for consideration.

Why it matters: committee members said a written checklist could standardize what applicants must show at each stage and reduce last-minute surprises for townships, drainage districts and residents. The county’s choices could affect how quickly large solar or wind projects move through local review and what evidence developers must provide before a zoning hearing.

Committee debate and checklist details

Members reviewed a “wind and solar checklist” used in Grundy County and compared it to LaSalle County’s current process. The Grundy checklist includes items often submitted later in LaSalle’s process, such as proof of meetings with township road commissioners, documentation of meetings with residents within 1,500 feet, interconnection and lease information, AIMA documentation and certain agency reviews (IDNR, U.S. Fish and Wildlife). Several committee members and staff said some of those items are already requested before a building permit is issued but not always before the county zoning vote.

Land use staff said they routinely recommend applicants contact township road commissioners and that the county issues 15-day notices to township officials, but the question was whether the county could require documented proof of those contacts as a pre-application requirement. “I do talk to the township road commissioner on all of the cases,” said Vicki, a county land-use staff member, adding that city or town projects are handled through the city planner. Staff said requiring proof before zoning hearings could conflict with state statute unless the requirement appears in the county ordinance.

Road agreements and statutory limits

Committee members discussed whether road-use agreements and related bonding or fees should be required before the county board vote or held until the building-permit stage. County legal and staff advisers noted the Illinois County Board Association guidance and state statute allow road-use agreements but restrict fees to costs ‘‘specifically and uniquely attributable’’ to facility construction. Some members argued for adding an explicit ordinance requirement so the county would have enforceable authority; others warned that requiring those agreements too early could be impractical because project designs can change between zoning approval and final construction plans.

AIMA, field-tile studies, and other technical items

Staff said the county requires AIMA documentation, tile-drainage studies and vegetative management plans before issuing building permits, and suggested some items could be requested earlier in practice even if not currently required at application intake. The committee also discussed whether the county should request GIS shapefiles for identified field tile (the AIMA process requires GPS documentation when tile is impacted) and who would maintain that data; staff said the Illinois Department of Agriculture stores some coordinates.

Next steps and vote

Committee members asked staff to produce a side-by-side note showing what LaSalle currently requires compared with the Grundy checklist and to flag items that go beyond state statute. The committee instructed staff to consult with county legal counsel about changes that would need to be added to the zoning ordinance. The committee then voted to forward the resolution to the full county board for consideration.

Ending

Staff will prepare a red-lined checklist showing which items LaSalle currently requires, which would be new, and which may conflict with state statute; staff said they would also review which items should be moved into the county zoning ordinance if the committee decides to require them earlier in the review process.","At its April 2 meeting the LaSalle County Land Use Committee discussed adopting a detailed wind/solar permit checklist (based on Grundy County’s) and whether to require road-use and township contacts earlier in the approval process. The committee voted to forward a resolution about state-level renewable siting changes to the full county board.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee reviews silica-sand mining plan near Starved Rock; wetlands, tile drainage and reclamation cited

LaSalle County reports higher-than-average March permits; staff assumes plan-review work amid Safe Built backlog

LaSalle County land-use committee to forward resolution on renewable setbacks, weighs ordinance checklist and road-agreement timing