[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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",5973227,"mediaKeyId","5842541-ba31d70e5a7c7ed933a70c13924b5890","parentId",5842541,"title","Planning commission tables R-2 chicken limits; board advances R-1 animal-cap rules to October","audioSeconds",83,"startMs",1092000,"endMs",1175000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5842541-ba31d70e5a7c7ed933a70c13924b5890&start=1092&end=1175","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5842541-ba31d70e5a7c7ed933a70c13924b5890/thumbnail_1092000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5973227/Lee-County/Illinois/Planning-commission-tables-R-2-chicken-limits-board-advances-R-1-animal-cap-rules-to-October","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5973227-59c59591847de49f704b6a6b2c57ca9f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775235684&Signature=fQZC41VTcM1Acyps4EzP-6YZfIkKl9ZcfOj6wrBsO0s54a7f20imXZvcZ9epdV1I5ds8SPhYhysUlK5Q2qQjHSxspvqCNwhra0g7-M08XrTHgIRvJc9Dw6jeuCR3CoDqVent-cHDe412NI8l7ENLAY4Rd35uM7Qk60BtHjCgRV51d7kfgGrcld8OKptCmCqhIazttXr9huZnqPOq7~y4qyvV4M5JFcLXG5gFmHmW5cVT6yQIHUZ96TeoGFVG2Exq2LOoeUZIaCy3~ePQTibxow~Q705D6Z0ObUy4HW86dZFskQE43yzChrO4WtlTEwzEHmcQvnov~dk2T1dgE5IXTQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lee County, IL","date","2025-09-26T11:53:42Z","article","The Lee County Board reviewed a planning-commission petition to amend residential-district animal limits in Title 10, Chapter 5 of the county zoning code.
The planning commission voted to amend the R-1 district regulations to limit the number of animals allowed per acre or parcel, and the board accepted that recommendation. The commission, however, tabled the portion of the proposal specific to the R-2 single-family residential district — a proposal that would allow up to six chickens and no roosters under specified rules — and scheduled resumed discussion for Oct. 6.
At the board meeting staff (Alice) explained the two-part petition: one change to R-1 and a second change to the R-2 language about backyard chickens. The planning commission supported the R-1 amendment but deliberately held off a final decision on R-2 to allow more public input and additional review. The board then voted to table consideration of the R-2 component until the October meeting.
Discussion vs. decision: The board formally tabled further action on the R-2 chicken regulation and forwarded the R-1 amendment recommendation from the planning commission; no R-2 ordinance changes were adopted at the meeting.
Next steps: The planning-commission and board discussion on the R-2 chicken provisions will resume Oct. 6.
","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lee County Board Meeting - 09/25/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Lee County planning commission recommended amending R-1 residential rules to limit animals; the R-2 proposal (allowing up to six chickens, no roosters) was tabled and will resume Oct. 6 for further discussion.","taxTitle","Lee County, Illinois","taxId",58219,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5973233,"Lee County finance committee finalizes budget plan; adds sheriff patrol positions and funds case-management upgrade",211,2050000,2261000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5842541-ba31d70e5a7c7ed933a70c13924b5890&start=2050&end=2261","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5842541-ba31d70e5a7c7ed933a70c13924b5890/thumbnail_2050000.jpg","/articles/5973233/Lee-County/Illinois/Lee-County-finance-committee-finalizes-budget-plan-adds-sheriff-patrol-positions-and-funds-case-management-upgrade","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5973233-13c4ac34bdeef83c686f5cba937e98c3/orig.mp4?Expires=1775235684&Signature=n08YQ6LZfRP-xp9xkQe~GlG9zIfw-mWDdeNHolio0Wr5TBVsT~bHnj-0c7ylNwnxsgW5zPlznee84eZPiq8VQCFQTAdoLmCaxEldPc-CklihN6V~H9MmXOY8i4U1ZpyVvVTk8KXj4-bmT4YV0yfvnRLQdrGvFjEN-rUcEpDjuXs4AFLoRUFxd4KkGTqhz-G5QLSXpT0vwr2spQIz1VIpHoFkMK7v1tM7-Hcvyhav-rEmEX2Sjp83IFdvVUh9v-dJTh-lJlAhwURCmiDzV7JTbxLhfl68QQWoZDDN3VDjPA7JdBnfJcegrivTA4DBowlg6ubzi1wNVHZqYqgg8WSHJw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lee County Board’s finance committee reported it has finalized a draft budget that, as presented to the board, shows a roughly $6,000 positive balance ahead of final board action later in the fall.
Committee chair reported that the draft budget includes two new patrol positions for the sheriff’s office to address overtime pressures and sets aside about $1 million for a case-management and file system for the circuit clerk. To balance the budget, the county will sweep excess balances from the solid-waste fund (maintaining a $2 million minimum by ordinance) into county general and transfer $200,000 out of capital reserves. The finance chair said the budget has materially improved from earlier projections when the county faced a $1.5 million shortfall.
Timeline and process: The finance committee will pass the finalized budget to the executive committee in October for layover and for formal county board consideration and adoption in November. The chair emphasized there is still opportunity for public comment and for board members to raise questions before final adoption.
Other fiscal actions at the meeting: The board approved updates to its financial and auditing policies and procedures (motion carried) and approved county officers’ reports and quarterly treasury reports. The board also approved claims and payroll as presented.
Discussion vs. decision: The board approved policy updates and selected reports; the budget itself remains at the committee-to-executive stage and will require additional formal votes in October/November for final adoption.
","Finance committee reported a budget showing roughly $6,000 positive balance pending final approval; the draft adds two sheriff patrol positions, allocates $1 million for a circuit-clerk case-management system, and includes transfers using excess solid-waste fund balances to shore up county general.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5973238,"Lee County board moves several zoning and subdivision petitions forward; church special-use approved",364,250000,614000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5842541-ba31d70e5a7c7ed933a70c13924b5890&start=250&end=614","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5842541-ba31d70e5a7c7ed933a70c13924b5890/thumbnail_250000.jpg","/articles/5973238/Lee-County/Illinois/Lee-County-board-moves-several-zoning-and-subdivision-petitions-forward-church-special-use-approved","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5973238-493b16a098d4e56d8955830b125b2cb5/orig.mp4?Expires=1775235684&Signature=eAfcuP06vn6lnBmIkqU~sx0OCbRMTZ3C~HYn-flMqN3LYU~bm36l8O48Yvoz7AaJPx-nFY6a15n4eVel8TfIksF419UlMWzkXr19ZwwIQRyCMLxfvRimlmU-fPEd3wdZt1TgURFD~AoP1bDVRHRN3xl56r7lSmO7w69~CAcNYCmg8XQZVol7Zh6xSbS-wkE6BtcP0AkAVEaBEi04SHIRTDWjpQc6ZowRBK4oF8KsVNS-lsgr0gDbzB0JbOqA1O4nxEaFDBG7xW5IqFtrt2r-mTgulkKX-NgauYM-oXSnNdg9H8FtGChAoMUB15STf~SLWEPJyqfHVWxSDXqmJWZelg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lee County Board approved a string of zoning and planning items Tuesday, advancing several petitions to the zoning hearing officer or planning commission and approving a special-use permit for a church at 174 Rocky Ford Road.
Zoning staff identified multiple petitions. The board approved petition 25P1651 for Rosie Tales, who requested a special-use permit to operate a church on roughly 5 acres at 174 Rocky Ford Road in May Township; after no questions, the board voted by voice to approve the petition.
The board also voted to move several matters to the zoning hearing officer or planning commission for further review: petition 25P1652 (a variance request related to side and rear yard setbacks for a property on Illinois Route 38 in Franklin Grove), 25P1653 (a map amendment to rezone a small parcel in Palmyra Township from Ag-1 to R-2 to resubdivide lots with a woodland preservation easement), and two preliminary-plat petitions (25PC81 and 25PC82) related to subdivisions in Palmyra Township. In each case, a motion was made and carried to forward the petition to the appropriate hearing body.
From the zoning hearing officer this month, petition 25P1647 (Donald and Annette Early) asked to amend the zoning map from R-2 to R-1 at 602 River Lane in Dixon to allow raising livestock; the board approved the resolution after the zoning hearing officer recommended approval.
Where applicable, the board relied on the zoning hearing officer’s recommendations; votes were by voice or roll call depending on the item. When the planning commission’s review of changes to residential-district animal limits (Title 10, Chapter 5 and R-2 provisions for chickens) reached the board, the planning commission’s recommendation to amend R-1 was accepted but the R-2 portion (allowing six chickens, no roosters) was tabled for further discussion and scheduled to resume October 6.
Discussion vs. decision: Several petitions were forwarded to the zoning hearing officer or planning commission for public hearing and recommendation; other petitions were approved by the county board during the meeting. No single petition combined into multiple board approvals was split into separate articles; related petitions were grouped for planning commission consideration where the record connected them.
","The board approved multiple zoning petitions and moved several subdivision and variance petitions to the zoning hearing officer or planning commission, including approval of a special-use permit for a church at 174 Rocky Ford Road and approval to amend a parcel’s zoning to allow livestock.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5973243,"Lee County board rejects special-use permit for skilled-trades operation at 582 U.S. 52",144,825000,969000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5842541-ba31d70e5a7c7ed933a70c13924b5890&start=825&end=969","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5842541-ba31d70e5a7c7ed933a70c13924b5890/thumbnail_825000.jpg","/articles/5973243/Lee-County/Illinois/Lee-County-board-rejects-special-use-permit-for-skilled-trades-operation-at-582-US-52","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5973243-ad36bc519bb4ae9d0ffe77da57a66bfe/orig.mp4?Expires=1775235684&Signature=hbnhSud621pju1InkPXsunu6b13I2SpQC101SKNdoVgvxnoRDCGGDpeUkitPnORLVAXViYyNOT8GeZ4tGR3qt~J9Lni7ZotTp8IajqeodFGv3TLbREkyTQHyQdZDVPIQbqGNuTbWMzndGcAq~r2Yk8Jsn7P8vjS394c3wGxJOrJ46~J9KT93E2L4JTSqf9RraZxU5QPvb1~vVmI3I0p8DYIBRAB8IKN3Utk0mecIEWiycO~H6dqLQ2mlkkhKMBfCdQwO7DBCZFr0gsmlEXnwFKCYg3Lrheki0QihHyCAjmpFR03hKCu5u-uAJbhIbapNCKgZXtJI8L8mdxk2EUCyJQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lee County Board on a roll-call vote failed to approve a special-use permit that would have allowed a skilled-trades operation at 582 U.S. Route 52 in Sublette Township.
The zoning hearing officer, Timothy J. Slavin, had recommended denial in a written report, saying the petitioner had not met ordinance requirements and suggesting conditional approvals only if the board chose to reverse his recommendation.
Board member Radford told colleagues he also supported following the hearing officer’s recommendation to deny, saying he was “pretty familiar with the place” and did not think the petitioner had made sufficient efforts to comply. After a roll call in which the publicized votes were recorded as “No” by nearly all members, the chair announced, “Motion failed.”
Petitioner Gregory L. Husser Trust filed the petition (25P1650) seeking a special-use permit to allow “skilled trades” on roughly 3.47 acres zoned Ag-1 at the Sublette address. The zoning hearing officer’s report — read into the record — recommended denial because requirements of the Lee County Code were not met; the report also included suggested conditions in the event the board granted the permit, including restricting outdoor storage and requiring a traffic-safety assessment from IDOT at the petitioner’s cost.
During public comment, a man identifying himself as Greg Hosser (resident at 582 U.S. Highway 52) said he has lived at that address since 1994, described ongoing clean-up efforts, and criticized how county staff handled permitting and notices. Hosser said he felt he was “thrown in” before a hearing officer without legal counsel and asked why another staff member, Jared, had not taken a more active role in communicating with him. Hosser said the denial would affect his local business relationships.
Discussion vs. decision: The hearing officer’s recommendation and Radford’s remarks were part of the deliberation; the formal action on the table was a motion to approve the resolution to grant the special use, which failed on a roll-call vote. No alternate formal direction to staff or conditions were adopted.
What happens next: The board did not approve the special use. The zoning hearing officer’s recommended conditions remain advisory; any future petition or appeal would require a new filing or a different motion by the board.
","The Lee County Board voted down a motion to approve a special-use permit to allow skilled trades at 582 U.S. Route 52 in Sublette Township after the zoning hearing officer recommended denial; the property owner spoke during public comment, objecting to the process.","actionData","errors"]

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Lee County board moves several zoning and subdivision petitions forward; church special-use approved

Lee County board rejects special-use permit for skilled-trades operation at 582 U.S. 52