The LaSalle County Zoning Board of Appeals on Aug. 20 voted to recommend that the County Board approve petition 25-17, a special-use request by Gregory and Beth Ninkovich to allow a lot split for parcels smaller than 35 acres in the A-1 agricultural district at 3721 East 2150th Road, Serena Township. The petitioners said the split would create a roughly 2.5-acre lot for sale of the existing two-story house and retain about 3.5 acres for a new single-story, wheelchair-accessible home for the petitioners.

Why it matters: The record shows a standard residential lot split in an agricultural zone tied to an aging homeowners’ desire to reduce stairs and install accessibility features; staff confirmed the application met the zoning standards and no adjacent landowners filed objections.

Key facts
- Petitioner Gregory Thomas Ninkovich told the board: “What our intentions are is to build a single story residence.” He added the project will include 36-inch doors and other handicap-accessible features.
- All required notices were mailed and published and the land-use director reported no additional correspondence or testimony had been received.
- County staff said the application met the LaSalle County Zoning Ordinance standards for a special use; the board completed a standard findings-of-fact review and unanimously voted to recommend approval.

Process and next steps
The board voted to recommend approval and the item is scheduled for the County Board on Sept. 8, 2025. If the County Board approves the special use, the petitioners will proceed to standard permitting work (surveys, septic/well approval and building permits) before construction.

What remains to be done
The petitioner acknowledged he has not yet applied to the health department for septic or well approvals and said he would comply with all rules and regulations if the special use is approved. County staff will verify compliance with septic/well requirements during the permit review process.