Zoning board recommends approval of short-term rental at Vermillion Township farmhouse

LaSalle County Zoning Board of Appeals Chair Sandy Bullard on May 21 recommended that the County Board approve a special-use permit allowing short-term (under 30 days) guest accommodations at the existing house located at 1982 East 10 Fiftieth Road in Vermillion Township.

The board’s recommendation matters because the application was submitted after county staff identified an existing short-term rental operating without the required permit; board members found the application met the LaSalle County Zoning Ordinance standards for special uses and forwarded the petition to the County Board for final action on June 9.

Bridal, a county staff member, told the board the petition (25-11) requests guest accommodations at the existing residence owned by Doug Schiffbauer. Kirby Schiffower, speaking on behalf of his father, said the property would be used as a short-term rental “through Airbnb” and called it a way for the family to get “a little bit more income off the property.” He said the house is a part-time residence for his father and that bookings would be handled by a professional management company; maintenance would be handled by the family. Kirby Schiffower told the board the house has code-required septic and that accessibility work (additional railings) had been added.

Board members asked operational questions: the petitioner said the house would host up to six people at a time, that there is no sign at the road, and that a full exterior light is provided to assist parking and emergency responders. The petitioner said farming activity will continue on surrounding land and that guests are not allowed unsupervised near livestock. County staff confirmed notices were sent to adjoining property owners on May 1 and published in the newspaper on May 3; no written public responses or correspondence were received by staff.

Bridal told the board the application is in response to a zoning violation (the property had been rented without the special use) and that the applicant submitted the special-use petition to bring the use into compliance. Bridal also stated, in the board’s words, that the application as presented complies with standards and conditions imposed by the LaSalle County Zoning Ordinance (Section 14.1-5) for special uses. After completing findings of fact on the ordinance criteria, the board voted to recommend approval. Monty Whipple moved to recommend approval; a board member identified as Larry seconded the motion. Board members present voted in favor and the chair said the petition will be presented to the County Board on June 9 for final action.

The board heard no other public comment on the petition and received no written submissions. The board did not add special conditions beyond the ordinance standards noted by staff. The applicant was advised to coordinate with county staff on transient lodging/tourism tax (referred to in the hearing as the county’s “pillow tax”) and the county’s collection processes.

The County Board will take the final vote on the special-use permit at its meeting on June 9.