Zoning board recommends approval for 10-acre Otter Creek lot for farm expansion

The LaSalle County Zoning Board of Appeals recommended that the County Board approve a special-use petition (25-01) allowing petitioner Oz Mahalek to acquire a roughly 10-acre parcel in Otter Creek Township to expand his grain and beef operation.

Brian Gift summarized the application, saying the lot is under 35 acres in the A-1 district at 2054 North 17th Road and notices were published Dec. 28 and mailed to adjoining owners Dec. 23. Mahalek told the board he currently lives in the house on the parcel he is buying and plans to purchase the house plus additional acreage to build a machine shed and cattle barn for his operation. “I’m currently purchasing the house along with a few acres to build machine shed for equipment ... along with cattle barn,” Mahalek said.

Board members asked staff and the petitioner questions about road frontage, parcel lines and acreage; Mahalek said the purchase would include the house and about seven additional acres beyond the three-acre homestead. County staff reported no written public comments were received and no public testimony opposed the request.

After completing the required findings under the LaSalle County Zoning Ordinance (Section 14.10-5), the board moved to recommend approval. The roll-call vote recorded affirmative votes and the chair said the motion passed. Brian Gift said the petition will be presented to the LaSalle County Board on Feb. 13 for final action.

The board did not list additional conditions beyond the required findings; staff said there were no documented objections filed with the land-use office prior to the hearing.