LaSalle County issues 367 building permits in year; Ossa Grove Flats wind permits and electronic-recycling law noted

LaSalle County staff reported on Jan. 7 that the county issued 367 building permits in the past year, a figure slightly above the county—s 10-year average, with a December tally of 13 permits including two single-family homes.

Brian told the Land Use Committee that 37 wind-turbine permits were issued in association with the Ossa Grove Flats Wind Farm project and that the county also processed five commercial solar permits. He said residential solar helped bolster permit totals for the year but predicted permit counts may fall after the New Year.

On inspections, Brian said the county had six non-EPA inspections in the latest period (two zoning violations opened, one closed) and seven IEPA inspections (0 new complaints, three reinspections and four permitted-site inspections). Members asked whether SafeBuilt inspection output could be included in monthly reports; Brian agreed to explore obtaining a quarterly or printable inspection report from SafeBuilt.

Brian also told members the clerk's office received an EPA notice requesting an annual report and an updated solid-waste management plan; he has contacted EPA to confirm whether an annual review is required and will report back next month. Committee members discussed House Bill 3,098 (the transcript also refers to this as Public Act 10402 74), which updates electronics-recycling standards and adds education and consumer-awareness requirements for e-waste collection events; Brian said he will assess whether the law affects county-coordinated events.

The committee approved routine bills, placed departmental reports on file and scheduled staff follow-ups on inspection reporting, EPA solid-waste plan questions and the potential impacts of the electronics-recycling law.

No votes on ordinances or permits were taken at the meeting.