Stephenson County Board approves three special-use permits, including dog-boarding facility

The Stephenson County Board unanimously approved three special-use permits recommended by the county Zoning Board of Appeals on zoning matters that drew limited public objection.

Director Williams, presenting the Zoning Board’s findings, said the first case involved Michael Callos seeking a special-use permit to construct a single-family dwelling in an agricultural district at 9251 West Cedarville Road in Lena; the ZBA recommended approval subject to completion of a perk/soil test to confirm septic siting. "Testimony was received and neighboring property representative raised a concern," Williams said, noting the condition tied to the perk test.

The board then approved Jenny Lingle’s request for a special use to operate a dog boarding, day care and grooming facility at 9350 North Unity Road in Winslow after hearing one objection about parking; Director Williams said the applicant and the adjacent landowner planned to coordinate on overflow parking and contact procedures. "One adjacent land owner was concerned of the parking," Williams said. The board voted to approve the ZBA recommendation.

The final zoning item, a special-use permit for Kyler and Dana Miras to build a single-family dwelling at 8706 East Ryedot Road in Ryedot, drew no objections and the ZBA recommended approval, which the board accepted.

Why it matters: Special-use permits change the allowed uses on specific rural properties and can set conditions—such as requiring a successful perk test—to protect neighboring land and waterways. The ZBA’s recommendations and the county board’s approvals set the permitting conditions that will govern how each property may be developed.

Next steps: Each permit is subject to the conditions the ZBA and board set (for example, the perk test for the Callos site). Applicants will be expected to meet permitting and county building requirements before construction or business operations begin.