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LaSalle County Zoning Board backs special-use parcel adjustment for local resident
Summary
The LaSalle County Zoning Board of Appeals recommended approval of a special-use petition by petitioner Brooks Ree of Bison Ballistic Holdings LLC to reassign about 5–6.5 acres from an A1 parcel to an adjacent house lot for pasture and a barn; the board found the application met Section 14.10-5 standards and will forward the recommendation to the county board on April 9.
On March 18, 2026, the LaSalle County Zoning Board of Appeals voted to recommend approval of a special-use petition that would reassign a strip of A1 land to an adjacent house parcel so the petitioner can establish pasture and build a barn.
Brian Gift, LaSalle County’s land use director, described the petition (Edition 26-05) as a land exchange affecting two nonconforming A1 parcels mapped at 1238 and 1254 North 2803rd Road in Ottawa Township and said notices went to adjoining property owners (mailed Feb. 25; published Feb. 28). Gift told the board that staff received a handful of phone inquiries and in-person attendees but no written objections.
The petitioner, who identified himself as Brooks Ree, told the board he is seeking to move roughly "six and a half acres" — part of which is shown on the map as 4.97 acres — off the larger A1 tract and attach it to the house parcel so he can keep two horses and erect a barn. "I'd like to take that off the range...put two horses on the pasture and put up a barn for the horses," Ree said during his presentation.
Board members asked about access, driveways and parcel numbering. Ree and staff clarified that the existing driveway access would remain and that the change is intended to reassign ownership of the pasture area to the house parcel rather than alter other owners’ access rights.
Gift confirmed there was no response from the municipal review authority and that no additional written testimony had been filed. He also stated, to his knowledge, that the application complies with the standards and conditions imposed by the LaSalle County zoning ordinance.
The board proceeded through the Section 14.10-5 checklist for special uses — considering harmony with the ordinance, effects on neighborhood character, fire and flood hazards, traffic, public expense, and general welfare — and each voting member present answered "yes" on the criteria called aloud by the chair.
Monte Whipple moved to recommend approval; Gary Blankenship seconded. The voting record as read aloud shows Whipple, Deb Lane, Larry Lewis, Tim Awesome, Gary Blankenship and Brad Seville voting yes and the motion passing. Gift said the petition will be presented to the LaSalle County Board on April 9.
There were no members of the public offering live comments on this petition, and staff reported no written public comments were received. The meeting concluded with a brief administrative report on prior hearings and adjournment; the board set its next meeting for April 15.
Votes at a glance Motion: Recommendation to county board to approve special-use petition (Edition 26-05) Mover: Monte Whipple Second: Gary Blankenship Vote (as announced): Whipple — yes; Lane — yes; Lewis — yes; Awesome — yes; Blankenship — yes; Seville — yes Outcome: Recommendation approved; scheduled for presentation to the county board on April 9.
What happens next The county board will consider the ZBA’s recommendation at its April 9 meeting. The ZBA’s recommendation is advisory; final approval of any parcel reconfiguration and special use is subject to the county board’s decision and any required recording or platting procedures.
