Committee recommends approval of Winter Hill Lot 9 split despite neighbor objections

The Grundy County Land Use Committee voted March 25 to recommend that the full County Board approve petition 26ZVA002, a request to split Lot 9 in Winter Hill Subdivision (a 5.94‑acre parcel) into two residential lots of about 2.904 and 3.00 acres, respectively.

Terry Obert, who identified himself as a neighbor living directly across the street from the subject parcel, asked the committee to reject the application and listed multiple documents he said were absent from the packet. "The agenda package does not contain the following items and documents," Obert said, naming the 1992 subdivision deed, plat restrictions, Illinois plat‑act documents, UDO compliance reports, stormwater engineering paperwork referencing IDOT subdivision review, and a Goose Lake Township road commissioner's report. "I respectfully request the application be rejected based on the lack of necessary application documents," he said.

County planning staff responded that the application was complete for the requested split and that Spaceco, the county's review engineer, supplied a March 11 letter finding the stormwater management submission compliant. "I have the March 11 letter from Spaceco Engineering saying that it does," the planner said when asked about stormwater compliance. Staff also said IDNR reviewed the site and closed its inquiry and that notices were sent to relevant township and emergency‑service officials; staff acknowledged they had not received a report from the Goose Lake Township road commissioner.

Tim Haney of Chamblin & Associates, representing the owner, told the committee the proposed lots meet current zoning and that the smaller lot is still substantially larger than the minimum required size. "We're not creating a high‑density area of multiple homes," Haney said. He added that the project will comply with health‑department requirements for wells and septic and that the owner will coordinate driveway access with the township highway commissioner.

Committee members pressed staff on potential conflicts between the state plat/plan act and the local subdivision code and asked staff to confirm outstanding agency responses before the full‑board vote. Some members said historical records, including assessor files and recorded final plats, show prior splits in the subdivision that make the proposed configuration consistent with surrounding lots.

After debate, a motion to recommend approval to the full County Board was made and seconded. The committee approved the recommendation with one recorded opposition (Georgette). The recommendation will be forwarded to the full County Board for final action on April 14, 2026.

What happens next

Because the committee's action was a recommendation, the full County Board will consider the petition on the April 14 agenda. Staff told the committee there is time before that meeting to follow up with agencies and provide additional documentation if needed.