Lee County planning commission waives LISA to let petitioner build near family property
April 06, 2026 | Lee County, Illinois
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The Lee County Regional Planning Commission on April 6 voted to recommend waiving a land evaluation score (LISA) so petitioner Amy Litzow can parcel a small lot from a roughly 13‑acre family property and build a home nearby.
The decision came after staff told the commission the parcel’s LISA was 273, above the county’s 224 threshold that normally makes land not buildable without an appeal. Zoning staff explained the county generally adopts LISA to protect prime farmland and asked commissioners to state specific reasons if they chose to waive it to avoid setting an indefensible precedent.
Amy Litzow, who said her parents have owned the property for about 25–26 years, told the commission she wants to parcel 2–4 acres so her family can continue hay and small‑scale animal uses (horses, goats) and keep a hobby‑farm lifestyle. “My kids have grown up all up there and we have had … we’ve wanted to be able to build over there,” she said.
Commissioners questioned utilities and site access. Staff said the Illinois Plat Act requires a new parcel to have its own driveway, so the proposed lot would need a separate driveway; the petitioner confirmed the new lot would have its own septic and well. Staff also said the existing septic at the parents’ house could not be shared.
During deliberations, staff and commissioners noted that the property’s location along Interstate 39 and the presence of an existing dwelling cluster made it different from isolated prime farmland. A commissioner moved to waive the LISA “based on location next to the interstate, location of current dwellings, [and] current and future agriculture activities.” The motion was seconded and the commission voted in favor to recommend the waiver.
The petitioner will coordinate with zoning staff on next steps for final permitting and recording. The commission’s action was a recommendation; any final permitting will follow county procedures and required administrative review.
The commission then proceeded with other agenda items and later adjourned.
The decision came after staff told the commission the parcel’s LISA was 273, above the county’s 224 threshold that normally makes land not buildable without an appeal. Zoning staff explained the county generally adopts LISA to protect prime farmland and asked commissioners to state specific reasons if they chose to waive it to avoid setting an indefensible precedent.
Amy Litzow, who said her parents have owned the property for about 25–26 years, told the commission she wants to parcel 2–4 acres so her family can continue hay and small‑scale animal uses (horses, goats) and keep a hobby‑farm lifestyle. “My kids have grown up all up there and we have had … we’ve wanted to be able to build over there,” she said.
Commissioners questioned utilities and site access. Staff said the Illinois Plat Act requires a new parcel to have its own driveway, so the proposed lot would need a separate driveway; the petitioner confirmed the new lot would have its own septic and well. Staff also said the existing septic at the parents’ house could not be shared.
During deliberations, staff and commissioners noted that the property’s location along Interstate 39 and the presence of an existing dwelling cluster made it different from isolated prime farmland. A commissioner moved to waive the LISA “based on location next to the interstate, location of current dwellings, [and] current and future agriculture activities.” The motion was seconded and the commission voted in favor to recommend the waiver.
The petitioner will coordinate with zoning staff on next steps for final permitting and recording. The commission’s action was a recommendation; any final permitting will follow county procedures and required administrative review.
The commission then proceeded with other agenda items and later adjourned.
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