Lee County rejects proposal for private club in Amboy

DIXON – The Lee County Board recently voted down a proposal for a private club in rural Amboy.

John Thanos was petitioning the county for a special use permit for a private social club on land he owns at 1074 Inlet Road in Lee Center Township, after he had built a 650 square-foot building during the pandemic for storage use and as a hangout.

He began the process to get a liquor license and realized he didn’t have the proper zoning for the land, which is zoned agricultural.

During the Lee County Zoning Board process, Thanos said the club wouldn’t be public; it would be for friends, family and guests, and it could also be used to raise money for local organizations like Teen Turf in Amboy and Depot Days.

Three neighbors – Gerlad Duve, Gail Dallam and Gordon Uhl – spoke out against the project with concerns about traffic, safety and trespassing. They also said it was not a good fit with the agricultural area.

The Zoning Board unanimously voted to give the petition an unfavorable recommendation, saying it would be spot rezoning in an agricultural area and that it conflicts with the county’s comprehensive plan.

The County Board followed the Zoning Board’s decision and voted it down in an 18-to-5 vote.


Rachel Rodgers

Rachel Rodgers

Rachel Rodgers joined Sauk Valley Media in 2016 covering local government in Dixon and Lee County.