A temporary halt in construction at a controversial grain and corn elevator at a building site on Highway 151 outside Belmont was extended by 90 days by a Lafayette County Circuit Court Judge William Johnston.

State and county officials sought fines and the construction stoppage because, they charge, the new owners of a 13-acre parcel, Olsen Brothers Enterprises, began construction in May without proper storm water discharge permits and ignored orders to halt construction. The construction and plans for a commercial corn-drying and storage facility also drew the attention and opposition of Judy and Lenny Klein, owners of a nearby travel center.

Meanwhile, village of Belmont officials said Monday that the Olsens' parcel has been annexed and a conditional-use permit has been requested by the Olsen Brothers Enterprises for the "construction of facility for collection, storage, and distribution of grain products." What effect that will have on the county's court action against the Olsens was not known, as county officials were not available for comment.

The annexation was effective Aug. 8, the date the judge extended the halt on construction. A spokesman for the Olsen Brothers indicated two weeks ago they were also considering building a hog farm on the small parcel.

The Olsens are large-scale purchasers of corn in Wisconsin at several locations and are also part owners of ethanol-related businesses, which use the corn in its production processes.

A conditional-use permit from the village will be considered Monday, when the Planning Commission will make recommendations to the Village Board about permanent zoning classification and a sewer/utility connection for the parcel.

Peter McKeever, a lawyer for the Kleins, said they would request several conditions on the facility dealing with noise, dust, landscaping, hours of operation and other issues that would affect their business.

A large sign the Olsens erected on their building site — a sign the Kleins considered offensive and threatening — was removed before the hearing last week, McKeever said.

The Olsens submitted an improved erosion control plan and received DNR permits, according to DNR records, so the state's case remains open. The issue of penalties for violations in that state case has not been addressed.