Owners and supervisors back proposed no-parking changes on road near 1917 Lake Wasota; first reading set

Owners of the property at 1917 Lake Wasota told the Chippewa County Board they support the county highway committee’s revised no-parking proposal, which was presented for a first reading as Ordinance 8-25.

"We, the owners of 1917, are in favor of the proposal that you'll see tonight," resident Darren Senn said, thanking the highway committee and Supervisor Jason Bergeron for their work on the plan. Jason Darley, speaking separately, echoed that support and said the changes should improve safety and preserve access for customers.

A county staff presentation described the map revisions: blue-shaded segments would be converted to no-parking to improve sight lines near driveways; green triangles mark intersection clearances that would duplicate an existing zoning provision; the red segment shown on the map would be opened to add roughly 560 feet of additional parking. The presenter said the recommendation grew out of meetings with property owners and the highway committee.

The item was given a first reading; supervisors debated sight-line and driveway-visibility concerns and asked about speed limits and DOT processes. One supervisor noted the DOT will not support a speed limit reduction without more extensive street modifications such as gutters and sidewalks. No vote was taken on Ordinance 8-25 at this meeting; the item will return for a second reading later.

Board members praised the collaborative process among the highway committee, staff and property owners as an example of local cooperation. Because this was a first reading, no final action was taken.

The public comment in favor of the proposal and the staff map will be part of the second-reading packet when the ordinance returns to the board.