Adams County planning panel approves Verizon tower, clears multiple rezones and a final plat; several items go to full county board

The Adams County Planning & Zoning Committee approved a conditional-use request for a new cell tower and voted to forward multiple rezoning requests and a final plat to the full county board following its September planning and zoning meeting.

The committee approved a conditional-use permit to allow a cell tower on land described as the Southeast Southwest Quarter of Section 15, Town 15 North, Range 6 East (Parcel 32-609), near Highway 82 in the town of Springville. Brad Whitmer of Raymaker & Associates, representing the tower applicant and citing requests from Verizon, said the carrier “contacted us and asked us to find them coverage” because “there was no existing tower that was able to fulfill their network needs” in that area. The committee voted to approve the request by motion of Jerry, seconded by Larry; the roll-call vote was recorded as unanimous. County staff said the Wisconsin Department of Transportation approved the driveway permit application for the project and that the town of Springville did not object. The committee was told the item does not need to go before the full county board.

The committee also considered and approved several rezoning requests and a final plat. The committee’s actions, and whether the item must be forwarded to the full board, are summarized below.

Jennifer Winter / Deanna (Diana) Palak — rezone (R-3 to A-3) at 2926 13th Ave., town of Easton: County staff said the property owner at the time of application was Jennifer Winter and that Deanna Palak later purchased the parcel; the town clerk of Easton recorded a motion to approve at the local level. The committee moved to approve (Don moved; Bruce second), and the vote carried. Staff stated this item will go before the full county board on Sept. 16 at 6 p.m.

Daniela Samborski — rezone (A-3 to B-1) in part of Government Lot 10, town of Del Prairie: The applicant told the committee a buyer conditioned purchase on rezoning so the buyer could build a mini-warehouse (storage) unit. Town of Del Prairie did not object at its August meeting. The committee approved the rezone by motion (Jerry moved; Don second). Staff noted the applicant must obtain any necessary driveway permit from the Department of Transportation before constructing an access.

Timmy Hintz — rezone (A-135 exclusive-ag to A-3 secondary-ag) in part S½ NW¼ Section 17, town of Easton (Parcel 10-412-10): Staff explained the A-135 zoning requires a 35-acre minimum lot size while A-3 allows a 5-acre minimum; a concept site plan showing a potential land division was provided. The town of Houston did not object (with approval of the land division). The committee approved the rezone (Bruce moved; Larry second). Staff said this item will be forwarded to the full county board on Sept. 16 at 6 p.m.

Jason Strady (buyer) — rezone/amendment for 4129 Ninth Ave., town of Del Prairie: The applicant sought to rezone from A-3 to R-1 single-family and, after committee discussion, an amendment was moved to change the application to R-1 large-lot (2-acre minimum). The committee first voted to amend to R-1 large-lot (Jerry moved; Don second) and then approved the amended request (motioned and seconded; roll-call approval). Staff said this item will be before the full county board on Sept. 16 at 6 p.m.

Susan Fuller & Roger Hamer — rezone (R-1 to A-3) in the town of New Chester (approx. 7 acres, address listed as 2781): The applicants said horses have been kept on the property for 25 years and that they want the zoning to reflect that use. A neighbor-provided petition with roughly 45 signatures in support was submitted to staff and read into the record by a nearby resident, Michelle Goll. The committee approved the rezone (Don moved; Jerry second). Roll-call voting recorded one “no” vote (Barood) and otherwise passed; staff said the item will be scheduled for the full county board on Sept. 16 at 6 p.m.

Final plat: County staff recommended final approval pending one minor surveyor change; the committee moved to approve the final plat subject to that correction (Jerry moved; Larry second) and the roll call was recorded in the affirmative.

Votes at a glance

- Conditional use — Weigel/Towers Inc. (cell tower, Springville): Motion to approve (Jerry; Larry second) — outcome: approved (unanimous); does not require full board. - Rezone — Jennifer Winter / Deanna Palak (R-3 → A-3; 2926 13th Ave., Easton): Motion to approve (Don; Bruce second) — outcome: approved; forwarded to full county board Sept. 16, 6 p.m. - Rezone — Daniela Samborski (A-3 → B-1; Del Prairie): Motion to approve (Jerry; Don second) — outcome: approved; forwarded to full county board Sept. 16, 6 p.m. - Rezone — Timmy Hintz (A-135 → A-3; Easton): Motion to approve (Bruce; Larry second) — outcome: approved; forwarded to full county board Sept. 16, 6 p.m. - Rezone amendment & approval — Jason Strady (A-3 → amended to R-1 large-lot; Del Prairie): Motion to amend (Jerry; Don second) — outcome: amendment approved; motion to approve amended request — outcome: approved; forwarded to full county board Sept. 16, 6 p.m. - Rezone — Susan Fuller & Roger Hamer (R-1 → A-3; New Chester): Motion to approve (Don; Jerry second) — outcome: approved (vote recorded with one no); forwarded to full county board Sept. 16, 6 p.m. - Final plat: Motion to approve (Jerry; Larry second) — outcome: approved pending minor surveyor correction.

Why it matters

The committee’s approvals change permitted land uses and, in several cases, reduce minimum lot sizes or permit commercial uses (mini-warehouse), which can enable property transfers, new construction and changes in land management across multiple towns in Adams County. Several items require final action by the county board, providing another public meeting opportunity for residents and board members to review the proposals.

What’s next

Staff told the committee those items requiring county-board review will appear on the Adams County Board agenda for Sept. 16 at 6 p.m. The county will handle any outstanding permitting (for example, DOT driveway permits) before development can proceed.