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Planning staff report: Colfax residential facility, Denmark Dairy expansion, housing terminology and staffing updates
Summary
Planning staff briefed the committee on several items: a proposed community-based residential facility in Colfax that would require rezoning and a conditional-use permit, a livestock facility expansion (Denmark Dairy) under DNR review, changes in housing terminology and the posting of a vacant survey technician position.
Planning staff updated the committee on several pending projects and internal items, including a concept for a small community-based residential facility in the Town of Colfax, a pending livestock expansion, housing terminology guidance from a recent industry workshop and recruitment for a vacant survey technician position.
Tammy, planning staff, said a conceptual proposal for a community-based residential facility (CBRF), a term used for facilities such as assisted-living residences, is in the early stages and would require rezoning and a conditional-use permit if it proceeds. "They're looking around 10" beds, Tammy said; the county's rules allow operations with eight or fewer residents to operate under certain permits but facilities with more than eight require a conditional-use process.
Tammy also said the county received an application for a livestock-facility expansion in the Town of Tainter (referred to as Denmark Dairy). The expansion is being coordinated with the Wisconsin DNR's livestock-siting process. Tammy told the committee the county's authority to impose conditions on large livestock operations is limited when applicants meet the DNR's worksheet requirements (air quality, groundwater, nutrient management) set by state statute.
Staff highlighted a housing-workgroup field visit to Triple Falls and said the group will update county materials to prefer modern terminology such as "manufactured home" instead of "mobile home," and to use terms like "modular" or "cross-mod" when appropriate. Planning staff said a public survey tied to the comprehensive-plan update went live March 10 and will remain open through April 7, and asked committee members to help publicize it.
Staff reported internal items: a survey technician position that has been vacant since December was posted with four applicants to date, and re-monumentation and boundary work continue countywide, year-round. Staff also noted ongoing work by the Register of Deeds office monitoring proposed state legislation on access to historic vital records.
Committee members asked clarifying questions about bed count thresholds for CBRFs, the DNR review process for livestock expansions, and the re-monumentation schedule. Tammy said staff will return with formal applications and permit hearings when projects reach the public-review stage.
