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Commissioners table proposed change to county fence‑in‑right‑of‑way policy pending further information
Summary
The board discussed lowering the county's typical right‑of‑way fence setback from 60 feet to a 34‑foot minimum but voted to table the policy change until the next meeting to gather more information from DOT and staff.
Dunn County commissioners debated whether to change the county’s long‑standing practice on where landowners may place fences relative to county road right‑of‑way. Several commissioners and landowners urged allowing fences closer to the section line — a 34‑foot minimum was proposed — to reduce the amount of land removed from productive grazing and make right‑of‑way negotiations easier.
Engineering and road staff cautioned that federal‑aid routes and state requirements can impose different obligations; county engineering staff said Federal Highway or state DOT rules for certain federally aided routes may require rights‑of‑way to be kept clear. Commissioners asked staff to obtain written guidance from the state DOT on how changing the local policy would affect current and prospective projects, particularly those receiving federal aid.
After discussion, the chair moved to table the fencing policy decision until the next meeting to allow staff to gather additional information; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote.
Ending: Commissioners asked the engineering team to return with guidance from the DOT and an assessment of how a change would affect projects already in the pipeline.
