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County staff report unanimous zoning recommendation to rezone White River Park to P‑1; trail MOU and revenues under review
Summary
Staff said township and zoning committees voted to rezone White River Park’s northern parcel to P‑1, and DNR’s 2003 trail MOU is being updated because trail pass revenue and kiosk use have declined significantly; staff sought clearer revenue and repair/improvement terms in the updated MOU.
Walworth County parks staff told the Park Committee on May 19 they obtained unanimous support at the county zoning committee to rezone the northern portion of White River Park to P‑1, aligning the entire park under a public use zoning classification and clearing the way for phased development such as a dog park.
Staff recounted three local hearings: a township planning session where residents proposed conditions, a township board meeting that reversed some conditional language, and a county zoning meeting that produced a unanimous favorable vote. Staff said conditions suggested by neighbors — posted dog rules, limits on dogs per acre, and signage clarifying boundaries — were “common sense” items staff would adopt regardless of rezoning, but staff objected to residents imposing binding conditions on the county via the zoning process.
Staff also reported they are renegotiating an older DNR trail memorandum of understanding originally drafted in February 2003. The parks representative told DNR staff the MOU language is outdated: trail‑pass kiosk revenue that once generated about $15,000 a year is now below $4,000 and reportedly at $500 this year because automation has reduced kiosk sales and kiosks were subject to theft. Staff said the updated MOU should clarify revenue sharing and distinguish repairs from improvements so the county has a more sustainable funding structure if it continues to maintain a DNR‑owned trail.
Neighbors’ recurring concerns — hunting rules, trespass, off‑leash dogs and litter — were described in the staff report. Staff said some enforcement steps are limited because hunting rules are set by DNR and that residents should call sheriff’s deputies about trespass. Staff also noted the sheriff’s office has requested consideration of camera placement as part of a phase 2 security project.
Rezoning now awaits final action at the county board; staff said the zoning committee’s unanimous vote positions the matter for consideration at upcoming board meetings.
