County board approves series of zoning map amendments after separation and debate; one parcel vote recorded 20-7-1

The Jefferson County Board of Supervisors voted to amend the county's official zoning map, approving a set of petitions that had been reviewed by the Planning and Zoning Committee.

Supervisor Jayco presented the Planning and Zoning Committee's report, saying the petitions had been considered at required public hearings and that the committee recommended approval. The committee report and staff analysis were included in the board packet. The ordinance language states the petitions were evaluated under the rezoning standards set forth in the Wisconsin statutes (the presentation cited "statute 91 48").

During floor debate, supervisors moved to separate one parcel on County Road B in the Town of Concord from the aggregate vote for individual consideration. Following discussion, Supervisor Christiansen moved to postpone and send the separated question back to the zoning committee to allow the Concord Town Board to meet on the question; that motion carried on a voice vote. Later in the meeting the board entertained and moved to approve the rezone for the separated boathouse parcel; the recorded roll-call for that vote was 20 yes, 7 no, 1 abstain and 2 absent.

Corporation counsel advised the board that the matter had been remanded by the Court of Appeals to address an error in the Planning and Zoning Committee's findings; counsel said the committee had since made the findings required by the court and that the board was required to judge the petition under the comprehensive plan that existed when the petition was filed (the counsel said that plan dated to November 2021). The zoning committee chair added that the Court of Appeals did not direct the board to "rehash" the entirety of the question and that the committee's review had addressed the court's concerns.

Several supervisors opposing the rezone urged preservation of agricultural land, with one supervisor citing 2015 aerial photography and arguing the parcel remained viable farmland. Another supervisor said the property owners deserved a decision and warned against repeatedly reopening the case. Supervisor Kennard indicated a potential conflict of interest and later abstained from the roll-call vote on the separated parcel due to prior involvement as the surveyor on that property.

After completing the separate roll-call vote, the board approved the remainder of the ordinance by voice vote. The packet lists staff reports and the zoning committee decision across multiple pages and records the planning committee's Jan. 30, 2025 recommendation to forward the petitions to the board.