Marathon County ERC recommends multiple rezones, approves final plat

The Marathon County Environmental Resources Committee on Sept. 30 recommended approval of several rezoning petitions and approved a final subdivision plat, forwarding most items to the County Board for final action.

Committee members voted to recommend approval of rezoning petitions that would change land from general agriculture or farmland preservation to rural residential, rural estate or general agriculture in the towns of Knowlton, McMillan and others. The committee also recommended approval of a package of 234 parcels in the towns of Brighton, Eau Pleine, Hull and Marathon to align the county zoning map with the county farmland preservation plan.

The committee followed staff reports and town resolutions when voting. Garrett Poggle, Marathon County land use specialist, presented staff reports that said the petitions met zoning standards for size, frontage, access and dimensions and were consistent with applicable town comprehensive plans. Shad Harvey, Marathon County land resources manager, explained that the 234-parcel package resulted from a 2024 farmland-preservation plan update and was intended to make county zoning consistent with Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) requirements.

During public comment, petitioner Ronald Hahn said he supported his rezone request. Dean Beck, Town of Easton chairman, spoke during public comment about separate county agenda items, urging caution on proposed animal-waste ordinance changes. Kevin Jean Schmiedke of Riverrun Dairy said he initially opposed proposed manure rules but after participation in a farm work group he supported the changes. David Falkalski (petitioner for Roam Properties LLC) appeared remotely to state his availability to answer questions about his petition.

Specific committee actions included: the rezone of land for Ronald Hahn (Town of Knowlton) — motion made by Supervisor Seefeldt, seconded by Supervisor Curt; motion carried; the rezone petition for Roam/Roam-sited property in the Town of McMillan (Rome/Roam Properties LLC) — motion made by Supervisor Drebeck, seconded by Supervisor Schonborn; motion carried; a petition by the Franciscan Association of Divine Mercy Inc. to rezone farmland preservation to rural estate and general agriculture in the Town of McMillan — motion made by Supervisor Schonborn, seconded by Supervisor Drabek; motion carried. The committee also moved to recommend approval of the 234-parcel package (Shad Harvey petition) and forwarded it to the County Board after a motion by Supervisor Seefeldt and a second by Supervisor Drebeck; motion carried. The committee approved the Bauer Second Addition final plat in the Town of Spencer after a staff presentation and a motion by Supervisor Seefeldt.

Most votes were taken by voice with the chairman asking "All in favor, say aye." The committee record shows motions carried; the meeting transcript does not include a roll-call tally for each vote. Where towns held their own hearings and recommended action to the county committee, the committee relied on those town resolutions in its deliberations.

The committee noted that many rezones recommended to the county board are expected to require corresponding updates to town comprehensive plans if the County Board approves the changes. Shad Harvey advised that if County Board approval follows, affected towns should update their comprehensive plans to reflect the zoning changes.

The committee moved quickly through many items; several petitions were postponed or handled at the town level before coming to the committee. The committee closed the public hearings after calling for those in favor, opposed and interested; no extended public opposition was recorded in the transcript for the items decided on Sept. 30.

Votes at a glance - Item 5(a)(1): Ronald Hahn (GA to RR, Town of Knowlton) — motion to recommend approval made by Supervisor Seefeldt; second by Supervisor Curt; outcome: motion carried (recommended to County Board). - Item 5(a)(2): David Kilty on behalf of Pam Kilty (GA to RR, Town of Spencer) — postponed to next meeting on motion of Supervisor Drebeck. - Item 5(a)(3): Roam Properties LLC (FP/GA to GA, Town of McMillan) — motion to recommend approval made by Supervisor Drebeck; second by Supervisor Schonborn; outcome: motion carried (recommended to County Board). - Item 5(a)(4): Franciscan Association of Divine Mercy Inc. (FP to RE and GA, Town of McMillan) — motion to recommend approval made by Supervisor Schonborn; second by Supervisor Drabek; outcome: motion carried (recommended to County Board). - Item 5(a)(5): County-initiated package (234 parcels in towns of Brighton, Eau Pleine, Hall and Marathon) to align zoning with the county farmland-preservation plan — motion to recommend approval made by Supervisor Seefeldt; second by Supervisor Drebeck; outcome: motion carried (recommended to County Board). - Item 5(b)(1): Town of Texas proposed ordinance changes (town-handled amendments relating to wind/solar, animal units and definitions) — motion to approve forwarded by Supervisor Kroll; outcome: motion carried. - Item 5(b)(2): Town-level rezone for Douglas and Bernadine Wilke (RS to C-1) — motion by Supervisor Seefeldt; second by Supervisor Schonborn; outcome: motion carried. - Item 5(d)(1): Bauer Second Addition final plat, Town of Spencer — motion to approve by Supervisor Seefeldt; second by Supervisor Drabek; outcome: motion carried.

What it means These recommendations will go to the Marathon County Board of Supervisors for final action. Staff repeatedly advised that towns update comprehensive plans where necessary if the County Board approves the rezones. The county committee emphasized it was applying zoning standards and town recommendations when making decisions.

Reporter note: The committee took voice votes and the transcript does not list individual vote tallies for each supervisor; motions are recorded with maker and seconder where given.