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Committee discusses enforcement of land-use violations, home burials, UDC inspector contract and county participation in multijurisdictional well-testing grant
Summary
Committee members reviewed recent land-use violation letters, possible future rules on long-term camper residences and home burials, the pending end-of-year departure of a Uniform Dwelling Code inspector contract, and an EPA-backed well-testing grant covering multiple counties.
The Richland County Natural Resources Committee discussed several operational issues including land-use enforcement, potential rules for long-term camper residences, private-home burials, the county’s contract for Uniform Dwelling Code (UDC) inspections and a multi-county well-testing grant.
Staff reported issuing eight violation letters in late July addressing issues such as campers used as residences, dog kennel complaints and junk accumulations. Staff said they follow a process: send a violation letter with a timeline, then refer unresolved cases to the county attorney (named Wendell) for citations. The committee discussed a recurring property with campers and a screened porch that may require variance or further action, and staff said the item could come before the board of adjustments.
Members also discussed whether to allow long-term parking of campers used as residences; staff said some neighboring counties permit such arrangements if adequate sanitary systems are installed, and the county’s zoning ordinance review will address whether to allow long-term camper residences under defined conditions.
The committee discussed private home burials. Staff said the state imposes no specific prohibition, but the county lacks ordinance language to regulate private burials on family property; topics to resolve include marking, deed recording and allowable burial practices (for example, restrictions on embalmed burials or casket types). Staff said they would research options and consult with town clerks and chairs as part of the broader zoning review.
On Uniform Dwelling Code inspections, staff said the county’s UDC contract inspector, Mike Reeder of Platteville, is ending his contract at the end of the year. The land-use office has historically forwarded inspection requests to the contractor at no county cost (the landowner pays the inspection fee). Staff will solicit township input on future arrangements and may propose changes to how UDC inspections are administered.
Finally, staff said an EPA grant application with Crawford Stewardship Project was approved to expand well testing across multiple counties; staff said the project would test roughly 300 wells in a multi-county effort, though the grant’s administration and testing timeline remain to be finalized.
Speakers named or referenced included Attorney Wendell (legal referrals), Mike Reeder (UDC contractor) and staff members who described the enforcement process and the well-testing grant. The committee did not take formal policy votes on these items but directed staff to continue research and return with recommended ordinance language or administrative options as appropriate.
