Committee begins ordinance rewrite to align shoreland rules with DNR model language

Planning staff told the Polk County Planning and Zoning Committee they will begin a multi‑month ordinance rewrite to harmonize Polk County shoreland rules with the Wisconsin DNR model shoreland ordinance. Staff identified several sections for review and possible revision, including definitions (retaining walls, transient lodge, bunkhouse size), boathouse and boathouse‑slope limits, reduced setback averaging, one‑sided averaging options, exempt structures, and filling and grading criteria.

Staff said the model ordinance language may be clearer in several spots and proposed adopting model definitions to reduce contradictory interpretation. "You can't prevent boathouses, per state, law, but you can have areas of your ordinance that prohibit, like, a structure being on over a x amount of slope," staff said while explaining where local ordinance language differs from the model. The planning department noted a pending appeal tied to a retaining‑wall definition and said clarifying that language is a priority.

Committee members asked staff to compile comparative language from other counties, to quantify bunkhouse size standards, and to return with recommended draft language at upcoming meetings so the committee can focus on precise edits during December–February. The committee also requested staff supply related exhibits (current ordinance text, model ordinance excerpts and any pending appeals) when the item returns for detailed drafting.