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Staff previews comprehensive plan update, farmland preservation certification and mapping improvements
Summary
Zoning staff said comprehensive plan updates and map amendments passed and that farmland preservation certification for the town of Douglas is approved through Dec. 2028; staff previewed new aerial imagery, a mapping demo and reported 36 accessory-structure permits issued for Emrick Lake Campground in October with more outstanding.
Zoning staff on Nov. 6 gave the committee a detailed status report on comprehensive planning, farmland preservation certification, mapping improvements and permitting activity.
Jean said that after the full-board approvals earlier this year the final public notice will enact ordinance language on Nov. 13 and that she received confirmation the text and map amendment for the town of Douglas was approved for farmland preservation, effective through Dec. 2028. "The grant that we received from Farmland Preservation through the Department of Agriculture for the $30,000 that's secured through December 2027," she said, and added that the county now has time to do the comprehensive plan work over 2026 and into 2027.
Jean demonstrated the county's internal map viewer using 2020 aerial imagery to show how layered views (floodplain, wetlands) inform zoning decisions and said new aerials will improve parcel clarity. Staff said they are working with Megan and Alex on a public-facing map hub but that the final public interface is still in development.
On permitting, Jean said the Emrick Lake Campground has required many accessory-structure permits; staff issued 36 permits in October and have 47 still to track down, generating roughly $2,700 to date with more than $3,500 outstanding.
Staff said they expect the comprehensive-plan work to be the bulk of their effort next year and will bring maps and revised language to townships and then the county board for approval.
