Board of Adjustment finds no hardship, denies variance to allow holding tank for Rockland Dairy site

The Sheboygan County Board of Adjustment on April 15 denied a variance request (Case No. V-26-01-S) that would have allowed a holding tank to replace a failed private sewage system for a residence on parcel #59028426500 in the Town of Sherman. Chairperson Ed Harvey opened the public hearing and staff and the petitioner presented technical evidence before the board voted on the ordinance criteria.

Why it matters: Sheboygan County’s sanitary ordinance generally prohibits holding tanks for residences; staff said the county enforces that policy because holding tanks require frequent pumping and strict oversight, and the state recently revoked a pre‑treatment product that had previously enabled some alternative systems to function.

How the hearing unfolded: Howie Mitchell of Schwartz Septic, representing the petitioner, said tests of the household’s wastewater showed a ‘‘high strength of…