Winnebago County board delays shoreland zoning implementation to July 1 after dispute over town readiness

The Winnebago County Board voted to change the effective date of its shoreland‑zoning ordinance, approving a postponement to July 1, 2026, after supervisors and municipal officials raised mixed concerns about whether several towns were ready to complete required paperwork and whether the county’s approach complied with state law.

Supporters of the delay said towns needed more breathing room to complete maps, hold required hearings and adopt the procedures required for local general zoning in shoreland areas. Supervisor 27 (who led the push for the postponement) said he had contacted town chairs and most favored a limited extension so that towns would not be ‘‘left behind’’ in the transition.

Opponents, including Supervisor Howard Miller, argued the county had already approved townwide general zoning for several towns and that the county’s legal position was defensible. Miller cited prior town ordinances dating back decades and told the board the county should not appear to be harassing towns by indefinitely delaying implementation.

The corporation counsel addressed differences in legal interpretation, telling the board that shoreland statute is not black‑and‑white and that if the county board extended the timeline it likely would not bar a town from pursuing its own statutory withdrawal later. The counsel also advised that if towns wish to withdraw from county zoning, they must follow state statute procedures.

On the motion to change the effective date, the board voted in favor by roll call, 26–7. The board also sent three mandatory town ordinance reports (for Winnekani, Utica, and Black Wolf) back to the planning and zoning committee for additional work to align the language with statutory withdrawal procedures.

What it means: The delay gives towns additional time to complete administrative steps tied to the new shoreland code. The planning and zoning committee will return revised language to the board; supervisors warned that unresolved legal disagreement could lead to further friction with the towns or—if litigated—court clarification.

Quote: “The towns have been waiting long enough for this… the new Shoreland zoning code was passed last October and it needs to be implemented now,” — Supervisor Howard Miller (opposed to extension)

Quote: “Giving a few more months might help those towns,” — Corporation Counsel (explaining why an extension may be warranted)