Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Zoning Home Occupation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Oneida County board upholds home-occupation permit after neighbor appeal
Summary
The Oneida County Board of Adjustment voted 3-1 on May 14 to uphold a home-occupation permit for David Hermes at 8284 Wildwood Drive in the Town of Minocqua after neighbors raised concerns about traffic, noise and cameras; county staff said the permit was issued in accordance with the ordinance.
The Oneida County Board of Adjustment voted 3-1 on May 14 to uphold a county-issued home-occupation permit for property owner David Hermes at 8284 Wildwood Drive in the Town of Minocqua, rejecting an appeal from neighbor William W. Bennewitz.
Appellant William Bennewitz told the board the activity at 8284 Wildwood Drive does not meet the standards for a permitted home occupation and described the permit application as inconsistent, incomplete and misleading. Multiple neighboring property owners testified they had experienced increased traffic, noise and equipment storage that, they said, was incompatible with single-family residential zoning.
The hearing included testimony from the property owner, county planning staff and neighbors. David Hermes, the property owner, described his work as caretaker services for other property owners and said some images from game cameras show personal equipment rather than business inventory. "When caretaking local properties, I drive my riding lawnmower to the properties to lessen the traffic on Wildwood Drive," Hermes said in his testimony, and he submitted survey responses from several neighbors reporting their assessment of the business's impact.
Karl Jennrich, director of the county Planning and Zoning Department, told the board the department applied the county standards when issuing the home-occupation permit and that enforcement action had been taken when complaints were received. Scott Ridderbusch, land use specialist, explained revisions or whiteout seen on the submitted home-occupation application form. Neighbor Lorri Deal stated, "the road is a public road that is there for the public’s use," and other neighbors raised concerns about cameras placed near the right-of-way.
After closing public testimony, the board discussed available options, including revocation or modification of the permit, and whether the permit had been issued in error. Member Jeff Verdoorn moved to uphold the county’s decision to issue the permit and to uphold it as written; Dan Chronister seconded the motion. The roll call vote was: Jeff Verdoorn, yes; Dan Chronister, yes; Mike Pazdernik, yes; Guy Hansen (chair), no. The motion carried.
The board held an onsite inspection at approximately 10:00 a.m. at the property before the hearing. The meeting adjourned at 2:15 p.m.
