Committee approves rezone to allow auto and marine detailing shop in Hayward

The Sawyer County Zoning Committee voted to approve rezone 24-9, allowing owner David Friend to reclassify 2.01 acres from Residential-Recreational 1 to Commercial One for an auto and marine detailing shop with living quarters.

The committee’s decision, moved by Mr. Gan and seconded with findings added, adopted Findings of Fact 1–6 as part of the approval. The staff presentation noted the parcel’s proximity to existing commercial uses, the town of Hayward’s support, and seven mailed notifications to adjacent owners; no written objections were returned to county staff.

During the public hearing, applicant David Friend told the committee he had “done my best my ability to notify surrounding Property Owners” and emphasized that the cleaning solutions he plans to use are commonly available at retail stores. Resident Linda Zilmer did not take a position on the application but pressed staff on whether a staff report incorrectly referenced “storage facilities” and whether state wastewater rules might require a two-stage system for commercial solvent use.

Staff told the committee that a rezone is a legislative decision and cannot be conditioned to a single, specific use; the committee may approve the zoning classification but not impose use-specific conditions (for example, limiting building size or a wastewater system type as a condition of the rezone). Staff also said that if the detailing business later requires commercial wastewater permitting, the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (or the appropriate state agency) has a separate review process that could require an expensive inground system or holding tanks for solvent wastes.

The committee closed the public hearing before voting. The motion to approve rezone 24-9 carried on roll call.