Walworth panel keeps 400-foot off-site parking limit, forwards ordinance to county board

The Walworth County Zoning Agency voted May 21 to retain a 400-foot limit on off-site parking and forward the amended ordinance to the County Board for final action.

The change came after staff presented a draft that would have expanded the allowed distance for off-site parking to 1,000 feet and created a conditional-use path for locations farther than that. Nick, a county planner, told the committee the draft added the longer distance across several zoning districts and would have required a new public hearing if adopted.

Members raised safety and enforcement concerns. Commissioner Van Drizer cited the need to protect pedestrians and noted the sheriff’s office had flagged safety risks when large groups walk in roadways; other members said 60–90 seconds of conversation and local context made the 400-foot standard preferable. "If you want that thousand feet, no problem — send it back to a public hearing," staff said; instead, the committee voted to restore the existing 400 feet and make any request for greater distance subject to a conditional-use review.

The motion to keep 400 feet, moved by Van Drizer and seconded in committee, carried on a voice vote. The committee also clarified that certain districts retain setback and lot-line rules (for example, minimum 25-foot setbacks in some residential contexts) and that conditional-use parameters would guide approvals for remote parking.

Next steps: the board will transmit the committee-approved text to the County Board, which is scheduled to consider it at an upcoming meeting. If the County Board adopts any substantial change (for example, moving to 1,000 feet), a new public hearing and additional public notice would be required.