Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Zoning topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Brown County planning commission leans toward limited zoning, counsel recommends banning industrial-scale wind turbines
Summary
At its Dec. 4 meeting the Brown County Planning Commission heard legal guidance on countywide zoning options and signaled an initial preference for a limited zoning approach; counsel recommended adopting a prohibition on industrial wind turbines while the county’s moratorium remains in effect through June 2025.
The Brown County Planning Commission on Dec. 4 heard legal guidance on options for adopting countywide zoning and indicated an early preference for a limited, expandable zoning approach while considering a prohibition on industrial-scale wind turbines.
Patrick Hughes, counsel with Adams Jones Law Offices, told the commission he was retained by the Brown County Commissioners to advise the Planning Commission on the zoning process and to prepare a draft resolution. Hughes outlined two paths the county could take: comprehensive zoning covering all land-use categories at once, or a limited initial zoning targeted to specific uses that could be expanded later. After discussion, the commission expressed support for starting with limited zoning rather than an all-encompassing code.
Hughes also noted the county currently has a moratorium on industrial wind energy development in place through June 2025 and recommended the commission consider a prohibition on industrial wind turbines as an initial zoning action, followed by a more detailed zoning framework. The transcript records that “Counsel Hughes suggests reviewing and adopting a prohibition of Industrial Wind Energy Turbines, and then begin a more refined set of zoning guidelines.” Hughes was asked to study how Tribal lands should be treated and to include that analysis in the draft resolution he will prepare for the Planning Commission’s review.
Why it matters: zoning determines what uses are allowed on private and public land and how they may be regulated. A prohibition adopted now would be a policy decision that limits industrial wind development countywide until the commission and the Brown County Commissioners consider broader zoning measures. The commission’s recommendation will be publicized for a formal public hearing and then forwarded to the Brown County Commissioners for their consideration.
What’s next: Hughes will prepare a draft resolution for the commission to consider. The Planning Commission set a follow-up meeting for Dec. 11 at 8:30 a.m. to review the proposed prohibition and related zoning language.
Votes at a glance: the body approved routine minutes and carried motions on officer terms and adjournment; no formal zoning ordinance or prohibition was adopted at this meeting.
Details of recorded motions: Review and approval of Nov. 6, 2024 minutes — moved by Bill Seckler, seconded by Rex Lockwood; motion carried. Motion to retain current officers for 2025 (Bill Vonderschmidt as chair, Clif Heiniger as vice chair, Lafe Bailey as reporter) — moved by Rex Lockwood, seconded by Bill Seckler; motion carried. Motion to adjourn — moved by Rex Lockwood, seconded by Wyatt Kerl; motion carried. The commission will consider Hughes’s draft resolution at the Dec. 11 meeting.
