Brown County Planning Commission adopts modified comprehensive plan

The Brown County Planning Commission unanimously adopted a modified comprehensive planning document on Nov. 6, 2024, voting to forward it to the Brown County Commissioners for their review and consideration.

Bill Vonderschmidt, chair of the Brown County Planning Commission, presented the final edits before the vote and said the document is “the initial step to what may ultimately become a County Comprehensive Plan,” subject to guidance from the County Commissioners. The commission welcomed four citizen attendees and reviewed a set of specific changes to the document.

The adopted edits listed by the commission include: adding an approved disclaimer on historical, treaty and private land transfer of Indian Reservation lands (document page 5); adding the Kickapoo Water Treatment facility (page 39); deleting the earlier reservation map and replacing it with the Land Use map on page 39; correcting typographical errors (examples noted on pages 11, 12 and 13); and adding Hamlin to the Town and County Land Use section (page 46). The minutes record these page-specific changes as part of the modified document the commission adopted.

During a brief public question-and-answer period, a citizen attendee asked whether the document should be considered primarily an assessment rather than a finished comprehensive plan. Bill Vonderschmidt answered in the affirmative and reiterated that the document is an initial step requiring further guidance. Another attendee asked whether the planning committee was aware of a citizen petition concerning federal eminent domain related to the Grain Belt Express easement; committee members reported mixed awareness and said both the Planning Committee and the County Commissioners should be made aware. No formal action on the petition was taken at the meeting.

Shawn Lloyd moved to adopt the document by resolution; Clif Heiniger seconded. The motion was recorded as adopted by Resolution 2024-01 and carried by unanimous vote of the seven commission members present: Bill Vonderschmidt (chair), Clif Heiniger (vice-chair), Lafe Bailey (reporter), Bill Seckler, Wyatt Kerl, Rex Lockwood and Shawn Lloyd. The commission also approved a subsequent motion to adjourn; Rex Lockwood moved, Bill Seckler seconded, and the meeting adjourned at 8:40 a.m.

The modified comprehensive planning document and Resolution 2024-01 will be provided to the Brown County Commissioners for their review and decision-making, according to the meeting record.