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Committee advances zoning code rewrite discussions and endorses staffing changes and remodeling plans for 2027 budget
Summary
The committee reviewed campground provisions and definitions for the comprehensive zoning code rewrite, endorsed a departmental staffing restructure emphasizing a deputy administrator/zoning supervisor and a code enforcement specialist, and discussed an office remodel preliminarily estimated at $310,000–$325,000 for future budgets.
Bayfield County’s Planning and Zoning Committee spent substantial time on non‑agenda policy and budget items on June 18, 2026, discussing proposed changes to the comprehensive zoning code, departmental staffing restructuring for 2027, and a proposed office remodel.
On the code rewrite, staff presented draft campground provisions with comparisons to other counties and discussed creating a separate campground zoning district for larger developments while allowing smaller campgrounds to proceed under a simplified Class A permit. Committee members generally supported a density standard of 10 campsites per acre, clearer definitions distinguishing permanent campground cabins and yurts from transient RVs and camper trailers, restrictions aimed at limiting permanent additions to RV sites, and a seasonal special event campground permit for limited‑duration uses.
On the 2027 budget, Director Ruth Hulstrom proposed creating a deputy administrator/zoning supervisor position (to replace an Assistant Zoning Administrator at a higher pay grade), repurposing a Clerk I into a code enforcement specialist, and adding a year‑round half‑time clerk to maintain front‑office operations. Committee members expressed strong support for restructuring to better address code enforcement while preserving permit service levels. Hulstrom also said the Short‑Term Rental Specialist allocation would shift from 50% zoning/50% public health to 40% zoning/60% public health.
Hulstrom presented an office remodel with C&S Design contracted for design services. While $15,000 was budgeted for initial design, the preliminary design estimate is about $19,000 and the overall renovation was roughly estimated at $310,000–$325,000; staff expects preliminary concepts in about 60 days to refine cost estimates ahead of mid‑August budget discussions.
Committee members asked that legal counsel be consulted on campground district language to avoid adjacent high‑density campground sprawl and emphasized consistent terminology throughout the code rewrite. The committee discussed phased funding for the remodel so the project could align with future budgets without necessarily increasing net staff counts in the near term.
