Supervisors direct letter asking for living screen and inner metal fence at Hostetler property

Winnebago County Board of Supervisors members outlined requirements they want the owner of the Benny Hostetler property to meet to reduce neighborhood impacts, directing staff to draft a letter spelling out a combination of plantings and a professional fence.

The board said the county will ask for a living fence of fast-growing evergreens outside the county right-of-way with an inner metal fence for immediate screening. Chair (identified in the transcript as Chair) summarized the direction: "she's gonna be putting in the letter that we're gonna want the living fence. And then inside that, the metal fence, not post." Supervisors discussed setbacks — staff indicated a working figure of 33 feet from the road center on gravel roads — and emphasized that mature canopy must not encroach into the right-of-way.

Board members recommended giving the owner notice and returning the item with the owner and other contacts present. Members referenced a 60–90 day target for installing a metal fence and an 8–9 month horizon for a living fence to establish substantial screening. The board also reviewed site signage and debated whether the property functions as a temporary lay-down and sorting area or a machinery sales lot; supervisors noted state protections that affect agricultural-equipment sales and said no conclusive documentation of a business license was provided at the meeting.

Next steps: staff will draft the letter including setback and planting guidance and circulate it to the board for review; supervisors set a follow-up on Aug. 11 at 10:00 a.m. for further action or to receive the owner's response.