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Land Management Committee tables three Riverland Energy rezoning requests after public concerns
Summary
The Buffalo County Land Management Committee tabled rezoning requests for three parcels proposed by Riverland Energy following public testimony and committee questions about ownership, notification to towns, and environmental impacts.
The Buffalo County Land Management Committee on March 13 tabled three separate rezoning requests that would have changed three parcels to industrial use for Riverland Energy substation sites. The motions to table were made by Joe Bragger and seconded by Gary Stanton; each motion carried.
Cale Severson, the Land Management Director, introduced the Riverland Energy rezone application and described the purpose as allowing industrial land use at three substation locations. Public testimony produced mixed views. "You would like to use the combine all year so you can utilize the investment," said Bryce Lisowski, who identified himself as a Riverland board member, arguing the installations help stabilize the grid. Opponents raised procedural and ownership concerns: Bob Traun said the Town of Nelson had not received a Towns acknowledgement form, and Al Sheahan questioned the companies' origins. Scott Werlein alleged Riverland may be operating through a shell structure and said complaints had been lodged by members of the public.
Committee members pressed staff and attendees for more information before moving forward. Gary Stanton asked about potential environmental impacts, including CO2 release and taxation benefits, and said the rezone should be tabled pending more information. Tim Holtan, who described involvement in local economic development, said Anovary and Riverland operate as separate entities: "Anovary is separate from Riverland and they each have their own fence and own key, and Anovary is not in control of the grid." Land Management staff reported that the Wisconsin DNR identified no environmental hazard when contacted.
The committee took formal action to table the rezone ordinances for the Towns of Lincoln, Nelson and Mondovi; the motions carried and the items will return to a future meeting with additional information requested by committee members. The committee set its next meeting for April 2 at 8:00 a.m.
