Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Temporary Zoning topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Nine Vernon County townships pursuing temporary ordinances as county crafts comprehensive zoning
Summary
Staff told the committee that nine townships are circulating a model temporary zoning ordinance while six townships already have zoning; committee members discussed outreach, legal strategies and possible fees and agreed to continue the topic at the next meeting.
County planning staff told the committee that nine Vernon County townships were working to adopt a temporary ordinance that would make it harder for large data centers or other incompatible uses to locate without local review. "So there's 9 townships looking to adopt this temporary ordinance," Staff member (Speaker 5) said.
Members discussed that six townships already have established zoning and estimated that, if current momentum continued, as many as 15 of the county's 21 townships could adopt some form of zoning or village powers. Officials noted that temporary ordinances are often used as an interim step while the county develops a comprehensive zoning ordinance and that legal arguments sometimes rely on health and human safety language under state statute.
The committee raised outreach concerns — how to get accurate information to township residents and reduce misinformation — and agreed to keep the temporary-zoning update on next month's agenda so staff can report new township decisions and any guidance from the Wisconsin Counties Association.
