Committee approves rezoning for Cyclone Holdings parcel near Somerset

The Saint Croix County Community Development Committee unanimously voted Aug. 13 to amend the county zoning map to rezone 13.9 acres owned by Cyclone Holdings at 1820 County Road C in the Town of Star Prairie from R-2 (residential) to C-1 (limited commercial).

County planning staff outlined the proposal and recommended approval, saying the parcel is within a county and town future land use “commercial node” and that both the Star Prairie and Saint Croix County comprehensive plans support the change. “The owner intends to utilize the property for a fence contractor business,” staff said, describing proposed office use, vehicle and material storage, and weekday business hours around 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Staff also told the committee the parcel sits about one-third of a mile from the Highway 64/35 interchange, is adjacent to a village boundary, and is subject to shoreland overlay setbacks and impervious-area limits because a pond lies roughly 500 feet to the east. The staff presentation noted that rezone approval would not bypass later site-review steps: “If the rezone is approved tonight, the applicant would still have to come through the county office for a land use permit,” staff said, at which time landscaping, screening, parking and signage requirements would be reviewed.

A committee member moved the ordinance amending the comprehensive zoning ordinance; the motion was seconded and carried by unanimous voice vote. No members of the public spoke in opposition during the hearing and staff reported no public comments had been received by the 4:30 p.m. cutoff for the agenda packet.

The committee’s approval changes the parcel’s zoning designation; any future development will still require the county land-use-permit review and compliance with applicable Chapter 15 standards.