Planning & Zoning Committee - Regular Meeting — Minutes

Chippewa County Planning & Zoning Committee Regular Meeting June 18, 2026 Chippewa County Courthouse, Room 302 5:00 PM 1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Members of the Public Wishing to Be Heard (Comments will be limited to 5 minutes per speaker.) Danny Akenson, GROWW (GrassRoots Organizing Western Wisconsin), introduced himself and the organization to the Committee. He discussed data centers, other communities' efforts in updating ordinances and adopting moratoriums to review ordinances. 4. Consent Agenda (Unless separation of an item is requested, all items will be adopted under one motion.) Motion to Approve. Motion: Approved Result: (3 - 0) Mover: Rocky Kempe Seconder: Joel Seidlitz Ayes: George Rohmeyer, Jr., Joel Seidlitz, Rocky Kempe Nayes: None Absent: Jason Bergeron, David Kelly 1. Approve the Agenda 2. Approve the Minutes - May 21, 2026 3. Schedule Next Meeting Date - July 23, 2026 @ 5:00pm 5. Reports 6. Public Hearings - for Discussion and Action 7. Business Items 1. Wissota Lane - Town of Lafayette - Final Plat Review Motion to Approve the final plat as presented. Motion: Approved Result: (3 - 0) Mover: Rocky Kempe Seconder: Joel Seidlitz Ayes: George Rohmeyer, Jr., Joel Seidlitz, Rocky Kempe Nayes: None Absent: Jason Bergeron, David Kelly 2. Yellow River Ridge - Town of Lafayette - Final Plat Review (Phase 1) Motion to Approve the final plat as presented. Motion: Approved Result: (3 - 0) Mover: Joel Seidlitz Seconder: Rocky Kempe Ayes: George Rohmeyer, Jr., Joel Seidlitz, Rocky Kempe Nayes: None Absent: Jason Bergeron, David Kelly 3. Town of Bloomer Rezone Package - 2026 # 1 Clary explained the statutory requirements for the County Board to initially approve an independent zoning ordinance and then any amendments to the ordinance, which includes rezones. Chippewa County approved the Town of Bloomer's zoning around 2003. Motion to approve the rezones and forward to County Board for final consideration. Motion: Approved Result: (3 - 0) Mover: Joel Seidlitz Seconder: Rocky Kempe Ayes: George Rohmeyer, Jr., Joel Seidlitz, Rocky Kempe Nayes: None Absent: Jason Bergeron, David Kelly 4. Discussion on POWTS Maintenance Program Clary discussed the proposed POWTS Maintenance Program, the challenges with the software, the process for creating four separate mailings, the status of the wastewater treatment plants coming back online, the number of notices sent and the number of notices still needing to be sent. Issues: timing of the cards, the $25 late penalty, septics that have never been pumped, the backlog of the service providers and the possible modifications to the program for this year. Clary offered the following modifications to the POWTS Maintenance Program: 1. Late Fee: Waive the late fee for all owners for this year. 2. Seasonal Properties: The Administrative Code allows for an occasionally occupied structure to have an additional 2 years for pumping, if allowed by ordinance. While Chippewa County does not have this provision, DPZ is recognizing a significant scheduling problem with POWTS Maintenance and allowing this option would alleviate some pressure for some owners. DPZ will figure out a process to properly document this within the existing system. 3. Proposed Mailings 3 & 4: Combine into one mailing with one deadline. 4. Compliance Deadlines: Extend the deadlines out to the middle of September for all POWTS owners. 5. Final Non-Compliance Notice: A non-compliance/final notice will be sent out to all POWTS owners if a POWTS maintenance record has not been entered into the county's system by mid-September. 6. Citations: Focus on the individuals who have not pumped their septic systems for over six (6) years. 7. This process is subject to change based on the results over the next month or so. DPZ staff will keep the PZC updated on the status. DPZ's goal is compliance with the program and not to issue citations. Yet, we will still need to take enforcement action for some. While a motion was not made, the PZC was in favor of the proposed modifications. 8. Agenda Items for Future Consideration 9. Adjourn