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Minutes for 5/19/2026 Zoning Committee Meeting page 1 of 2 The Iron County Comprehensive Planning/Land & Zoning Committee met in the County Board Room of the Iron County Courthouse in Hurley, WI on Tuesday, May 19th, 2026. Committee members present were newly re-appointed Chairman Patrick Hanson, Karen Lauer, Jeff Nevala, Steve Finco. Absent, Gary Kessler. Erika Roeder, Zoning Department Administrator, Assistant Zoning Administrator Mark Marczak as well as GIS Specialist, Neil Martinko were present. Due to recent elections and officer nominations not being completed, Director Roeder called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. Roeder stated and acknowledged that the meeting notice has been posted properly and immediately called for the nomination of Chairperson. Repeating the call for a nomination three (3) times, Patrick Hanson was again nominated for the role of Chairperson. Motion made by Finco, second by Lauer. Motion carried. Chairperson Hanson assumed control of the meeting and called, three (3) times, for a nomination of Vice Chair. Hanson then nominated Lauer for Vice Chair. This was seconded by Finco. Motion carries. Hanson then call for the approval of the minutes of the meeting on 3/17/2026, meeting. Motion made by Lauer to accept and approve. Second, by Finco. Motion carried. GIS Update: presented by Neil Martinko. Martinko states that all photo and lidar flights have been completed. A quality check is being performed currently to ensure the images are good. Images from these flights should be available this fall with the Lidar information available next year. Martinko went on to explain t hat he’s processed 18 fire number applications this year with the average being around 50/year. The high-count years were 2021 and 2022, with 72 and 78 applications respectively. Lauer brought up the difficulty of seeing the Mercer resident fire numbers as some are old and not reflective. This concern is expressed with emergency services in mind and they not being able to locate a property in a timely matter. Discussion was held on which towns have gone through the process of replacing. Decided that a recommendation to the Town of Mercer and Carey , to replace those Fire Number signs that are old and can pose a problem in the event of an emergency. Hanson then reviewed the following rezone and conditional use applications: 1. Allow the construction of a 2520 Square Foot accessory building in an RR-1 Zoned (Rural- -Residential) zoned District, located in the NE ¼ - NE ¼ & PT GOV Lot 1, Lot 3, Sect. 31, Township 44N, Range 4East. Town of Oma (site address not yet identified by fire number) William T. Scheels Owner and applicant, 2145 W Co Rd. G, Oma (adjacent parcel). Hanson opened to public comments. None received. Public comment closed. Roeder stated all required documents, and information has been provided and meets current ordinance. Motion made by Lauer, second by Finco. Motion Passed. 2. Allow the construction of a 3360 Square foot Building of which 1008 square feet will be living quarters. Located in a RR1(Residential/Recreation) Zoned District, Located on Lot 14 of the Beaver Lodge Estates, Sect. 20, T43N, R4E, Town of Mercer. 5881N Beaver Lodge Circle. Ryan & Jackie Litwiller Owners. Hanson opened to public comments. None received. Public comment closed. Roeder stated all required documents, and information has been provided and meets current ordinance. Motion made by Lauer, second by Finco. Motion carried. 3. Allow the use of parcels: 016-0314, 016-0016, 016-0317, 016-0320, 016-0321-0000 for operating a Non-Metallic Mine. All parcels are in Sect. 32, Township 46N, Range 2E. Property owner is Joseph Francois. Hanson opened to public comments. None received. Public comment closed. Roeder stated that she’s working with the Engineering firm to calculate the financial assurance. Further discussion on the Town input and how the town of Pence will be required to monitor the road and that a full review will need to be completed in 2028. Concern expressed on the size of the project and the reclamation plan. Roeder explained that e ven though the potential of this NMM is big, the development will start slow and build slowly. She will continue to work with the owner to ensure the reclamation and financial assurance plan is keeping up with the development of this pit. The financial assurance will be provided by a Certificate of Deposit that will be signed by Joe Francois or who he assigns, and Larry Youngs, Iron County Board Chairperson. The Certificate will be provided and secured through Chippewa Valley Bank. Motion made by Finco, second by Nevala. Motion carried. 4. Rezone Request from F-1 to R-3 (residential-rural) parcel 016-0234-0000, located at the SE ¼ of the SE ¼, Sect. 18, T45N, R2E, Town of Pence. Zachary and Michelle Salter Owners. In accordance with the asset-based community development plan. Hanson opened to public comments. None received. Public comment closed. Roeder stated all required information and paperwork provided. Noted Town of Pence has provided comment that they’ve notified the property owner of the remote location of this property is the final stop of the plowing route. The owners have been informed of potential delays in road clearance. Motion made by Lauer to approve. Second by Nevala. Motion carried. 5. Rezone Request from A-1 to R-3, of ten (10) acres located within Parcel 008-0621- 0000, Corner of Co. Rd. D and Range View Drive. Sect. 22, T46N, R2E. Owners Richard and Jill Tilton. Site address 13255 N Co. Rd. D., Hurley, Wi. In accordance with the asset-based community development plan. This request has been postponed. The Town of Kimball has yet to meet on this so we will address at the June meeting so Town Input can be considered. 6. Allow the construction of a 2400 Square Foot Accessory building in an RR-1 Zoned parcel. Located in Part of Government Lot 3 & 4. Section 25, T44N, R1E. 7507W Nagles Rd. Town of Knight. Todd and Elizabeth Corbley Owners. Hanson opened to public comment. None received. Public comment closed. Roeder stated all paperwork and plans meet required ordinance language. Town input not yet received. Motion made by Finco to approve pending Town input. Second by Lauer. Motion carried. Administrator’s report: Roeder states Zoning is 27 permits ahead of 2025 at this same time. Further discussion of Roeder’s research into other counties and how they’re dealing with Data Centers. Oneida county just put a one-year moratorium to allow their zoning department to na vigate ordinances before a Data Center is requested. Roeder feels Iron County should do the same thing and she will begin creating a draft and hopes to have it ready by the June meeting. Public Comment: Tim Tyler, from Mercer, appeared and inquired about the Ordinance that prevents Flat Roof Boat houses. He also placed a phone call from his cell and put Don Ziblis on speaker. Ziblis states that he owns 6 properties in Mercer, two of which are shoreland properties, and he would like the Flat Roof ordinance brought back up for discussion. Committee discussed the ordinance and is willing to put the ordinance back on the agenda for the June meeting. Motion made by Lauer, Second by Nevala. Motion carried. Approval of Bills: Chairperson Hanson reviewed the two -month history of Zoning bills along with the amount of funds taken in from permits. Motion made by Lauer to approve. Second by Finco. Motion carried. Next Meeting: The next meeting for the Iron County Zoning committee will be at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 16, 2026. Adjourn: Hanson made the motion to adjourn 3:56 p.m. Second by Nevala. Motion carried.