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Page 1 of 9 ZC Planning and Zoning Public Hearing and Meeting – July 16, 2026 MINUTES BAYFIELD COUNTY PLANNING AND ZONING COMMITTEE PUBLIC HEARING AND PUBLIC MEETING July 16, 2026 1. Call to Order of Public Hearing: Chairman Ray called the public hearing to order at 4:00 p.m. 2. Roll Call: Charly Ray (Chairman), Jeff Holte (Vice Chair), James Crandall, Fred Strand, and Jamie Tucker – all present. Others present: Ruth Hulstrom (Director), Emily Macgillivray (Assistant Zoning Administrator), Kelly Westlund (Deputy County Administrator, virtual), and Michelle Kainz (Office Manager) 3. Affidavit of Publication: Hulstrom showed the audience the Ashland Daily Press affidavit of publication, published 7/2/2026 and 7/9/2026. 4. Review of Meeting Format – Chairman Ray explained the procedure of the meeting. He asked everyone who wished to speak to fill out a form and stated they will be asked to come forward and speak into the microphone. 5. Public Comment – 3 minutes per citizen Tim Clark, Town of Iron River, spoke in support of JRT Property Management (JRT) application. Rocky Tribovich, Town of Russell Chairman, spoke in support of JRT application. Curt Basina, Town of Russell, spoke in support of JRT application. Tom Galazen, Town of Bayfield, spoke in opposition to JRT. Jessica Waclawski, Town of Russell, spoke regarding JRT, is in support of the application but would like conditions to be placed. Requests that RV be limited to 25 , keeping total sites at 50, and that there be a restriction to the use of ATVs. Tom Galazen, Town of Bayfield, spoke regarding data centers and is in support of a moratorium on data centers. Ann Rosenquist , Town of Bayfield, spoke regarding JRT and concern regarding t he amount of dust created on Valley Road. Ray suggested that the town look into reasonably priced chip sealing. Curt Bas ina, Town of Russell town supervisor, stated that with recent treatment dust should not be an issue at this time. Mary Dougherty, City of Bayfield, encouraged the committee to enact a moratorium on any data center applications and has submitted supporting correspondence. Page 2 of 9 ZC Planning and Zoning Public Hearing and Meeting – July 16, 2026 Lindsay Larson, Town of Russell, spoke regarding JRT, echoing Waclawski’s condition suggestions. Jessica Waclawski, Town of Russell, reiterated concerns regarding high road use and deterioration with large vehicles. Kellie Pederson, UW Extension, shared information regarding two public sessions on data centers coming up at the end of July . Karl Green, UW Extension community planning specialist, will talk about impacts, lessons learned, and planning and zoning tools we might use. Sessions are July 27, 6-8 p.m., and July 28, 1:30-3:30 p.m., both at Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center. Karl will be presenting to the Ashland County Board at 9 a.m. on July 28 and to the Bayfield County Board on July 28, at 6 p.m. (Brianna Bailey, Town of Russell, could not unmute on her end so no comment was taken.) 6. Public Hearing: A. Gerlach Entities LLC, owner and Craig Gerlach, agent request a conditional use permit (in a shoreland zone) to place a shipping container/intermodal container for personal storage purposes. Property is in a Residential-Recreational Business (R-RB) zoning district; a 1.5-acre parcel (Tax ID# 35721), described as LOT 1 CSM #1680 IN V. 10 P.44 (LOCATED IN SW SE) IN V. 1046 P.480, in Section 14, Township 47 North, Range 9 West, Town of Hughes, Bayfield County, WI. Ray asked three times if anyone wished to speak in support of the request. No one spoke. Ray asked three times if anyone wished to speak in opposition to the request. No one spoke. Discussion ended. B. Wilderness Inquiry Inc, owner and Bryan Karban/Erika Rivers, agents request a conditional use permit for revisions to an existing campground. Property is in a Residential-Recreational Business (R-RB) zoning district; a 37.04-acre parcel (Tax ID# 36212); described as LOT 1 CSM #1745 IN V.10 P. 194 (LOCATED IN SW NW), in Section 33, Township 52 North, Range 4 West, Town of Russell, Bayfield County, WI. Erika Rivers, agent for Wilderness Inquiry, spoke on behalf of the request. She shared the origination and history of the organization. Summarized application requests and is available for questions as needed. Ray asked two more times if anyone wishe d to speak in support of the request . No one spoke. Ray asked three times if anyone wished to speak in opposition to the request. No one spoke. Discussion ended. C. Talitha Goldammer, owner request a conditional use permit for revisions to an existing campground. Property is in a Residential -Recreational Business (R -RB) Page 3 of 9 ZC Planning and Zoning Public Hearing and Meeting – July 16, 2026 zoning district; a 19.62-acre (771,093 sq ft excluding public right -of-way) parcel (Tax ID# 39369); described as NW SW IN DOC 2022R -596267 LESS PLAT OF SAWGRASS FIRST ADD V8 P14 AND LESS LOTS 1 AND 2 IN CSM 2353 IN DOC2024R-603897, Section 26, Township 51 North, Range 6 West, Town of Bell, Bayfield County, WI. Ray asked three times if anyone wished to speak in support of the request. No one spoke. Ray asked three times if anyone wished to speak in opposition to the request. No one spoke. Discussion ended. 7. Adjournment of Public Meeting Public meeting was adjourned at 4:35 p.m. 8. Call to Order of Planning and Zoning Committee Meeting: Ray called the meeting to order at 4:35 p.m. 9. Roll Call: Charly Ray-Chairman, Jeff Holte (Vice Chair), James Crandall, Jamie Tucker and Fred Strand– all present. Others present: Ruth Hulstrom (Director), Emily Macgillivray (Assistant Zoning Administrator), Kelly Westlund (Deputy County Administrator , virtual), Michelle Kainz (Office Manager) 10. Previous Business A. JRT Property Management LLC, owner and Tim Clark, agent request a conditional use permit (in a shoreland zone) to construct and operate a 50 -site campground. Property is comprised of four parcels, all located in a Residential -Recreational Business (R-RB) zoning district. Combined parcels total 18.38 acres (Tax ID’s 39048, 39049, 39050 & 39051), described as Lots 1, 2, 3 & 4 of CSM 2283 LOC IN S ½ of SW SW in DOC 2025R-610446 EXC ROW, in Section 4, Township 51 North, Range 4 West, Town of Russell, Bayfield County, WI (postponed on June 18, 2026) Hulstrom stated that she shared a copy of the Town of Russell’s agenda along with a printout showing the meeting agenda upload , though department cannot verify when it was posted. Explained that the meeting packet upload is not required by the town and reminded that the meeting packet is available from our office upon request. Regarding the concerns of Clark completing the soil test on his own, the soil tests came back as favorable for a mound or holding tank. They are planning to install a holding tank. The department does have certified soil testers on-staff should the committee have concerns about the validity of Clark’s soil test. Regarding road concerns, there is currently insufficient evidence to determine whether the additional traffic would degrade road conditions to the point of creating a public safety concern. Strand motion to approve the conditional use permit for a campground on Tax ID parcels 39048, 39049, 39050, and 39051 based on Town Board Page 4 of 9 ZC Planning and Zoning Public Hearing and Meeting – July 16, 2026 recommendation, consideration of the departmental file report and site specifics, consistency with the Town and County comprehensive plans, the count y zoning ordinance, specifically that the applicant has shown that they can meet all the campground development ordinance requirements, and the economic impacts of the proposal, with the following conditions: • Tax ID parcels 39048, 39049, 39050, and 39051 must be combined with a certified survey map into one lot; • All exterior lighting must follow Dark Sky best management practices, facing downward; • Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. daily; • No outside storage is allowed except for garbage and recycling; • No off-season over-winter storage of Recreational Vehicles (RVs) is allowed; • Copies of the approved stormwater plans and permits must be provided; • Access to the campground must be from Old County Road K; • The two accesses on Hyde Road may only be used for emergency and utility access. Seconded by Crandall. Motion carried, 5-0. 11. New Business Agenda Review and Alteration A. Gerlach Entities LLC, owner and Craig Gerlach, agent request a conditional use permit (in a shoreland zone) to place a shipping container/intermodal container for personal storage purposes. Property is in a Residential-Recreational Business (R-RB) zoning district; a 1.5-acre parcel (Tax ID# 35721), described as LOT 1 CSM #1680 IN V. 10 P.44 (LOCATED IN SW SE) IN V. 1046 P.480, in Section 14, Township 47 North, Range 9 West, Town of Hughes, Bayfield County, WI. File Report : Hulstrom informed the committee that the storage container is for personal us e. No Town Board recommendation from the Town of Hughes was received. There are no significant concerns from the department. Crandall asked whether a conditional use permit would be needed for a small (less than 200 square feet) shed. Macgillivray confirmed that no; a permit is required only because it is a shipping container and it is in an R-RB zoning district. Strand clarified that we created an ordinance specific to shipping containers due to community complaints, primarily because people considered them ugly. Crandall, noting that no Town Board approval was received, motion to approve the conditional use permit for a shipping container on Tax ID parcel 35721 with the following conditions: • An opaque vegetative screen is maintained to completely screen the shipping container from the public right -of-way and adjacent properties, especially the lake. If the existing shed is removed, vegetation will need to be installed to screen the shipping container; • The shipping container must be painted and maintained in an earth tone color to blend into the natural wooded surroundings. Seconded by Tucker. Motion carried, 5-0. Page 5 of 9 ZC Planning and Zoning Public Hearing and Meeting – July 16, 2026 B. Wilderness Inquiry Inc, owner and Bryan Karban/Erika Rivers, agents request a conditional use permit for revisions to an existing campground. Property is in a Residential-Recreational Business (R-RB) zoning district; a 37.04-acre parcel (Tax ID# 36212); described as LOT 1 CSM #1745 IN V.10 P. 194 (LOCATED IN SW NW), in Section 33, Township 52 North, Range 4 West, Town of Russell, Bayfield County, WI. File Report: Hulstrom informed the committee that there will not be a net increase in site occupancy; rather, the proposal adds buildings to support staffing and educational programming. Tucker motion to waive the required Environmental Impact Analysis and approve the conditional use permit for revisions to an existing campground on Tax ID parcel 36212 based on Town Board recommendation and that this is a revision to an existing approved campground with no net increase in users , with the following condition: • all exterior lighting must follow Dark Sky best management practices, facing downward. Seconded by Holte. Motion carried, 5-0. C. Talitha Goldammer, owner requests a conditional use permit for revisions to an existing campground. Property is in a Residential -Recreational Business (R -RB) zoning district; a 19.62-acre (771,093 sq ft excluding public right -of-way) parcel (Tax ID# 39369); described as NW SW IN DOC 2022R -596267 LESS PLAT OF SAWGRASS FIRST ADD V8 P14 AND LESS LOTS 1 AND 2 IN CSM 2353 IN DOC2024R-603897, Section 26, Township 51 North, Range 6 West, Town of Bell, Bayfield County, WI. File Report: Hulstrom informed the committee that the Town of Bell recommended approval. An addendum to the EIA was included in the packet, and i n the future they may be able to hook up to the public sanitary district. Holte motion to approve the conditional use permit for revisions to an existing campground on Tax ID 39369 based on Town Board recommendation and that this is a revision to an existing approved campground with no net increase of users with the following condition: • all exterior lighting must follow Dark Sky best management practices, facing downward. Seconded by Crandall. Motion carried, 5-0. 11. Other Business A. Minutes of Previous Meeting: Crandall motion to approve minutes from June 18, 2026 meeting. Seconded by Holte. Motion carried, 5-0. B. Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Zoning Code Rewrite i. Data Centers Crandall requested that data centers be addressed after the public information session. Ray suggested that we instead review the draft now and that it be Page 6 of 9 ZC Planning and Zoning Public Hearing and Meeting – July 16, 2026 added to our agenda again for next month with the goal of developing a short- term policy recommendation for the County Board prior to the adoption of more comprehensive language being incorporated through the zoning code rewrite. Hulstrom brought the committee’s attention to her summary and suggested that they use the table of potential impacts and mitigation strategies to determine whether additional regulatory provisions should be added. Ray emphasized the importance of requiring financial assurance or bonding, particularly for decommissioning, to help protect the County from future cleanup costs or abandoned facilities. The memorandum from Mary Dougherty was referenced outlining the concept of a standalone operations ordinance. It was clarified that an operations ordinance would likely exist outside of the zoning code and may require action by the Executive Committee rather than through the zoning ordinance itself. The committee also discussed where data centers could be permitted within the proposed zoning code, noting that light industrial, heavy industrial, and possibly commercial districts would be the most likely locations . The potential use of joint development agreements were discussed, which could be added as a possible requirement within the ordinance. The committee was supportive of requiring bonding for decommissioning data centers and a road use agreement to manage traffic and road maintenance and upkeep during and after construction. Ray reminded the committee that data centers can encompass hundreds of acres, reinforcing the importance of developing appropriate regulations and providing comments to the ordinance consultant if the proposed language is not considered sufficient for Bayfield County. ii. RV Placement The committee reviewed proposed revisions to the recreational vehicle (RV) ordinance, noting that RV placement has become a significant enforcement issue alongside campground regulations. Hulstrom explained that the current ordinance has been difficult to administer and that the proposed revisions are intended to provide clearer standards for the public while reducing adverse impacts associated with long -term RV placement. With RVs being allowed in all of the residential zoning districts with the current code, it is not congruent with some of the residential districts given that the majority of those are intended for permanent housing and is not adding to the tax base to support services and infrastructure. Hulstrom suggested that the six-month time limit could be enforced by Assistant Zoning Administrators d uring routine field inspections and could also become a responsibility of the proposed code enforcement position. M embers questioned whether extended seasonal occupancy could be addressed through permitting or fees. Hulstrom reminded that RVs are not designed or certified for permanent residential use, citing the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA), which states that RVs are intended for temporary occupancy rather than permanent housing. It was acknowledged that concerns about affordable housing are valid but agreed they should be addressed through other means, noting that the proposed zoning code already allows small homes as a housing option. Page 7 of 9 ZC Planning and Zoning Public Hearing and Meeting – July 16, 2026 The committee generally supported the proposed draft ordinance, including allowing RV occupancy for up to six months per calendar year and allowing occupancy for up to 30 days without a permit. The committee also discussed standards for storing RVs on private property. Hulstrom explained that requiring stored RVs to be completely covered provides a clear and enforceable distinction between RVs that are being stored and those that may be occupied or in active use. Members agreed that the requirement would improve enforcement by providing a visible standard in the field. iii. A-1/F-1 Zoning Dimensional Standards Discussion focused on whether the long -standing 4.5 -acre minimum lot size remains appropriate for F-1 and A -1 zoned properties . Ray explained that the current standard allows a typical 40 -acre parcel to be divided into approximately eight lots without requiring a certified survey map or special permit. However, because many properties contain wetlands, ravines, steep slopes, and other natural constraints, dividing land into uniform 4.5 -acre lots does not always represent the best or most suitable use of the property. He suggested two options: if appropriate allowing landowners to rezone during the first year after any ordinance change, or allowing rezoning at any time through a conservation subdivision approach without charge if lot minimums are increased for F-1 and A- 1 zoned properties. The mapping and suitability analysis (provided by the Land Records department) was reviewed, which was intended to help guide higher -density development toward areas with existing infrastructure and public services while preserving larger rural parcels and natural resources. Hulstrom explained that when the previous Class A review process was eliminated, it removed an important opportunity for towns to provide input on new residential development in A -1 and F -1 districts. She noted that the proposed approach could restore local input during the rezoning process, allowing consideration of factors such as emergency services, road maintenance, school transportation, prime farmland preservation, and other site constraints before additional residential density is approved. She suggested using these planning tools to concentrate future growth where infrastructure exists and to avoid placing additional demands on dispersed rural services. Crandall questioned whether the approach was appropriate for Bayfield County's predominantly rural character, arguing that many residents intentionally choose remote locations without municipal services and that widespread residential growth is unlikely given current development trends. The committee concluded that additional discussion is needed before considering changes. iv. Conservation Subdivisions This is tied into the discussion regarding A-1/F-1 dimensional standards. Ray will have a conversation with Hulstrom about possibly rebuilding this section if it is kept in the code. Page 8 of 9 ZC Planning and Zoning Public Hearing and Meeting – July 16, 2026 v. Electric Vehicle Charging Station Committee is in favor of this draft language. vi. Solar Energy Systems Ray referenced an email from Ryan VanLanduyt, who shared with this portion of the draft ordinance with Bill Bailey, who is a County expert in solar energy, and he has suggestions for revisions in his reply that might be incorporated. The draft language applies to commercial solar energy systems. vii. Wind Energy Systems Hulstrom clarified that we have no standards in our current code for commercial solar or commercial wind energy systems. Draft code would apply to commercial and noncommercial systems based on how much energy is being generated. Strand left the meeting at 6:07 p.m. Ray suggested that something be included in the code indicating that smaller systems (perhaps 2-3 kilowatts) would not be regulated. viii. Shipping Containers Hulstrom recommended that shipping containers in residential zoning districts be regulated through the Class A permit process rather than requiring conditional use permits. She explained that a Class A permit would be a more cost -effective process while still allowing towns to provide input. To maintain consistent standards, the draft ordinance could include requirements for screening and painting the shipping container earth-tone colors. Committee members supported simplifying the process by requiring Class A permits for all shipping containers, including those in the R -4 district, and eliminating the conditional use permit requirement. ix. General Nuisances This is a new section of the code. Tucker agreed that it is good to have for those cases that need enforcement. Crandall stated that enforcement is a concern, as well as determining what rises to the level of enforceable action. x. Parking Code is s pecific to commercial projects, which may be a problem in the future. There are no committee concerns. Discussion regarding the need for the code or not, but there was agreement from the committee that it is OK to list this in the code so they can be enforced locally. Page 9 of 9 ZC Planning and Zoning Public Hearing and Meeting – July 16, 2026 xi. Screening Fencing This section is very limited in the current code. Draft is specific to commercial and industrial use. There was committee agreement that this section should also be included in the draft. C. Committee Member discussion(s) regarding matters of the Planning & Zoning Department – no discussion. D. Monthly Report / Budget and Revenue Hulstrom shared that there is an approximately 20% difference in revenues from last year to this year, likely due to lower permit fee revenues since some fees were reduced and a higher revenue budget as projected compared to last year. 12. Adjournment Ray called adjournment at 6:21 p.m. Prepared by MDK on 7/18/26; given to REH on 7/24/2026 Reviewed by REH on 7/29/2026 Sent to PZC on 7/29/2026 Uploaded to Teams on 7/29/2026 Final Approval on 8/20/2026 cc: (after final approval)- (8) Supervisors, Cty Admin, Clerk, DNR, Web k/zc/minutes/2026/7 July P&Z Committee Minutes