Barron County held the first meeting of a Recreation Work Group. This committee is looking at upgrading county owned parks, trails, shooting ranges, boat landings and other county owned property. A lengthy discussion also centered on the county's total lack of tourism promotion. When asked if I had any comments I stated "Realtors are interested in tourism and recreation promotion because it brings in new potential buyers." The committee plans on meeting, at minimum, on a monthly basis.
Washburn County Economic Development Corporation is on the defensive for their position they are not subject to the Open Meeting Laws. They no longer post agendas or make minutes of meetings available to the public. I have a hunch this issue will not go away quietly.
All RANWW Brokers are being encouraged to enroll in the Broker Involvement Program. Contact me for more details!
Politically Speaking....
What's Happening in Northwest Wisconsin
Friday, June 5, 2009
Monday, June 1, 2009
The Spooner Advocate has been asking the Washburn County Economic Development Corporation for justification of not allowing the public to participate in their meetings. The entire article can be found here. (Free registration required to read entire article.) Many very interesting questions are asked with no answers in sight.
Barron County Administrator Duane Hebert has accepted the position of Administrator in Winona County, MN. While Mr. Hebert certainly has his detractors, he has always had an open door policy with me to discuss issues of concerns to Realtors® and Builders.
Last year Barron County dismanteled the Parks/Recreation/Forestry Department. That decision has come under fire by many who believe tourist related services should be promoted not diminished. A "Work Group Meeting" is scheuled for June 4 to discuss this issue.
In a Letter to the Editor of the Sawyer County Record, the Sawyer County Lakes Forum is urging the Sawyer County Zoning Committee to get tough on non registered and failing septic systems. This is the same position urged by the Realtors® Association of Northwestern Wisconsin.
Barron County Administrator Duane Hebert has accepted the position of Administrator in Winona County, MN. While Mr. Hebert certainly has his detractors, he has always had an open door policy with me to discuss issues of concerns to Realtors® and Builders.
Last year Barron County dismanteled the Parks/Recreation/Forestry Department. That decision has come under fire by many who believe tourist related services should be promoted not diminished. A "Work Group Meeting" is scheuled for June 4 to discuss this issue.
In a Letter to the Editor of the Sawyer County Record, the Sawyer County Lakes Forum is urging the Sawyer County Zoning Committee to get tough on non registered and failing septic systems. This is the same position urged by the Realtors® Association of Northwestern Wisconsin.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
May Monthly Report
Barron County
The Barron County Comprehensive Planning Committee continues to make rapid progress towards meeting the January 1, 2010 deadline.This month they take up the Draft Utilities and Community Facilities Element and Economic Development Element. A meeting with the Town Association is also being planned. This meeting will focus on Town land uses and how they will integrate into the County Land Use Goals.
The Barron County Zoning Committee had a relatively uneventful Information Meeting for proposed ordinance changes. A decent size crowd of about 20 was there to keep the committee "honest". A few minor revisions were made to the minor revisions being proposed. The Home Occupation permit language was clarified to allow for internet based businesses.
Bayfield County
The Bayfield County Comprehensive Planning Committee keeps pace with their timetable of completion. The next meetings will be May 27th and 28th. These meetings will focus on existing and future land use. Always the most controversial subject in a Comprehensive Plan. The May 27th meeting is at the Visitors Center from 6-8 pm. The May 28th meeting is at the Grandview Town Hall from 6-8 pm.
Bayfield County Zoning Committee is considering changes to the Camping Ordinance. The proposed changes can be obtained from the Zoning Department if you are interested in the details.
Burnett County
A meeting in Burnett County was held to discuss solutions to the local foreclosure problem. A report of this meeting can be found in this article from the Burnett County Sentinel. If you choose not to read the entire article it basically says that state and local government has no control over the problem, can't legislate solutions but will have a series of meetings to discuss it anyway, to look like they are doing something.
The Burnett County Comprehensive Planning Committee cancelled their last planned meeting. With the deadline looming that is not a good sign. Not critical ... but not a good sign.
Rusk County
The Rusk County Comprehensive Planning Committee has not met since December. I am assuming the questionnaire results are being tabulated. There has not been a meeting since the questionnaire was sent out to property owners.
Sawyer County
The Sawyer County Zoning Committee discussed point of sale mandatory septic inspections. The Realtors® Association had the position of opposing mandatory septic inspections at time of sale. Instead endorsed Sawyer County actively pursue a program to identify non registered and failing systems. No decision was even close to being made on this issue. Further discussions will be held in the future.
The Sawyer County Zoning Committee held a Public Input Meeting on the issue of short term rentals in residential zones. Traffic, parking, noise and parties are common complaints. There was no outcry or attempt to ban them but rather how can they be controlled with minimum restrictions.
Washburn County
The Washburn County Board of Supervisors voted 12-8 not to approve the proposed Comprehensive Plan. I guess next year we will find out what happens when a county refuses to comply with the Comprehensive Planning mandate. It could be interesting.
The Washburn County Zoning Committee is proposing changes to the Subdivision Ordinance. No objections to these changes were raised by Realtor® members.
The Barron County Comprehensive Planning Committee continues to make rapid progress towards meeting the January 1, 2010 deadline.This month they take up the Draft Utilities and Community Facilities Element and Economic Development Element. A meeting with the Town Association is also being planned. This meeting will focus on Town land uses and how they will integrate into the County Land Use Goals.
The Barron County Zoning Committee had a relatively uneventful Information Meeting for proposed ordinance changes. A decent size crowd of about 20 was there to keep the committee "honest". A few minor revisions were made to the minor revisions being proposed. The Home Occupation permit language was clarified to allow for internet based businesses.
Bayfield County
The Bayfield County Comprehensive Planning Committee keeps pace with their timetable of completion. The next meetings will be May 27th and 28th. These meetings will focus on existing and future land use. Always the most controversial subject in a Comprehensive Plan. The May 27th meeting is at the Visitors Center from 6-8 pm. The May 28th meeting is at the Grandview Town Hall from 6-8 pm.
Bayfield County Zoning Committee is considering changes to the Camping Ordinance. The proposed changes can be obtained from the Zoning Department if you are interested in the details.
Burnett County
A meeting in Burnett County was held to discuss solutions to the local foreclosure problem. A report of this meeting can be found in this article from the Burnett County Sentinel. If you choose not to read the entire article it basically says that state and local government has no control over the problem, can't legislate solutions but will have a series of meetings to discuss it anyway, to look like they are doing something.
The Burnett County Comprehensive Planning Committee cancelled their last planned meeting. With the deadline looming that is not a good sign. Not critical ... but not a good sign.
Rusk County
The Rusk County Comprehensive Planning Committee has not met since December. I am assuming the questionnaire results are being tabulated. There has not been a meeting since the questionnaire was sent out to property owners.
Sawyer County
The Sawyer County Zoning Committee discussed point of sale mandatory septic inspections. The Realtors® Association had the position of opposing mandatory septic inspections at time of sale. Instead endorsed Sawyer County actively pursue a program to identify non registered and failing systems. No decision was even close to being made on this issue. Further discussions will be held in the future.
The Sawyer County Zoning Committee held a Public Input Meeting on the issue of short term rentals in residential zones. Traffic, parking, noise and parties are common complaints. There was no outcry or attempt to ban them but rather how can they be controlled with minimum restrictions.
Washburn County
The Washburn County Board of Supervisors voted 12-8 not to approve the proposed Comprehensive Plan. I guess next year we will find out what happens when a county refuses to comply with the Comprehensive Planning mandate. It could be interesting.
The Washburn County Zoning Committee is proposing changes to the Subdivision Ordinance. No objections to these changes were raised by Realtor® members.
Friday, May 15, 2009
A meeting in Burnett County discussed solutions (?) to the foreclosure problem.
A report of this meeting can be found in this article from the Burnett County Sentinel.
If you choose not to read the entire article it basically says that state or local government has no control over the problem, can't legislate solutions but will have a bunch of meetings to discuss it anyway, to look like they are doing something.
A report of this meeting can be found in this article from the Burnett County Sentinel.
If you choose not to read the entire article it basically says that state or local government has no control over the problem, can't legislate solutions but will have a bunch of meetings to discuss it anyway, to look like they are doing something.
Monday, April 27, 2009
The "Discussion" session of the Sawyer County Zoning Agenda originally scheduled for April 17 has been rescheduled for Friday May 1 @ 9:00 AM. This includes the discussion on point of sale septic inspections.
Washburn County Board of Supervisors voted 12-8 not to approve the proposed Comprehensive Plan. State law requires passage prior to January 1, 2010 or any land use decision may be challenged in court for failure to be consistent with the plan. No prediction can be made what the ramifications of not passing the plan will be?However, It could be very interesting.
Bayfield County Zoning Committee is considering changes to the Camping Ordinance. The proposed changes can be found here. Anyone interested in this issue should check out the proposed changes.
The Washburn County Zoning Committee will be holding a Public Hearing on proposed changes to the Subdivision Ordinance. The proposed changes have generated no objections from our members.
Washburn County Board of Supervisors voted 12-8 not to approve the proposed Comprehensive Plan. State law requires passage prior to January 1, 2010 or any land use decision may be challenged in court for failure to be consistent with the plan. No prediction can be made what the ramifications of not passing the plan will be?However, It could be very interesting.
Bayfield County Zoning Committee is considering changes to the Camping Ordinance. The proposed changes can be found here. Anyone interested in this issue should check out the proposed changes.
The Washburn County Zoning Committee will be holding a Public Hearing on proposed changes to the Subdivision Ordinance. The proposed changes have generated no objections from our members.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Bayfield County continues on their Comprehensive Plan process without delays. Two Public Open Houses have been scheduled to review the progress of the Committee. It is time for objections to be raised if discovered. The first Open House is April 29 from 6-8 pm at the Iron River Community Center. If you don't know where that is you probably aren't interested in going. The second April 30 from 6-8 pm at the Grand View Town Hall. Ditto.
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Sawyer County Zoning Committee has a couple of items of interest on their April 17 agenda. The idea of mandating septic inspections at time of sale of property will be discussed. They will also be discussing, once again, changes to the subdivision ordinance. Finally a discussion on revising the sign ordinance. No action is expected on any of these items (maybe subdivision). But, very interesting discussions could take place.
Sawyer County Comprehensive Planning Committee will be hosting two Open Houses to update the public on the progress of the plan. The first is at the Sawyer County Courthouse Assembly Room on April 28 from 6:00- 7:30 pm. The second is at the Winter School Library Room on April 30 from 6:00 - 7:30 pm. All interested parties, which should be everyone, are encouraged to attend and learn what is planned for your future.
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