HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022 Comprehensive Planning Committee - Agenda - 3/15/2023
1
Bayfield County Clerk
Lynn M. Divine, County Clerk
Kim Mattson, Accountant Jeran Delaine, Deputy Clerk
Gail M. Reha, Bookkeeper Paige Terry, Clerk III
Ph: 715.373.6100 ● Fx: 715.373.6153 ● Email: Lynn.Divine@bayfieldcounty.wi.gov ● 117 E. Fifth Street, PO Box 878, Washburn, WI 54891
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN COMMITTEE
Steve Sandstrom-Chair, Mary Dougherty, Charly Ray, Jim Crandall-Vice Chair,
Ruth Hulstrom, Ben Dufford, Jason Bodine, Douglas Smith,
Cole Rabska, Bob Anderson, Kellie Pederson, Mark Abeles-Allison,
Keith Koenning, Barb Thorpe, Nicole Boyd
ADVISORY MEMBERS:
Jason Laumann, Northwest Regional Planning Commission
Emily Nelson, Northwest Regional Planning Commission
Megan Mader, Northwest Regional Planning Commission
Lynn Divine, Paige Terry, Bayfield County Clerk’s Office
RE: March 15th, 2023, 9:00 am, Bayfield County Comprehensive Plan Committee Meeting
Dear Committee Members:
Please be advised that the monthly meeting of the Bayfield County Comprehensive Plan Committee will be held on
March 15, 2023 at 9:00am. This meeting will be held in-person in the Bayfield County EOC meeting room, at 117 E
6th St Washburn, WI. Supervisors and the public will be able to participate in the meeting in-person or remotely via
voice either by using the internet link or phone number below.
Microsoft Teams meeting
Join on your computer, mobile app or room device
Click here to join the meeting
Meeting ID: 278 291 805 262
Passcode: ZWpSko
Download Teams | Join on the web
Or call in (audio only)
+1 715-318-2087,,109316377# United States, Eau Claire
Phone Conference ID: 109 316 377#
Find a local number | Reset PIN
Learn More | Meeting options
Please contact Bayfield County at 715-373-6181 or 715-373-6100. If you have access questions prior to the meeting.
During the meeting if you have connection issues, please email mark.abeles-allison@bayfieldcounty.wi.gov.
1. Call to Order
2. Introductions
3. Public Comment (3 minutes per person, 15 minutes total)
Any person wishing to attend who, because of a disability, requires special accommodations, should contact the County Clerk’s office at 715-373-6100, at least 24 hours before the scheduled meeting time, so appropriate arrangements can be made.
2
4. Discussion and Possible Action, Minutes February 15, 2023
5. Existing Land Use Map Amendments/Corrections Update
Bayfield County Existing Land Use Review (arcgis.com)
6. Future Land Use Map Mailings and Updates, Discussion Regarding Need for Town Follow Ups
7. Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Workgroup Action Plan Review for Four Workgroups:
a) Intergovernmental
b) Land Use
c) Housing
d) Hazard Mitigation
8. Resources: Bayfield County Web Site, type 2022 Comprehensive Planning into Search Field
• Current Bayfield County Comp Plan link:
https://www.bayfieldcounty.wi.gov/DocumentCenter/View/129/Bayfield-County-
Comp-Plan-Full-PDF
• County Wide Plans:
https://www.bayfieldcounty.wi.gov/209/Bayfield-County-Comprehensive-Plan
• Existing Land Use Review:
Bayfield County Existing Land Use Review | Northwest Regional Planning
Commission, WI (nwrpc.com)
• Draft Plan Elements: At NWRPC Site: Bayfield County Comprehensive Plan
Update | Northwest Regional Planning Commission, WI (nwrpc.com)
• Preferred Future Land Use Exercise form (PDF)
• Preferred Future Land Use Exercise form (XCEL)
9. Comprehensive Planning Calendar, May 17 10am, June 21 10am, July 19, 10am.
10. Next Meeting: Tentative Thursday, April 20, 2023 10am, County Board Room
11. Adjournment
Sincerely,
LYNN M. DIVINE
Bayfield County Clerk
LMD/pat
1
Bayfield County Clerk
Lynn M. Divine, County Clerk
Kim Mattson, Accountant Jeran Delaine, Deputy Clerk
Gail M. Reha, Bookkeeper Paige Terry, Clerk III
Ph: 715.373.6100 ● Fx: 715.373.6153 ● Email: Lynn.Divine@bayfieldcounty.wi.gov ● 117 E. Fifth Street, PO Box 878, Washburn, WI 54891
Minutes of the:
Comprehensive Planning Committee Meeting
February 15, 2023 10:00 a.m.
Meeting Held in the Bayfield County Emergency Operations Center (EOC), Annex Building,
Washburn, WI
& Remotely
The meeting of the Comprehensive Planning Committee was called to order at 10:00 a.m. by Committee Chairman, Steve Sandstrom.
Members Present: Steve Sandstrom, Mary Dougherty, Charly Ray, Jim Crandall, Ruth Hulstrom, Ben
Dufford, Steve Probst (on behalf of Jason Bodine), Bob Anderson, Kellie Pederson, Mark Abeles-Allison,
Barb Thorpe, Keith Koenning, Nicole Boyd, Cole Rabska (arrived late), Jason Laumann, Emily Nelson,
Megan Mader, and Paige Terry
Members Excused: Lynn Divine, Douglas Smith, and Jason Bodine
Others Present: Bill Bussey- Lead of the Chequamegon Chapter of the Citizens’ Climate Lobby, Bruce
Moore- Member of the Chequamegon Chapter of the Citizens’’ Climate Lobby, Meagan Quaderer-
Bayfield County Emergency Management Director, Larry Fickbohm- County Board Supervisor, Fred
Strand- County Board Vice-Chair, Jeff Silbert- County Board Supervisor, Kim Bro- Town of Washburn
Planning Commission
2. Introductions: Introductions of the committee members were made.
3. Public Comment:
Bill Bussey, Leader of the Chequamegon Chapter of the Citizens’ Climate Lobby, thanked and
commended the committee workgroups for including climate change and the transition to
renewable energy in their section goals and activities.
Bruce Moore, Member of the Chequamegon Chapter of the Citizens’ Climate Lobby,
commented on the importance of including measurable action items in the Comprehensive Plan.
4. Discussion and Possible Action, Minutes January 18, 2022:
Motion by Abeles-Allison, seconded by Ray to approve the minutes from the January 18, 2023,
Comprehensive Planning Committee meeting with the recommended change. Motion carried.
5. Review Information Sent to Municipalities and Tribe: Hulstrom reviewed the documents that
were sent out to the county’s municipalities and the Red Cliff Tribe. Abeles-Allison reviewed the
mapping link that was sent out to municipalities that will allow towns to review the classification
of their towns and allow them to submit changes. The committee discussed the purpose of the
mapping tool that was sent out to towns.
6. Discussion and Possible Action on DRAFT Workgroup Visioning Document Updates,
Changes, Etc.: Abeles-Allison questioned if workgroups will be allowed to make elements.
2
Nelson replied that the workgroups will continue to refine the documents. Sandstrom concurred
with the importance of measurable action items being included in the Comprehensive Plan and
encouraged the workgroups to take this into consideration when working on their drafts.
Pederson spoke on the importance of addressing the concept of equity in the workgroup sections.
Abeles-Allison informed the committee that the Intergovernmental workgroup identified the
inability to measure the completeness of goals and actions included in the previous plan and the
group questioned if there were a preferred way to track the future plan’s goals and actions.
Discussion took place regarding how the plan actions and tasks should be assigned and who they
should be assigned to. Laumann explained that the draft portions that the workgroups have been
working on can be utilized to lay out the goals and actions whereas the implementation section of
the plan may be utilized to outline way the actions will be completed and who will be
responsible for their completion.
7. Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Workgroup Strategy (objective/action review) for
Each of the Eight Workgroups: Each of the workgroups reviewed progress that has been
completed for each of the sections. The committee discussed and agreed that the some of the
work groups would be presenting their Strategy Draft at the March meeting and the rest of the
groups would be presenting at the April meeting. The following groups will be presenting at the
March 15, 2023 meeting: Intergovernmental Cooperation, Housing, Land Use, and Hazard
Mitigation with a deadline to submit drafts to the NWRPC by March 10, 2023. The following
groups will be presenting at the April 2023 meeting: Agricultural, Natural, & Cultural
Resources; Economic Development; Transportation; and Utilities & Community Facilities with a
deadline to submit drafts to be set at a later date.
11:03 a.m. – Cole Rabska joined the meeting.
The committee discussed options for making a goals and action items measurable, the delegation
of responsibility to complete the goals and action items, and the possibility of checking in on each
of the items to make sure progress is being made towards completing them.
8. Planning and Zoning Update on Existing Land Use Map Feedback: Hulstrom informed the
committee that the Land Use Map should be finalized by the end of March 2023. Laumann
reported that he has not received any suggested changes for the land use map yet. Kim Bro,
Town of Washburn Planning Commission, informed the committee that the mapping tool
information was distributed to the municipalities; however, the towns were unsure who was
responsible for suggesting or making changes to the map. Laumann explained that the map was
not a legal document so any individual may go in and suggest changes. Bro asked that the
municipal boundaries be added to the map to make it easier for users to determine which town
they are viewing. Laumann stated that the municipal boundary layer will be added.
9. Discussion and Possible Action on Existing Land Use Map: Ray questioned why the
classification of land owned by the Red Cliff Tribe was not included in the mapping tool.
Laumann explained that Red Cliff is a separate entity and Bayfield County has no control over
the classifications that Red Cliff uses. The committee discussed including the tribe’s land use
classifications in the mapping tool to ensure that neighboring parcels are compatible with Red
Cliff.
10. Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Future Land Use Mapping and Classifications:
Laumann reviewed the future land use mapping exercise that will be sent out to all municipalities
in Bayfield County with the committee. Hulstrom asked that an example of density be included in the exercise to give individuals a visual representation. Laumann stated that the NWRPC
prefers to not overcomplicate the exercise and has included a link in the document to contact the
NWRPC if there are any questions. Bro suggested the Shoreland Residential category be
removed from the list. Pederson requested that the phrase “Single-Family Residences” be
removed from the Rural Residential category focus description and be replaced with a phrase
similar to “suitable lands for residential use.”
3
11:54 a.m. – Mary Dougherty left the meeting.
11:56 a.m. – Ruth Hulstrom left the meeting.
Discussion took place regarding the mapping categories included in the exercise.
12:10 p.m. – Nicole Boyd left the meeting.
Ray stated that the Agriculture category should include phrasing for residence and year-round
homes similar to the Forestry and Open Space category. Laumann explained that a mistake was
made, and that wording should be included in the Agriculture category.
The committee discussed the components of the exercise and members expressed concern on the
difficulties individuals may have completing the exercise.
Ray suggested that the Conservation category description be changed to read “lands reserved for
conservation and/or public recreational purposes.” Additionally, Ray suggested that, under the
example land uses for the Conservation category “private lands with conservation easements,
and lands that are managed for conservation purposes” be included.
The committee agreed with all suggested changes.
Motion by Abeles-Allison, seconded by Ray to approve the preferred future land use mapping
exercise plan with the addition of the suggested changes and to make Bayfield County
responsible for distributing the document to all municipalities with a due date to submit all
suggested changes back to the Northwest Regional Planning Commission by May 1, 2023.
Motion carried.
11. Resources: Abeles-Allison reviewed the available resources.
12. Comprehensive Planning Calendar and Need for / Possibility of Extension: Abeles-Allison
suggested not extending the current contract. The committee agreed.
13. Next Meeting:
a) Wednesday, March 15, 2023 at 9:00 AM
b) Thursday, April 20, 2023 at 10:00 AM
14. Adjournment:
There being no further business to come before the Bayfield County Comprehensive Planning
Committee, Chairman Sandstrom adjourned the meeting at 12:19 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
LYNN M. DIVINE
Bayfield County Clerk
LMD/pat
Bayfield County Clerk
Lynn M. Divine, County Clerk
Kim Mattson, Accountant Jeran Delaine, Deputy Clerk
Gail M. Reha, Bookkeeper Paige Terry, Clerk III
Ph: 715.373.6100 ● Fx: 715.373.6153 ● Email: Lynn.Divine@bayfieldcounty.wi.gov ● 117 E. Fifth Street, PO Box 878, Washburn, WI
54891
TO: Bayfield County Towns
RE: Comprehensive Planning
FROM: Lynn Divine, Bayfield County Clerk
DATE: March 9, 2023
Bayfield County is performing its required 10-year review and update of the Bayfield
County Comprehensive Plan. As part of this update, Bayfield County is asking for input
from each town related to future land use. Thank you for your participation in this
process.
• This information will be used by the Bayfield County Comprehensive Plan
Committee to determine whether Bayfield County should examine changes to
development standards. The County wants to make sure that there is consistency
between the Town Land Use Plan and the County’s.
• This review can also be a first step for modifying your town’s future land use
plans. The procedures to follow for updating town land use plans can be found in
statute 66.1001. Emily with Northwest Regional (contact below) can also provide
guidance.
• The attached “Preferred Future Land Use Exercise” document has details on the
process to follow and can be completed in pdf or Xcel format. In this document
you may select a Desired Minimum Lot Size for different land uses, although this
is not required.
• We have also included a FAQ document to provide general perspective on how to
go about this exercise.
• The deadline to submit the completed form and future land use map is: May
12, 2023.
Attached please find the following documents:
1. Future Land Use Mapping Exercise (available in PDF or Excel format)
2. Future Land Use Mapping FAQ
3. Existing Land Use Map (contact clarson@nwrpc.com for digital copy).
4. Preferred Future Land Use Map (contact clarson@nwrpc.com for digital copy).
Bayfield County is contracting with Northwest Regional Planning on this project. Please
contact Emily Nelson with Northwest Regional Planning for further guidance. If you feel
you would benefit from an onsite presentation Bayfield County Extension or Planning
and Zoning can attend your town meeting. Please contact Ruth Hulstrom
(ruth.hulstrom@bayfieldcounty.wi.gov or Kellie Pederson (kellie.pederson@wisc.edu).
Emily Nelson
Community Development Planner
Northwest Regional Planning Commission
1400 South River Street, Spooner, WI 54801
(715) 635-2197
enelson@nwrpc.com
When complete please mail or email back to Emily. Thank you.
1
Bayfield County Future Land Use Mapping FAQ
(Frequently Asked Questions)
You have received several planning documents from Bayfield County. This list of
frequently asked questions will assist you in the review of each of the documents that
you have received.
How will this information be used?
The input provided by your town will aid the Bayfield County Comprehensive Planning
Committee in defining future land use across the county.
Why are towns being asked to provide input on preferred minimum lot sizes?
The information will be used by the County Comprehensive Plan Committee to determine
whether changes to development standards should be considered upon adoption of the updated
county comprehensive plan. This information will only be used to explore consistency between
town desires and current development standards. If changes appear to be warranted based on
town input, the county may elect to undertake a future process, considering amendments, with
formal town involvement. No existing ordinances or other land development standards will be
affected by town participation in this exercise.
For a visual representation of density, refer to the diagram at the end of this document (page 2).
Where can the town provide input on preferred minimum lot sizes?
A dropdown menu on the provided form (available in PDF or Excel format) allows you to select
minimum parcel size for land use categories. I.e.: Agriculture, 5 acres. This is an optional
category you can include or leave blank.
What are some of the factors the town should consider when identifying desired future
land use?
Current land use
Environmental resources
Community needs and desires
Adjacent land uses and compatibility
Quality of life
Utility and road access
We have a town future land use map, but the categories are different than the 8 being
used by Bayfield County in this exercise. What do we do?
Please work to ‘crosswalk’ the categories used in your map into the 8 categories used in this
exercise. Select countywide categories which best fit those used in the existing town future land
use map. The crosswalk will ensure compatibility between town and county classifications.
Will this replace an existing town plan or town desired future land use map?
No. Existing plans and future land use maps will remain the official documents for the town until
the town changes them through the town comprehensive plan amendment or update process.
To amend or update the town comprehensive plan, the town must, at minimum, go through the
process outlined in Ch. 66.1001(4) to adopt an amended or updated plan.
Is the town required to complete this exercise?
No. Town participation is voluntary but will help ensure consistency with county efforts.
2
Does the town need to formally approve (adopt) the Future Land Use Reference Map?
Formal approval is not required, but town action via a formal motion is recommended.
Who should conduct the exercise?
This is up to each town to decide. Typically, this would be a Plan Commission activity, but may
also be completed by the Town Board, or their designee.
Visual Representation of Density (Minimum Lot Size)
Preferred Future Land Use Mapping Exercise
Intent: Define town desired future land use using the nine basic categories provided. This
information will be used to depict preferred future land use for your town within the Bayfield
County Comprehensive Plan. NOTE: This exercise is NOT intended to be an official future land
use map for your town or replace that which currently exists within your comprehensive plan.
Town maps within existing comprehensive plans or future plan updates will still be recognized
as the official future land use map for the town. If your town has an existing comprehensive
plan, please attempt to crosswalk your plan categories into the nine general categories being
used at the county level as best you can.
What is needed: Existing Land Use reference map, Existing Future Land Use Map for your
town (if available), colored pencils or markers, blank Preferred Future Land Use map
How: Color code desired future land uses on the blank Preferred Future Land Use map. Please
use colors which most closely correspond to the MAPCODE reference chart. If other colors are
used, please create a KEY. Areas you color code can be general in nature and need not directly
correspond to parcel boundaries. Only use preferred future land use classes which apply to your
town. If your community does not desire to allocate any additional land within one of the
classes, please check the “Copy from EXISTING LAND USE” box in the PDF form. We will then
pull the data from that class over from the Existing Land Use map into the Preferred Future
Land Use map.
Process:
Step 1: Identify your community by selecting your town using the “PLEASE SELECT TOWN”
drop down menu at the top.
Step 2: (OPTIONAL) Consider the preferred minimum lot sizes for each of the relevant classes.
Please note that conservation is considered a non-development class. Please use the slider in
the PDF form to identify the preferred minimum lot size for each class. These sizes can come
from an existing comprehensive plan or may be determined locally in any manner you choose.
Step 3: Draw preferred future land use pattern on the map “Bayfield County Comprehensive
Plan Future Land Use Reference Map, Town of XXX”. Please use colors which most closely
correspond to those in the MAPCODE graphic, otherwise please create a KEY which relates
MAPCODE
Agricultural
Forestry and Open Space
Residential
General Mixed Use
Rural Residential
Shoreland Residential
Commercial
Industrial
Conservation
colors used to the nine land uses in the spreadsheet. If your community determines no change
in the need for additional lands within any of the categories, you may check the “Copy from
EXISTING LAND USE” option in the spreadsheet. If this option is selected, areas mapped as
the specified use in the Bayfield County Land Use Inventory, 2023 will be used in the final map
product for the area depicting your town.
Step 4: Once the map has been completed and the optional desired minimum lot sizes are
defined, please email this PDF form to enelson@nwrpc.com Please send the color-coded
Desired Future Land Use Refence Map Document to:
Northwest Regional Planning Commission
Attn: Clem Larson
1400 S. River Street
Spooner, WI 54801
Alternately, copies of the map document may be left at the office of:
Bayfield County Clerk, 117 E 5th Street
P.O. Box 878
Washburn, WI 54891
Land Use MAPCODE Focus Desired Minimum Lot Size (Acres) Example Land Uses Copy from EXISTING LAND USE
Agricultural AG
Suitable lands allocated for future agricultural uses,
including aquaculture. Typically 5-40 acres in size
Active and idle crop and pasture lands, includes residences
associated with agricultural uses
Forestry and Open
Space FOR
Recreation, conservation, forest products, cabins
and year-round homes. Typically 5-40 acres in
size
Woodlands, wetlands and open space, residences, recreational
development
Residential RES Suitable lands allocated for residential housing on individual small lots. Typically less than 5 acres in size
Residential dwellings. Typically occur within or adjacent to
communities.
General Mixed Use GMU
Suitable lands allocated for a mix of residential,
commercial, governmental, utilities and institutional uses, commonly associated with unincorporated
rural communities.
Wide variety of land uses. Typically occur within or adjacent to communities.
Rural Residential RR
Suitable lands for residences on large-lot
agricultural, open lands or forestry parcels. Typically 2-5 acres in size
Residential dwellings on small lots in association with forest or open
space
Commercial COM
Suitable lands allocated to accommodate
consumer-oriented retail and service businesses. Includes (for-profit) outdoor recreation oriented commercial uses.
Commercial land can be any parcel of land used for commercial purposes and intended to generate a profit
Industrial IND
Suitable lands allocated to accommodate industrial
(manufacturing) and other employment-oriented uses.
Production and manufacturing of goods. Also includes gravel pits
and salvage operations
Conservation CON
Lands reserved for conservation and public recreation. Future non-development areas. Includes
parks and public (non-commercial) recreation areas.
May also include private non-development areas.
Public lands, private (Ex. Land trusts)
Not Applicable
Municipality:
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Workgroup Group Task 2: Strategy (Action) Review
Goals - Broad, value-based statements expressing public preferences for the long term (20
years or more). They specifically address key issues, opportunities, and problems that affect the
county.
Objectives - More specific than goals and are more measurable statements usually attainable
through direct action and implementation of plan recommendations. The accomplishment of
objectives contributes to fulfillment of the goal.
Actions - Specific actions or projects that the county should be prepared to complete. The
completion of these actions and projects is consistent with the county's vision, and therefore
will help the county fulfill the comprehensive plan goals and objectives.
1. Review element action statements and propose revisions, if necessary.
2. Develop new actions for any new goals and objectives developed during
Workgroup Task 1 (Visioning Review).
3. Document proposed changes.
4. Once all Workgroups have met, each group will report their proposed changes to
the full committee for discussion.
• Has the action been accomplished?
• Does the action remain realistic given available resources?
• Based on what you know today, does the action address current and
anticipated conditions, or needs, in the county? If not, what language would
you propose?
Workgroup Review Documents:
Bayfield County Comp Plan Workgroup Review
What is a SMART Action Plan? SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant,
and Time-Bound. Defining these parameters as they pertain to your Action Plan helps ensure
that actions are attainable within a certain time frame and that your goals and objectives are
achievable.
WORKGROUP ACTION RECOMMENDATIONS
1
LAND USE
Draft Revision
Land Use Vision Statement
Bayfield County will maintain a mix of small communities, rural landscapes and natural
areas that make this a unique area with a high quality of life.
Growth and development will be encouraged in communities that have the capacity
or opportunity to expand existing infrastructure. Single residential zoning will be focused
on areas such as lakeshores and rivers where natural resources are most impacted by
increased density and use. Communities will be encouraged to infill and increase
housing within existing developed areas. Commercial developments will be
encouraged within existing communities and along transportation corridors.
Rural landscapes will be maintained by discouraging subdivisions and encouraging
concentrated growth among existing residential areas and roads. Infrastructure
projects which impact the visual rural landscape (road expansions, utility corridors,
energy facilities, communication towers, etc.) should be designed to minimize impacts
to the landscape.
Agriculture and forestry will be supported through revisions to the zoning code,
discouraging subdivisions in working landscapes, supporting transportation systems and
technical support from County staff.
The County will organize regular discussions with towns, cities and the public on land
use, sustainable development and planning on a regular basis to continue developing
and implementing a vision for the future of Bayfield County. Every two years, a meeting
will be convened to review land use issues.
Jurisdictional Planning
Goal 1: Coordinate growth management and land use planning between the County,
townships, cities, and agencies.
Target
Timeline
Responsible
Party
Objective 1: Ensure that all towns within Bayfield County utilize the future land use
classifications in the 2022 Land Use Plan.
Action 1: Engage communities and towns into
the process of utilizing the future land use
classifications.
2023 Zoning
B.C. Admin
Towns
WORKGROUP ACTION RECOMMENDATIONS
2
Objective 2: Develop a planning workshop every other year with representatives from
the County, towns, cities and villages within Bayfield County to understand planning
issues, review best management practices and discuss planning issues.
Action 1: Implement workshops in even years.
Action 2: Develop a planning & zoning
educational outreach position.
2024
Ongoing
Zoning
B.C. Admin
Zoning
B.C. Admin
Objective 3: County Board Zoning Committee should review the land use policies of
this document as well as the land use map in February to ensure consistency and
familiarity with the document.
Action 1: Implement. 2024 Zoning Staff &
Committee
Objective 4: Promote the incorporation of Plan Commissions on a town-by-town basis.
Action 1: Contact all of the towns/municipalities
to provide information and support
2024 Zoning Staff
Towns
Objective 5: Update the Ordinance and Zoning Districts to align with Comprehensive
Plan.
Action 1: Revise Zoning code. 2025 Zoning Staff
Zoning
Committee
Planning for the Environment
Goal 1: Ensure that land use and development is compatible and harmonious with the
natural environment.
Target
Timeline
Responsible
Party
Objective 1: Modify zoning ordinance as needed with this goal. Ordinance already
includes several requirements related to having a limited environmental impact.
Action 1: Research potential zoning in forestry,
agriculture, lakeshore and riparian zones which
maintain the use and function of the land with
conservation development options for landowners.
2024 Zoning Staff
Zoning
Committee
Action 2: Increase minimum lot sizes and develop
conservation subdivision guidelines for maintaining
agricultural and forestry land uses.
2024 Zoning
Committee
Action 3: Identify areas of the County as needed for
high density/impact commercial, industrial,
agricultural, recreation development or develop a
zoning code for this category.
2024 Zoning
Committee
Objective 2: Promote higher-intensity, higher density growth and development within Bayfield
County on appropriate sites through Zoning Code revisions
Action 1: Encourage residential developments, which
include multi-family housing, in areas that can
2024 Zoning Staff
WORKGROUP ACTION RECOMMENDATIONS
3
accommodate more intensive infrastructure
demands.
Action 2: Encourage minimizing the number of
driveways.
2024 Zoning Staff
Action 3: Promote through-street systems over dead
end roadss/driveways.
2024 Zoning Staff
Action 4: Develop appropriate parking standards for
different uses.
2024 Zoning Staff
Objective 3: Minimize Light pollution
Action 1: Develop guidelines for best practices on
light pollution.
2024
Zoning
Action 2: Create programs to encourage and
educate about dark skies and best practices for
reducing light pollution.
Ongoing TBD
Action 3: Evaluate areas of Bayfield County for
Dark Sky designation to promote winter tourism.
Staff this process
Ongoing BC Admin
Goal 2: Encourage the protection of historic sites to preserve the County’s sense of
history.
Target
Timeline
Responsible
Party
Objective 1: Identify historic and cultural sites within Bayfield County utilizing GIS
mapping. Identify staffing and departments.
Action 2: Develop a county work group combining
multiple departments and Red Cliff representatives.
Action 2: Develop and inventory cultural and historic
sites
2024
Ongoing
BC Admin
BC Admin
Goal 3: Protect water resources in volume and quality.
Target
Timeline
Responsible
Party
Objective 1: Conserve the artesian water system at near current levels in Bayfield
County.
Action 1: Conduct a study of the artesian water
system.
Action 2: Evaluate policy and program options to
conserve the artesian water system.
2023
2024
BC Admin
BC Admin
Objective 2: Protect water resources through planning and zoning.
Action 1: Address this in Zoning Code revisions. 2024
Zoning
Objective 3: Protect and restore public waters through policy, conservation purchases
and facilitating access to water.
Action 1: Prioritize public and private land
acquisitions which conserve the watersheds,
2024
Forestry
WORKGROUP ACTION RECOMMENDATIONS
4
riparian zones, wetlands and lakes of Bayfield
County with highest priority to Class 3 lakes and
trout streams.
Action 2: Prioritize acquisition of shorelines which
provide public access to lakes and streams.
Ongoing BC Admin
Forestry
Goal 4: Protect and preserve agricultural and forestland uses and the overall economic
viability of working lands within Bayfield County.
Target
Timeline
Responsible
Party
Objective 1: Develop and update the County’s Farmland Preservation Plan as a
means of creating tax credits for agricultural preservation, soil and water
conservation.
Action 1: Update the FPP before expiration.
Action 2: Staff and fund.
2028
2027
LWCD
BC Admin
Objective 2: As a means of protecting active farmland within this land use, the
County should incorporate the Land Evaluation Site Assessment (LESA) tool. Staff and
fund this effort.
Action 1: Review LESA and other tools and
programs which could be leveraged to protect
active farmland.
2025 LWCD
Objective 3: Encourage restorative agriculture and farming techniques that support
the economic and environmental integrity of agricultural land within the County.
Action 1: Support the hazelnut initiative.
Action 2: Support best management practices
and reduce impacts to the environment of
agriculture.
Ongoing
Ongoing
UW-Ext.
LWCD
Objective 4: Support forestry and agriculture economy by maintaining and ensuring access
to transportation infrastructure.
Action: Use bridge and road aids for working lands
road improvements.
Ongoing Highway and
Forestry
Committees
Objective 5: Ensure regulatory and policy changes are supportive of working agricultural
and forestlands.
Action: Lobby for working lands road aids. Ongoing Superior Days
WORKGROUP ACTION RECOMMENDATIONS
1
HAZARD MITIGATION AND RESPONSE IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE
Workgroup Vision: To promote resiliency among county departments
and partner agencies during natural and manmade disasters.
Goal 1: Inform and educate citizens about hazard mitigation as well as the various
hazards.
Target Timeline Lead Agencies Involved
Agencies
Objective 1: Educate residents and surrounding communities on the
risk exposure to natural hazards and ways to increase the members’
capability to prepare, respond, recover, and mitigate the impacts of
these events.
Action 1:
Community Education
Seminars
Minimum of 2
scheduled annually
beginning in 2023.
Emergency
Management
Highway
Department
WTA
Red Cliff
Tribe
Action 2: Public Service
Announcements Re:
Natural Disaster
preparedness
Seasonal – 4
announcements to
be sent seasonally
Emergency
Management
Highway
Department
DNR
USFS
Tourism
Objective 2: Develop and attend classroom discussions in local
schools to promote education.
Action 1: Develop &
Implement the Bayfield
County Schools EOP Plan
and present to the area
districts & Students
Initial plan to be
completed by
January 2024, with
annual audits and
updates.
Emergency
Management
Sheriff’s
Office
School
Districts of:
Ashland
Bayfield
Drummond
Maple
South Shore
Washburn
Objective 3: Use best available data, science, and technologies to
improve understanding of location and potential impacts of hazards,
and to promote disaster resilient communities by discouraging new
development in hazardous areas or ensuring that development is
done in such a way to minimize risk.
WORKGROUP ACTION RECOMMENDATIONS
2
Action 1: Utilize existing
mapping resources to
identify hazardous areas.
Annual audit of local
municipal road
maintenance forms to
identify problematic
areas. This data will assist
the mapping of this data.
Annual auditing
and updating to be
completed by
August of each year
(to accommodate
for budget season)
Land Records
Highway
Department
WTA
Red Cliff
Tribe
Planning &
Zoning
Objective 4: Present Hazard Mitigation topics to through public
outreach using 3 different form of social media, in-person presentation
at the County Fair, and presentations to the WTA.
Action 1: Hazard
Mitigation Public
Outreach
6 different topics to be
presented annually
Annual outreach to
be conducted using
a seasonal or
opportunity-based
process.
Emergency
Management
Sheriff’s
Office
Red Cliff
Tribe
Goal 2: Include resiliency of infrastructure for hazardous events.
Target Timeline Lead Agencies Involved
Agencies
Objective 1: Continue to seek funding for climate change impacts
on natural disasters – wildfire, flooding, winter storms, heavy rain
events etc.
Action 1: Seeking state
and federal grant
opportunities.
Apply for a
minimum of one
opportunity
annually.
Highway
Department
Land & Water
Conservation
Emergency
Management
Land Records
Tourism
Objective 2: Provide and or improve flood protection through various
means, such as increase flow capacities at stream and river crossings
with larger structures to accommodate high flows and land uses/
topographic engineering that slows the flows of tributaries.
Action 1: Design
infrastructure to withstand
Continuous Highway
Department
USFS
DNR
WORKGROUP ACTION RECOMMENDATIONS
3
a 100-year storm when
applicable
Land & Water
Conservation
County Forestry
County
Administrator
Land Records
Objective 3: Encourage hazard mitigation measures that result in the
least adverse effects on the natural environment and that use natural
processes, while preserving and maintaining cultural resources.
Action 1: When possible,
follow best management
practices for future work or
repair projects
Continuous Land & Water
Conservation
Planning & Zoning
County
Administrator
Highway
Department
USFS
DNR
Action 2: Incorporate
resilient attributes in new
capital projects
Continuous County
Administrator
WTA
Red Cliff Tribe
Action 3: Develop
mapping system with
capabilities to identify and
locate residents most
vulnerable to risk.
December 2025 Sheriff’s Office
Emergency
Management
Land Records
Action 4: Develop a COOP
(Continuity of Operations
Plan) for county offices
December 2024 County
Administrator
County Board
County
Department
Heads
Objective 4: Assist and educate town road crews on proper road
maintenance reporting so they qualify for FEMA and WDF funding
when applicable.
Action 1: Initiate training
with FEMA & WDF for local
municipalities
FEMA and WDF
Training to be held
annually by
December 31st of
each year.
Land & Water
Conservation
Highway
Department
Emergency
Management
WTA
Red Cliff Tribe
Action 2: Development &
Implementation of the
Road Maintenance form
for local municipalities
August 2023 Emergency
Management
Highway
Department
WTA
WORKGROUP ACTION RECOMMENDATIONS
4
Goal 3: Increase collaboration and communication between citizens, local
government, departments, tribal departments, federal agencies, and the private sector.
Target Timeline Lead Agencies Involved
Agencies
Objective 1: Promote recruitment for emergency responders in all
areas of the county
Action 1: Advocate for
legislative changes at the
state level to improve
recruitment efforts
Continuous Emergency
Management
County
Administrator
Bayfield County
Board
WTA
Objective 2: Enhance the regional interoperability communications
between emergency response agencies: WISCOM.
Action 1: Work with the
State of WI Office of
Emergency
Communications (OEC) to
influence regional interop
frequencies
December 2028 Emergency
Management
County
Administrator
Sheriff’s
Office
Highway
Department
Objective 3: Utilize the community wide emergency notification
system.
Action 1: Identify and
create policies regarding
how the county wide
emergency notification will
be used
July 2023 Emergency
Management
Sheriff’s Office
County Board
County
Administrator
Objective 4: Engage local governments to promote collaboration.
Action 1: Seek opportunities
to create formal
agreements and MOU’s
2023 - Continuous County
Administrator
County Board
WTA
Red Cliff Tribe
USFS
DNR
NPS
WEM
Action 2: Update
agreements with Bayfield
County Highway, USFS, and
other partner agencies
2024 Highway
Department
County
Administrator
USFS
DNR
Red Cliff Tribe
WTA
WORKGROUP ACTION RECOMMENDATIONS
5
Goal 4: Develop and implement training plans for future emergency events.
Target Timeline Lead Agencies Involved
Agencies
Objective 1: Further training of county officials / staff.
Action 1: Schedule and
host ICS training
To be held at
least once
annually
County
Administrator
Emergency
Management
Action 2: Conduct tabletop
exercises of actual
incidents to prepare for
actual emergencies.
To be held at
least once
annually
Emergency
Management
Highway
Department
TC Energy
Enbridge
Northern
Natural Gas
FEMA
WEM
Action 3: Host training
events with all 3 pipelines
that run through Bayfield
County
To be held at
least once
biennially.
Emergency
Management
TC Energy
Enbridge
Northern
Natural Gas
USFS
HOUSING
Draft Revision
Equity
Goal: Bayfield County will actively increase development of new attainable housing
opportunities for county residents across the spectrum of age, income and ability.
Target Timeline Responsible Party
Objective 1: Bayfield County will support the development of equitable, attainable
housing opportunities in communities across the County.
Action 1: Increase public
awareness and understanding
around the need for equitable
housing. Gather support for
equitable housing
development.
December 2023 ●UW Housing
Educator
Action 2: Quantify the need for
additional rental units to
accommodate demand.
December 2024 ●UW Housing
Educator
Objective 2: Bayfield County will support development of new housing
opportunities for elder residents, including independent living and assisted living
that can serve residents across the income spectrum.
Action 1: Continue to support
Northern Lights Health Care
operations through active
partnership, including financial
assistance, grant support, and
advocacy.
Ongoing, as needed ●County Board
Action 2: Support the
development of a financial
Complete plan by
December 2026
●County Board
●Northern Lights
Board
1
sustainability plan for Northern
Lights Health Care.
●City of Washburn
●Human Services
Action 3: Provide assistance
and support to Cinnare
Solutions to develop a 56-unit
senior-focused complex in
Washburn adjacent to Northern
Lights.
Ongoing until
completion of build in
December 2025.
●County
Administrator
●City of Washburn
Action 4: Provide assistance
and support to local
communities in crafting RFPs for
development of additional
housing units for elder residents.
Ongoing, as needed ●UW Housing
Educator
Action 5: Apply for and
co-sponsor applications for
funding opportunities and
technical assistance in
collaboration with county
municipalities and the Tribe.
Ongoing, as needed ●County
Administration
Objective 3: Bayfield County will support development of new housing to meet the
needs of a robust workforce making between 80% - 120% of county median
income.
Action 1: Provide support for
new initiatives supporting home
ownership and rental
opportunities, including the
BOBI program.
December 2024 ●UW Housing
Educator
●County Board
Action 2: Update county
zoning ordinances to support
multi-unit and higher density
housing options.
December, 2024 ●Planning and
Zoning / County
Board
2
Action 3:Collaborate with
Bayfield County Housing
Authority to identify new
opportunities that could
support residents making up to
120% of County Median
Income.
December 2024 ●Bayfield County
Housing Authority
Action 4: Explore the creation
of a Community Housing
Development Organization
(CHDO).
December 2024 ●Bayfield County
Housing Authority
●UW Housing
Educator
●County
Administration
Action 5: Coordinate a regional
discussion on how to more
effectively harness employer
resources to address workforce
housing issues.
December 2023 ●BCEDC
●UW-Community
Development
Objective 4: Bayfield County will seek opportunities to increase the stock of both
owner- and renter-occupied units (including starter homes and multifamily units), in
order to ensure a mix of opportunities for residents making less than 80% of median
income.
Action 1: Work with Bayfield
County Housing Authority to
identify opportunities to support
an increase in their program
capacity.
●Bayfield County
Housing Authority
●UW Housing
Educator
●County
Administration
Action 2: Identify and support a
LIHTC application for new
income-qualified housing units.
June 2024 for
application submission
in December of 2024
●UW Housing
Eductor
●BCEDC
3
●Local
Municipalities
Objective 5: Increase the supply of transitional housing to address homelessness
and housing insecurity in the region.
Action 1: Coordinate with local
human services agencies to
develop needs assessment in
order to better understand the
scale of housing insecurity in the
region and possible solutions.
Ongoing with Annual
conversation to
address emerging
needs by December
2023
●Northwest CSA
●Ashland County
●Human Service
●Veterans Affairs
●Criminal Justice
Coordinating
Council
Seek financial and technical
support to ensure the
continued success of the
existing transitional housing
providers.
Ongoing with Annual
conversation to
address emerging
needs by December
2023
●Northwest CSA
●Ashland County
●Human Service
●Veterans Affairs
●Criminal Justice
Coordinating
Council
Objective 6: Bayfield County will increase the supply of supportive housing options.
Action 1: Coordinate with
partners to develop and
support a LIHTC application
under the supportive-housing
set aside.
June 2024 for
application submission
in December of 2024
●UW Housing
Educator
●BCEDC
●Local
Municipalities
●AARDC
●Northern Lights
Nursing Home
●CEP
●Red CLiff Housing
Authority
4
Quality
Goal: Bayfield County will capitalize on opportunities to improve the existing housing
stock in order to enhance the quality, livability, and character of the County.
Target Timeline Responsible Party
Objective 1: Bayfield County will actively seek funding sources to offset the cost of
new home development.
Action 1: Develop a relationship
with USDA Rural Development
and identify funding sources to
support a new housing
development.
December 2023 ●Housing
Coalition
●UW-Community
Development
●Administration
Action 2: Identify an additional
project within the county to make
use of USDA funds.
December 2024 ●UW-Community
Development
●Administration
Action 3: Apply for USDA funds to
support a new development.
December 2025 ●UW-Community
Development
●Administration
Action 4: Develop new funding
mechanisms for Land Trusts and
Small Developments as part of
the WHEDA Rural Affordable
Workforce Housing Pilot.
July 2024 ●Housing
Coalition
●UW-Community
Development
●Administration
Action 5: Research opportunities
within Federal BIL funding to
support housing infrastructure
development.
December 2023 ●Housing
Coalition
●UW-Community
Development
●Administration
5
Action 5: Identify additional
projects within the county to
make use of LIHTC funding.
December 2025 ●Housing
Coalition
●UW-Community
Development
●Administration
Action 6: Identify and apply for
one additional grant per year to
offset the costs of housing
development.
By December of each
year.
●Housing
Coalition
●UW-Community
Development
●Administration
Objective 2: Bayfield County will encourage the redevelopment or elimination of
substandard, blighted, or deficient housing throughout the County.
Action 1: Provide support to Town
of Cable and its development
partners to create a shovel-ready
site at the former School site.
December 2024 ●Housing
Coalition
●UW-Community
Development
●Administration
Action 2: Develop a plan and
process to recapture tax
delinquent properties for
development of affordable
housing.
December 2024 ●Housing
Coalition
●UW-Community
Development
●Administration
Action 3: Develop an inventory of
properties for redevelopment.
December 2024 ●UW Housing
Educator
●Land Records
●Planning and
Zoning
●BCEDC
Objective 3: Bayfield County will Partner with NWRPC to increase access to programs
that provide residents with financial incentives and opportunities to improve and
6
maintain homes, including disbursement of Community Development Block Grant
Housing funds.
Action 1: Develop a plan to
increase awareness and use of
funding for home repair through
programs administered by
Northwest Regional Planning
Commission.
●UW-Community
Development
●NWRPC
Objective 4: Apply for all available federal and state assistance available to local
governments that will support an increase in energy efficiency and electrification in
local housing, in order to contribute to the county's goal of net-zero carbon emissions
by 2050.
Action 1: Research opportunities
available through federal, state,
local and private programs( BIL,
Focus on Energy, Xcel, Bayfield
Electric, etc) to support
energy-efficient infrastructure
development.
December 2025 ●Administration
Action 2: Partner with Cheq Bay
renewables to incorporate solar
technology in County-sponsored
housing development in
Washburn.
December 2025 ●Cheq Bay
Renewables
●Cinnare
Solutions
●Administration
●UW-Community
Development
●City of Washburn
Collaboration
Goal: Bayfield County will actively participate in collaborations and partnerships across
state, federal, tribal, county, and municipal lines, and with both the private and
non-profit sector, to ensure that adequate housing options exist across the region.
7
Target Timeline Responsible Party
Objective 1: Bayfield County will collaborate with Red Cliff to explore new
opportunities to achieve shared housing goals.
Action 1: Host Quarterly
meetings with Red Cliff Housing
Authority to identify
opportunities for collaboration
on shared housing goals.
Bi-annual (2x per year)●Red Cliff
Housing
Authority
●BCHA
●UW-Community
Development
●Administration
Action 2: Include housing
updates regularly on County
-Tribal relations meetings.
Bi-annual (2x per year)●Red Cliff
Housing
Authority
●BCHA
●UW-Community
Development
●Administration
●Housing
Coalition
Objective 2: Bayfield County will collaborate with towns and municipalities to
explore new opportunities to achieve housing goals.
Action 1: Enact a support
program to assist communities
in development of RFPs and
contracting with developers to
build needed housing.
December 2025 ●UW-Community
Development
●Administration
●Housing
Coalition
Action 2: Identify cost-sharing
opportunities to support
shared-housing development
goals with municipalities.
December 2024 ●UW-Community
Development
●Administration
8
Objective 3: Bayfield County will increase collaboration with the Bayfield County
Housing Authority to increase the efficiency and efficacy and range of
collaborative housing efforts.
Action 1: Develop a shared
housing action plan that can
increase capacity to administer
a broader range of housing
programs and activities serving
an expanded target
population.
December 2024 ●BCHA
●UW-Community
Development
●Administration
Action 2: Formally review MOU
with BCHA to include
clarification on shared goals
and objectives.
December 2023 ●BCHA
●UW-Community
Development
●Administration
Objective 4: Bayfield County will increase capacity to address housing at a county
level by partnering with UW-Madison Extension to hire additional staff and dedicate
additional resources to improve housing opportunities for residents.
Action 1: Provide facilitation,
and backbone administrative
support for Regional Housing
Coalition and other housing
related partnerships and
collaborations through annual
goal setting, bi-annual meetings
and quarterly updates.
Ongoing with Annual,
bi-annual, quarterly,
activities
●UW-Community
Development
Action 2: Enact a support
program to assist communities
in development of RFPs and
contracting with developers to
build needed housing.
July 2023 ●UW-Community
Development
9
Action 3: Participate in
UW-sponsored research on
climate migration patterns and
their potential effect on housing
to better understand the
potential challenges and
opportunities.
December 2024 ●UW-Community
Development
Objective 5: Bayfield County will coordinate with the business community to
increase workforce housing opportunities so that businesses can grow and thrive in
Bayfield County.
Action 1: Explore the
development of an
employer-based funding source
to increase new workforce
housing within the WHEDA Rural
Affordable Workforce Housing
Pilot.
July 2024 ●UW-Community
Development
●BCEDC
●Larger Local
employers
●Chambers of
Commerce
Objective 6: Bayfield County will partner with Northwest Regional Planning to
ensure the disbursement of Community Development Block Grant Housing funds.
Action 1: Develop a plan to
increase awareness and use of
funding for home repair through
programs administered by
Northwest Regional Planning
Commission.
Northwest Regional
Planning Commission
Zoning and Land Use
Goal: Bayfield County will develop a housing strategy that increases opportunities for
attainable housing while maintaining community character and the integrity of the
natural environment.
10
Target Timeline Responsible Party
Objective 1: Bayfield County will encourage development of parcels that are within
or adjacent to existing utility, transportation, daily living and recreational
infrastructure.
Action 1: Enact a support
program to assist communities in
development of RFPs and
contracting with developers to
build needed housing.
July 2023 ●UW-Community
Development
●Bayfield County
Action 2: Develop an inventory
of sites that are particularly
advantageous for new housing
development across Bayfield
County.
July 2023 ●UW-Community
Development
●Land Records
Action 3: Research opportunities
and facilitate access to loans,
grants and other funding
sources for site development.
Annually, opportunities
identified by October.
●Administration
●UW-Community
Development
Objective 2: Bayfield County will identify tax delinquent lots suitable for housing
development.
Develop a process for
identifying tax delinquent
properties suitable for
redevelopment for the purpose
of housing.
December 2024 ●UW-Community
Development
●Land Sales
Committee
●Administration
●Planning and
Zoning
Objective 3: Whenever possible, Bayfield County will favor multi-family zoning and
the permissibility of accessory dwelling units to increase residential density and
lower the cost of new housing unit development.
11
Action 1: Evaluate the zoning
code for changes that will
increase housing opportunities.
March 2024 ●Zoning and
Planning
●Consultant
affiliated with
WHEDA RAWHI
program
Action 2: Modify or rewrite the
zoning code to allow for
increased density.
December 2026 ●Zoning and
Planning
●Consultant
affiliated with
WHEDA RAWHI
program
Objective 4: Bayfield County will encourage reevaluation of overlay districts to
increase density and opportunities for housing development.
Action 1: Reevaluate overlay
districts for congruency with
county housing goals.
March 2024 ●Zoning and
Planning
●Consultant
affiliated with
WHEDA RAWHI
program
●Municipal
government
officials
●Ashland Bayfield
Towns
Associations
Objective 5:Bayfield County will streamline permitting processes making housing
development easier and less costly.
Action 1: Evaluate the
permitting process for
inefficiencies and delays.
March 2024 ●Zoning and
Planning
12
●Consultant
affiliated with
WHEDA RAWHI
program
Action 2: Enact a streamlined
permitting process to support
housing development.
December 2024 ●Zoning and
Planning
●Consultant
affiliated with
WHEDA RAWHI
program
13