Connectivity Progress in the Town of Dunkirk

Proposed ordinance amendment 2026 OA-007 would remove a number of intensive, non-agricultural conditional uses from agricultural and transitional districts (FP-1, FP-35, FP-B, AT-35, and RM-16) in the Dane County Zoning Ordinance. The amendment was introduced by District 29 Supervisor Don Postler and is supported by the Dane County Towns Association. The county Zoning and Land Regulation Committee will hold a public hearing on the ordinance amendment, but the specific date has not yet been scheduled. Once the hearing is set, as required under state statutes, all 26 rural towns within county zoning will have an opportunity to provide input and act on the amendment.

In practical terms, the proposal would affect uses such as utility and transmission projects, renewable electric generating facilities under 100MW in size, non-metallic mineral extraction, and temporary asphalt or ready-mix concrete production where those uses are allowed by Conditional Use Permit (CUP). Applicants seeking to establish these uses on ag-zoned land would instead need to seek rezoning into a commercial or industrial district, such as Rural Industrial, and then apply for and obtain a CUP if needed.

The proposed ordinance change will provide greater oversight of major land use decisions to both the town and county. Under Wisconsin law, CUP decisions are “quasi-judicial” in nature and must be supported by “substantial evidence,” whereas rezones are legislative decisions over which the town and county have broader discretion. Town actions on CUPs are only advisory to the county zoning committee, whereas the county cannot override town denial of a rezoning.

Existing CUPs would remain valid, so current permit holders would not be affected. However, new or renewed proposals for these uses would be.

Please contact Majid Allan, allan.majid@danecounty.gov with questions about OA-007. 

Planning and Development Director Todd Violante sits on the 2027 Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Advisory Committee and Senior Planner Bridgit Van Belleghem is taking the helm on drafting the 2027 draft plan. Dane County Emergency Management kicked off the effort earlier this year and expects to complete the project next summer. The plan must be updated and adopted every five years for communities to be eligible for state and federal funding and recovery programs.

The Advisory Committee include several representatives from Dane County Departments and others from the Towns Association and Cities and Villages Association. The plan addresses risks, vulnerabilities, and mitigation measures to reduce the negative impacts of these natural forces including the flooding, tornados, severe heat and cold, severe hail, lightning, and other hazards we know well in Dane County, as well as emerging hazards such as air pollution from wildfires and Lymes disease that have not been addressed in previous plans.

The more than 20 participating jurisdictions are actively reviewing background materials and engaging locally to identify vulnerabilities and generate tangible mitigation strategies to prevent and reduce risk and be resilient when risks cannot be avoided.

To learn more about the process visit: Natural Hazard Mitigation Planning | Dane County Emergency Management.

In the past several years, our team of planners have engaged 15 town boards, commissions, and committees in updating their comprehensive plans. Most towns have Comprehensive Plans that are adopted as part of the Dane County Comprehensive Plan. These plans guide town and county decision-making related to land use and preservation. The Towns of Primrose and Vienna adopted updates in the last few years. Oregon, Vermont, Perry, York, Dunkirk, Montrose, and Cross Plains are actively undergoing updates with County staff support. Other towns, such as Dunn and Rutland have called on County staff expertise to supplement their own efforts.

Planning and Development is providing this support at no cost to towns. Some of these plans are well beyond their policy life. Town with plans like these are engaging in public outreach and surveying and incorporating several policy areas and data presentation technologies that have emerged as society changed in the last decade or two. Others are incorporating smaller amendments to include updated language related to renewable energies, data centers, accessory dwelling units, and conditional uses as a result of recent Ordinance Amendment 23. Others are reconsidering programs such as Transfer of Development Rights. We anticipate several of these plans coming to local and county public hearings later this year and early next year.

To see adopted town plans visit: Town Component Plans | Dane County Planning & Development.