Ordinance Amendment to approve a map amendment (rezoning) of lands in the Town of Ironton from an Agriculture to an Exclusive Agriculture Zoning District filed upon Gerald and Linda White, property owners.

Background: Gerald and Linda White own property in the NW ¼, SW ¼, Section 13, T12N, R3E, Town of Ironton, and has requested a map amendment (rezoning) of property legally described pursuant to petition 10-2023 from an Agriculture zoning district to an Exclusive Agriculture zoning district.  The intent of the map amendment (rezoning) being to revert the property to the previous Exclusive Agriculture zoning after a previous use has been discontinued.

Pursuant to Wis. Stat. §59.69(5) Sauk County has the authority to develop, adopt, and amend a zoning ordinance.  At a public hearing held by the Land Resources and Environment (LRE) Committee on September 26, 2023; the LRE Committee made findings pursuant to Sauk County Code of Ordinance §7.150(9) and recommended approval of the map amendment.

Pursuant to Wis. Stat. §66.1001 Wisconsin Statutes, any program or action of a local governmental unit that affects land use shall be consistent with the comprehensive plan.  The Sauk County Comprehensive Plan, adopted by the Sauk County Board of Supervisors in 2009, defines managing and focusing “on efficient land use patterns that promotes redevelopment of under-utilized lands.  It sets limits on outward growth, incorporates permanent land preservation techniques, and achieves livable communities.”  Upon evaluation of the request, the Land Resources and Environment Committee found that the rezone request to an Exclusive Agriculture zoning district maintains this objective.