Additional jailer also approved, but citizen member on committee rejected

STAR JOURNAL REPORT

Revisions to the Oneida County Shoreland Protection Ordinance as they relate to boathouses were approved Tuesday on a 14- 6 vote by the county board.

The county’s Planning and Development Committee had forwarded the revisions to the full board in response to changes in state law affecting the authority counties have in the development of a shoreland ordinance.

Counties that currently have shoreland zoning ordinance standards that are more restrictive than established in the applicable state law and regulations can no longer enforce the stricter standards. Counties have until Oct. 1 to adopt an ordinance that is compliant with the updated state standards.

The changes approved in the county code related to boathouses include allowing a flat roof to be used as a deck. Boathouses will be allowed to be built with the maximum width parallel to the ordinary high water mark (OHWM) not exceeding the lesser of 75 percent of the viewing area(s) or 36 feet, not including the overhang and eaves that couldn’t exceed two feet, while the maximum length landward and away from the OHWM can’t exceed 35 feet.

County planning and zoning department assistant director Pete Wegner informed the board Tuesday that there are presently more than 20 permit applications pending in the county related to boathouses.

Boathouses, for which the maximum total footprint may not exceed 1,008 square feet under the revisions, are also limited to one story with the sidewalls not exceeding 12 feet in height as measured from the top of the wall to the floor. The language approved by the board also restricts boathouses to being confined to the viewing area and at least 10 feet from the side yard lot line.

ADDED JAILER POSITION

The board also voted 21-0 to approve a resolution from the Labor Relations and Employee Services Committee to add a corrections officer position, provided there are at least 20 state prisoners being housed at the jail.

Sheriff Grady Hartman has signed a contract with the state to house up to 100 additional inmates serving state prison sentences at the jail, for which the county will receive $51.46 per prisoner per day.

Hartman, who noted he expects the county jail to house more than 20 state inmates after this week, asked to increase the total number of corrections officers on staff by one to 26 because of the increase in inmates with the additional state prisoners, restoring a position that was cut in the 2016 budget.

The county jail, which also was able to house state inmates several years ago to relieve overcrowding in the state prison facilities, resumed housing state inmates June 7 when 11 of them arrived there.

Hartman said the jail is now up to 19 state inmates after eight more arrived Wednesday.

CITIZEN COMMITTEE MEMBER REJECTED

The county’s Conservation and UW-Extension Education Committee won’t be adding any citizen members after a resolution that committee forwarded to the board was defeated on a 10-10 tie.