Curtiss board mulls options to prevent turbines

The Curtiss Village Board decided to go ahead with a plan to institute an extraterritorial zoning resolution to combat the building of wind turbines in the area.

The board was educated on the overwhelming issues pertaining to the turbines that have been brought up by concerned citizens. Public works director Larry Swarr explained some of the issues that have been brought up at information sessions and said the resolution would allow the village to work with surrounding townships to provide a mile and a half setback around village limits.

Instead of passing the resolution at the meeting, the board decided to seek out legal counsel to ensure the resolution would be effective and legal.

The proposed resolution would allow the village to exercise land use control over new development that otherwise might be incompatible with the village’s future growth, according to the UW-Extension office of Sheboygan County.

If the village were to pass the resolution at a future meeting, the village, along with affected townships would need to form a joint extraterritorial zoning committee comprised of representatives from each entity involved. This process would begin with a notice of the village’s intent to expand its ordinance, “freezing” existing zoning in all or part of the extraterritorial zoning area. The village would have three representatives on the joint extraterritorial zoning committee while the affected townships would contribute three total members as well according to the UW-Extension.

The extraterritorial area must then be approved by a majority of the committee. According to the UW Extension, approximately 20 cities and villages in Wisconsin have passed an extraterritorial zoning ordinance as of July 2022.

The towns of Hoard, Mayville, Colby and Green Grove would be involved in the committee.

The village voted to table the discussion in order to consult with an attorney.

n The village allowed the donation of a helicopter landing pad on the parcel of land across from Mathias Street, just south of the fire hall. The land and gravel would be donated and would allow emergency helicopters to land at the site. The board said there are no ordinances against regulating where a helicopter pad could be placed but noted the area is mostly commercial and not residential.

n The board discussed the village’s current garbage disposal contract and noted that residents have been having issues with GFL Environmentals picking up items that are supposed to be accepted. The board said old couches, televisions or other bigger items are to be picked up by the company.

The village talked about potentially having a pile where residents could take their bigger items. GFL Environmentals would then need to make less individual stops and could make a stop at the pile to pick up the items.

That idea was put on hold for the moment as Swarr said he wanted to make sure the concerns were warranted before any action was taken.