Democrats Look To Repeal Shoreline Zoning Changes

Wisconsin lawmakers have introduced a bill to repeal shoreland zoning changes that were included in the recently passed state budget.

The bill seeks to undo changes that critics have argued will lead to overdevelopment along lakes. Its author, state Sen. Janet Bewley, said the changes prevent many northern communities from enforcing stricter standards to protect lakes.

“For the state to come in and say, ‘No, all of your lots can be chopped up and developed into smaller parcels,’ I think is an insult to the good people who work hard to come up with regulations that make sense for their own lakes,” said Bewley, an Ashland Democrat.

State Rep. Adam Jarchow, who authored changes to shoreland zoning that were included in the budget, opposes the repeal effort. The Balsam Lake Republican said the changes protect property rights.