Appeal 3723. Appeal by Dane County Parks for variance to allow alternate
access and viewing corridor in the shoreland vegetative buffer zone provided
by 11.04, Dane County Code of Ordinances, to permit redevelopment of Fish
Camp County Park public access to the Yahara River at 3359 Fish Camp Rd in
the NE ¼ of the SW ¼, Section 13, Town of Dunn.
Board of Adjustment
Sponsors:
Chair Long opened the public hearing.
Corrigan recused himself from the appeal and stated he would not be participating in the
discussion or action.
Assistant Zoning Administrator (AZA) Hilbert presented a Staff Report reporting facts of
the case.
IN FAVOR: Alex DeSmidt, Dane County Parks Planner, spoke in favor of the variance
request.
ZONING ADMINISTRATOR’S DESIGNEE'S COMMENTS: Hilbert stated that the
shoreland ordinance as written does not easily address public property and sites
designed to provide public access to resources and that State law does not allow the
county to be more lax or strict than the State model ordinance, but does allow to address
unique situations through variances.
OPPOSED: [None. The appellant waived his rebuttal/closing statement.]
Finding of Fact:
Existing:
•Previous site of a 1930’s WPA work program to house a year-round carp stocking and
harvesting operation for the area.
•99-acre County Park located on the northwest shore of Lake Kegonsa at the inlet of the
Yahara River.
•Offers a boat launch with a protected launching area, launch piers, restrooms, fish
cleaning facility, accessible fishing pier, and a parking area.
•Picnic area along the lakeshore provides an area for outings and shoreline fishing with
fully accessible fishing piers.
•Canoe launch is also available on the Yahara River.
Proposed
•Installation of an accessible kayak launch to replace one of the existing fishing piers on
the Yahara River.
•New walk-in water access ramp.
•Replacement of existing floating fishing pier.
•New lake management ramp to support aquatic plant management operations.
•Multi-use trail improvements.
•Expanded parking.