September 8, 2025 · 5:30 PM

Plan Commission

Two Rivers’ Plan Commission denied an extraterritorial land split after concluding it would create a landlocked parcel. Commissioners also signaled interest in tightening rules on overgrown lots and fence setbacks near sidewalks for safety.

Key Decisions

Commissioners voted 6-0 to deny an extraterritorial certified survey map because the proposed split would create a landlocked parcel without the required street frontage—meaning the new lot wouldn’t legally function as a buildable, accessible property.

The commission discussed (but did not vote on) a possible new rule requiring a mowed perimeter around undeveloped properties as a fire break and for pest control; they noted they couldn’t find any Wisconsin examples, which suggests enforcement and fit here are still open questions.

Commissioners raised concerns about fences built close to sidewalks blocking drivers’ sightlines and expressed interest in requiring fences to be set back at least 3 feet from sidewalks—an issue that could affect many homeowners if it becomes an ordinance change.

Public Input

No public comments or communications recorded for this meeting.

Agenda Items

Review of Extraterritorial Certified Survey Map completed by Benjamin Reenders, Licensed Surveyor, Parcel 018-125-013-001.00.

Failed 6-0

The commission reviewed a proposed split of one parcel into two and concluded it would create a landlocked lot. Commissioners emphasized that lots must have at least 60 feet of frontage on a public street and said an easement doesn’t count; they also noted the owner’s adjacent southern parcel doesn’t solve the frontage problem because it’s in a different jurisdiction. They voted to deny the map, a decision that blocks the split unless the applicant redesigns it to meet access/frontage rules.

📄 See in official document: Page 1

Roll call vote 6 yes

Matt Heckenlaible yes

Pat Klein yes

Kay Koach yes

Kyle Kordell yes

Kristin Lee yes

Adam Wachowski yes

Discussion of Possible Ordinance Amendment to Create a Requirement for a Mowed Perimeter Zone Around Undeveloped Properties—For Purposes of Providing a Fire Break and Pest Control

Commissioners revisited the idea of requiring a mowed perimeter around undeveloped properties, framed as a fire break and pest-control measure. The chair reported finding examples in Illinois and in western states, but none in Wisconsin—an early warning that this could be hard to fit into local practice or enforce consistently. Staff said more discussion is planned, so residents with large vacant lots (or neighbors of them) should expect this to come back in ordinance form later.

📄 See in official document: Page 1

Discussion of screening and vision clearance regulations regarding concerns around fences.

The commission discussed gaps in the current fence rules after seeing fences built close to sidewalks, which can limit visibility when drivers back out of driveways. They noted the ordinance doesn’t require a front-yard fence setback except in specific vision-clearance areas (like corner lots). Commissioners expressed interest in an ordinance change requiring fences to be at least 3 feet back from sidewalks, which would be a meaningful rule change for future fence projects.

📄 See in official document: Page 1

fence height regulation Full history → pedestrian crossings Full history →

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