Lack of Enforcement of Langlade County Zoning
and Junk Ordinances
My comment is on the lack of enforcement by the County for
ordinances they passed. One is the Junk Ordinance which lists
the definitions of “junk”, specifically spells out what is not
allowed, and specifically spells out the consequences and
options that the County can take to enforce this ordinance.
As I’m sure many other readers agree, there are many
properties in this County that are cluttered with multiples of
junk vehicles, campers, cages, tires… and the list goes on.
With the high price for metals these days, there is no reason
why cleanup should not take place. If a resident refuses to
comply with the Junk Ordinance, the Zoning Office has the
option to get a court order for the clean up; there are recycle
businesses that could go in and clean up the property – and
the property owner would be billed – if payment is refused,
the cost can be assessed to their tax bill. Before moving here,
we contacted the Zoning Administrator and voiced our
concern about the junk that abounds in this county; we were
told about the Ordinance and that the County is cracking
down. Since moving here, we have gotten nowhere in trying
to get the County to follow their own ordinance – we have
been on the agenda of both our Town and the Land Use &
Planning Committee. Our Township followed the directions
given to them by the County, but when it came time for the
Zoning Office to hold up their end of the Ordinance – they
refused to get an order for property cleanup – and the
property in question remains an eyesore. When I stated to
the Zoning Administrator that the Ordinance is very misleading
to people relocating here, giving us the idea that the County is
cracking down and wants to stop these junk collectors, I was
told that if I think it’s misleading, then the County should do
away with the ordinance because they consider it the lowest
priority anyway. What kind of answer is that! The Junk
Ordinance was passed by the County Board, not just the
Land Use & Planning Committee!
The Land Use & Planning Committee also has authority to
enforce the Zoning Ordinance – which can control the number
of animals on a property, depending on its zoning status. I live
next to a property that is zoned AFR which has strict
instructions as to the number of animals allowed per acre.
I again met with this Committee numerous times, as well as
talking to the Zoning Administrator. A site visit was finally
made, but no followup was done to force a reduction in the
animal population on the property in question. I have no
problem with people having more animals then the Zoning
Ordinance allows if the animals are provided decent shelter,
food, and have the amount of land defined by the Zoning
Ordinance vs. being confined in areas so small they can hardly
walk around. That is blatant animal neglect! While I am well
aware that the Zoning Office does not get involved with animal
neglect, they definitely have the power to enforce the County
Zoning Ordinance, and by doing that, it would often time get
animals out of neglect situations. But again, the Zoning
Administrator refuses to enforce this County Ordinance. Even
when I told her I could have homes waiting to take in animals
that would be removed so the County did not have to worry
about that part of it, nothing was done. Again, a site visit was
made, but there was no followup or enforcement, and many
of the animals on this property continue to live in filthy,
cramped conditions.
By the way, it is the same property that is in blatant violation
of both the Junk and Zoning Ordinances.
I wish there were many more people in this County that are
sick and tired of looking at the glaring eyesores of junk – or
seeing animals kept in unhealthful and stressful conditions -
problems that can be addressed through the County
Ordinances in place.
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