County waits on Hwy. 10 By BRIAN LEAHY of The Gazette Wait awhile and see what happens before taking an official position on Highway 10 bypass options, the county's top planner advised the Portage County Board of Supervisors. With various county committees having their own concerns on bypass routes, it's possible five or six sometimes contradictory positions could go forward, Planning and Zoning Director Charles Kell told the County Board Tuesday night. "It sends a mixed message to the public," Kell said. A bypass northeast of Stevens Point would impact the Jordan County Park, while sending Highway 10 traffic onto the Highway HH corridor to Interstate 39 would impact the Portage County Business Park - a $10 million county investment. The county Park Commission has formally taken a position against a northeast bypass of Stevens Point, because the route would result in a new highway corridor across the Plover River south of Jordan County Park. The County Board has also received petitions signed by about 1,800 opposed to the Department of Transportation crossing the Plover River, County Board Chairman Clarence Hintz said. Kell says he hasn't taken a position other than to write the DOT about access issues at the Business Park if the Highway HH bypass route was selected. The current DOT design option for the Highway HH bypass option calls for new cloverleaf interchanges at Interstate 39 so there could be a 65-mph interface between Interstate 39 and Highway 10, Kell said. The DOT hasn't looked at changing the design of the ramps and has indicated the closest access point to the Business Park would be two miles east of Interstate 39. While some may view having a business park fronting two four-lane highways a plus, it doesn't do any good if traffic from those highways can't get into the park. Lands' End officials are concerned about a Highway 10 detour impacting truck access to their new facility in the Business Park, Hintz said. Supervisor Richard Purcell cautioned against "jerking the state around too much," because the DOT could decide to spend money to build highways in Milwaukee if a highway isn't welcomed here. A preliminary environmental impact for Highway 10 Wisconsin River crossings is due by June, while an EIS for the eastern bypass alternatives could be a year off, Kell said. "I believe as a county we need to wait and see what those environmental documents say about those options," Kell said. Three possible new projects at the Business Park are under discussion and look positive, Kell said. Two are new expansions and the other is an addition. Other projects are progressing. Lands' End will partially occupy their new building in April, with full occupation in June, Kell said. Furniture and Appliance Mart is now in its new warehouse. Construction on the educational addition to Portage County Business Council building should start this summer. * * * AGRICULTURAL CRISIS: The County Board has declared Wisconsin agriculture to be in a state of crisis. "Because of the decreasing percentage of the consumer dollar received by the farmer, we ask that a special committee of the State of Wisconsin and the Federal Government should be formed to investigate as to why our farmers are receiving less than ten percent of the consumer's dollar for farm products…," a resolution read. Between 1980 and 1999, the number of Wisconsin farms declined from 93,000 to 78,000 and the number of dairy farms has dropped from 45,000 to 22,000. Prices farmers receive for commodities have remained stagnant or declined. * * * PLANNING GRANT: By combining their efforts, the county and local governments received a $504,000 grant from the state to use for land use planning as part of Wisconsin's Smart Growth initiative. Because of the intergovernmental cooperation, the grant application was the top-ranked one of more than 300 applications the state received, Kell said. With grant funding "gravitating" towards intergovernmental cooperation, Portage County's approach has drawn statewide attention. "If we can pull this off, I think maybe we'll set a new standard for planning nationwide," he said. * * * ZONING PETITION DENIED: The County Board unanimously denied a rezoning request that would have allowed a mini-storage and boat/recreational storage building to be built on Stanley's Lane in the town of Carson. The commercial rezoning would have been spot zoning in an area of the town not recommended for commercial development. * * * CAMP ZONING: County Board members unanimously approved amending A4 General Agricultural District and A2 Agricultural Transition District zoning rules to allow recreational/educational camps, therapeutic riding center/camps, commercial stables, tourist rooming houses, and campground and limited use accessory restaurants as special exemptions. The change follows a request by Wild Wild West Kampground and Korral to upgrade its facility in the town of Lanark to a Class A Riding Center and Therapeutic Special Needs Center. * * * JAIL AND COURT FACILITIES: The County Board approved a resolution saying it should "strive" to have any future jail building physically connected to the courts, court-related offices and law enforcement offices. * * * LINCOLN CENTER EXPANSION: Board members approved a preliminary funding agreement for the Lincoln Center expansion project, calling for the county not to spend more than $1.5 million and to evenly split costs with the city of Stevens Point. The project calls for buying two homes to the south, allowing for improved building access, bus and delivery drop-off areas, and Commission on Aging patron parking. The Lincoln Center will expand by about 17,280 square feet to a total of 33,197 square feet.