A zoning ordinance rewrite that has been in works for several years made it across the finish line Tuesday when the Ward County Commission approved it on second reading.

Discussion by the Ward County Planning Commission on ordinance revisions began after the adoption of a new comprehensive plan in August 2019, and the process included passage of a ballot measure in June 2022 that codified language related to county payment for right of way takings.

John Pietsch, representing Freedom Township, offered recommended changes at Tuesday’s public hearing on the proposed land development and zoning ordinance.

“We were only suggesting our changes,” he said. “Only one question needs to be asked: Is this proposed document better than what the county presently has? Yes, it is. The document that exists now is an old document, and the proposed changes and this new document have had a lot of time and effort put into it. It’s not perfect. No document is. It’s a living document, so in the future, it can be changed. But is it better than what we had in the past? Absolutely.”

Andy Fimrite, Burlington and Rice Lake, also urged the commission to pass the new ordinance, which he noted is important to help manage the growing Rice Lake area.

“Let’s get it done,” he said. “We really would like to see you guys’ due diligence in getting this passed.”

Freedom Township’s proposed changes included clarifying language in certain sections, adding a review of new farm buildings built with living quarters to ensure code compliance and setbacks for trees to avoid encroachment on neighboring properties.

Commissioners did not act on Freedom Township’s proposed amendments but approved the draft previously passed on first reading. The commission sent the proposed amendments to the Ward County Planning Commission for a full vetting before they come back for possible adoption into the new ordinance.