Zoning Board

ZONING BOARD MINUTES July 9, 2025 - 6:30pm The Zoning Board Meeting of the City of Darlington was called to order by Chairman Steve Brunkow at 6:30 PM, July 9, 2025, in the Council Room of the Darlington Municipal Building to consider three (3) variance requests. Present at roll call: Homer Evenstad, Tim Hastert, Keith Nichols, Charles North and Steve Brunkow Also present: Mike Reuter, Mike McDermott, David Roelli, John Sonsalla, Joe Boll, Adam Standaert and Patty Lancaster from Wisconsin Whey Protein, Dan Dreessens from Delta 3 Engineering, Kim Winslow and Heather Blosch. A motion was made by Keith Nichols, seconded by Tim Hastert to approve minutes from the previous Zoning meeting. Voice vote. Evenstad, Hastert, Nichols, North and Brunkow - All Ayes. Motion carried. Public Comment – None Unfinished or Deferred Business from the previous committee meeting - None Chairman Brunkow read the variance request from Torrence Thuli & Angela Quinn- Thuli, owner of the property located at 153 E River Street. The request is for a variance to build a 28’ x 30’ – 2 car garage with a finished room above to look similar to existing house on the property, but there is not enough buildable space on this property to build this size garage that they need for their vehicles and other storage. To build the garage that will work for them, they need to build 6 feet into the 25-foot Spring Street front setback. Chairman Brunkow reported he received a letter from Ronald & Joan Blaser stating they have no problem with the building of this 2-car garage and Heather Blosch reported no objections were received in the City Office. Building Inspector Mike Reuter and Steve Brunkow answered any questions regarding the proposed project and the reasoning for the variance request, since they have had conversations with the property owners. Mike Reuter explained this is considered an “owner hardship” stating that he, as a zoning office, denies the variance due to the owners could have possibly made provisions earlier in this project. Steve Brunkow makes a statement regarding Mike Reuter’s decision. Following a brief discussion of the variance request, a motion was made by Keith Nichols and seconded by Tim Hastert, to grant the variance request to Torrence Thuli & Angela Quinn-Thuli, so they can build a 28’ x 30’-2 car garage on this property located at 153 E River Street. Voice vote. Evenstad, Hastert, Nichols, North - All voted Aye. Brunkow - Abstained. Motion carried. Chairman Brunkow then read the variance request from Wisconsin Whey Protein, to grant the building setback from Center Drive for silo alley expansion for product storage.  Dan Dreessens with Delta 3 Engineering provided an existing view hand out to all zoning members and attendees. Wisconsin Whey is requesting 4 addition silos onto the west side of the facility below the milk intake area. Mike Reuter questions Wisconsin Whey and makes a statement. Steve Brunkow questions Mike Reuter regarding setbacks. Chairman Brunkow reported no objections were received by members of the Zoning Board, and Heather Blosch reported no objections were received in the City Office. Following a discussion of the variance request, a motion was made by Charles North, seconded by Keith Nichols, to grant the variance request to Wisconsin Whey Protein for the building setback from Center Drive for silo alley expansion for product storage. Voice vote. Evenstad, Hastert, Nichols, North and Brunkow - All Ayes. Motion carried. Chairman Brunkow then read the variance request from Wisconsin Whey Protein, to grant the building setback from Christensen Drive cul-de-sac for building expansion and for silo alley expansion for product storage. Chairman Brunkow reported no objections were received by members of the Zoning Board, and Heather Blosch reported no objections were received in the City Office. Dan Dressen presents the proposed addition for the north side of building and extend silos as well. Steve Brunkow questions Dan Dreessens. Mike Reuter questions Dan Dreessens and states he has no issues. Following a discussion of the variance request, a motion was made by Tim Hastert, seconded by Keith Nichols, to grant the variance request to Wisconsin Whey Protein for the building setback from Christensen Drive cul-de-sac for building expansion and silo alley expansion for product storage. Voice vote. Evenstad, Hastert, Nichols, North and Brunkow - All Ayes. Motion carried. There being no further business, a motion was made by Steve Brunkow, seconded by Tim Hastert, to adjourn the meeting at 7:14pm. Minutes by: Heather Blosch, Administrative Assistant