AMENDMENTS TO TOWN CODE

CAMPING REGULATIONS

At its June 17, 2021 meeting, the Town Board approved amendments to the Town’s Zoning ordinance regulating camping in the Town.  The following provides a brief explanation of the changes:

First, there were no changes made to camping regulations within Lake District (LD) Zoning.  Camping regulations remain the same for Lake District-zoned parcels. 

Second, camping regulations were extended for all other zoning districts which allow camping in the Town.  These include R-1, R-1C, R-2, R-4, R-5 and FR zoning districts.   Within those districts, going forward, any parcel will need to abide by the camping regulations found in Town Code Sec. 360-9C in addition to the applicable district’s existing use regulations related to number of camping units.  Campers will need to purchase an annual camping permit for $25 and the camping season of April 14 to November 30 will apply to the properties.  Off-season camping is allowed with a $10 permit for no more than two occurrences for a cumulative total of no more than 21 days during the off-season of December 1 through April 13.  Additional guest camping units are permitted with a $20/per unit guest camping permit.  Permits must be displayed below the address sign.  Additionally, campers will have to meet the water/septic requirements as outlined in Town Code Sec. 360-9C.  Lawfully existing camping units as of the effective date of the ordinance amendments may be considered a nonconforming use for camping season and Town water/septic requirements.

We appreciate your cooperation as we share these amendments to the Zoning ordinance with the community.  As a reminder, camping permits are available at Town Hall and at Pritzl’s Trading Post (at the customer service/post office desk).  If there are questions, please feel free to contact the Town.

The Lido Conservancy is an 850-acre conservation project, brought to life by the restoration of a lost golf gem and 17-20 single family homesites.  The attached is a Planned Unit Development (PUD) Proposal for the new Lido Conservancy development by the owners of Sand Valley.  The attached plan has been recommended from the Plan Commission to the Town Board for approval.  Please consider Subscribing to Updates on the Town’s web site, https://romewi.com/subscribe-to-updates/, to receive updates on any Town Board agendas or Town committee meeting agendas.  Questions regarding the project can be referred to Greg Broniec, Zoning Administrator, at (715) 325-8019 or Jami Gebert, Administrator, (715) 325-8025.

Click here to see a copy of the Lido Conservancy PUD Proposal.

Conceptual Site Plan

MEDIA RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Contact Don Ystad, 14 Mile Creek Watershed Committee Chair, 262-894-9423 or dystad@gmail.com

 COMMITMENT TO FERTILIZER ORDINANCE

LOCAL AREA PERFERRED APPLICATORS

Rome, WI – The Town of Rome is committed to improving the water quality of the lakes and streams within our boundaries.  As part of this commitment the Town, in conjunction with the 14 Mile Joint Watershed Committee, launched a Preferred Fertilizer Applicator Recognition Program.  Licensed Professional Fertilizer Applicators who provide services in the Town of Rome were asked to join the effort by committing to adhere to the Town’s Fertilizer Ordinance.  Below is a list of preferred applicators, who have pledged to follow best practices for lake quality and signed the commitment to the fertilizer ordinance.

Preferred Fertilizer Applicators:

·         NatureScape

·         Paul’s Lawn Care

·         Rapid Quality Lawn & Landscaping

·         Schalows Nursery

·         Spring-Green Lawn Care

·         Stay Green Sprinkler Systems

If you’ll be using a fertilizer service during the 2021 season, please consider using one these applicators.  If your lawn care provider is not listed, please ask them to sign the commitment.  Any additional companies who sign the commitment will be periodically added to the Preferred Applicator list, which will be kept on the Town of Rome’s web site.  Additionally, if you prefer to apply your own lawn fertilizer, we would strongly encourage you to review the fertilizer ordinance and use the Preferred Applicator methods.    

To review the Fertilizer Ordinance in it’s entirely, please visit Chapter 287, Article II Lawn Fertilizer Application.  

Disclaimer – The Town of Rome makes information available on its website and in media releases to enhance public knowledge and to provide a better understanding of the Town and its government.  This release is not advertising for any of the above-listed businesses, and the Town of Rome does not guarantee the work of the companies.  All information contained herein is supplied “as is” and the Town of Rome disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, related to said information, including but not limited to, accuracy, the completeness or suitability of said information, and any implied warranties of any provider or information contained in this release for any particular purpose.

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14 Mile Joint Watershed Committee is a public led advisory committee that was reconfirmed by the Tri-Lakes Management District at its 2017 Annual Meeting.  It is made up of private citizens representing Lakes Camelot, Sherwood, Arrowhead and Petenwell, as well as citizens at large, representatives of the Town of Rome, Wisconsin DNR, and Adams County Land Conservation.  The objective of the committee is to improve water quality in our Town’s lakes and streams, realizing that there are a number of contributing factors including, but not limited to upstream agriculture, shoreline erosion, fertilizer application, septic systems and water flow.

The committee seeks to build upon various groups to partner in its endeavor to improve water quality and the health of the lakes and streams in the 14 Mile Watershed.  Groups identified to lead this effort include the following: Lake Sherwood Property Owners Association, Lake Camelot Property Owners Association, Lake Arrowhead Property Owners Association, Petenwell and Castle Rock Stewards, Town of Rome and Adams County.

Synopsis of the Town of Rome Fertilizer Ordinance    

· Only use lawn fertilizers with 0% phosphorus or other compound containing phosphorus, such as phosphate.  · Only use lawn fertilizers labeled as containing less than 20% slow release nitrogen.  · Don’t apply lawn fertilizer when the ground is frozen.  · Be careful not to apply fertilizer to impervious surfaces including parking lots, roadways, and sidewalks.  · Buffer zones of 35 feet are required by state law for lakes, streams, wetland and ponds and fertilizer should not be applied to the buffer zones.  · Lawn clippings cannot be discharged into any drainage ditch, lake, stream or creek.

Remember these Best Practices in Fertilizing your Lawn     

· Soil tests should be done every three years to support fertilizer applications.  · Lake friendly slow release granular fertilizer should be used; quick release granular or liquid fertilizer should not be used.  · Nitrogen applications should be limited to 1 pound and 8 ounces per 1,000 square feet per application.  · Applications of lime will assist plants to take up more nutrients.  · Limit fertilizer applications to three times per year unless soil samples call for additional applications.  · If clippings are not bagged, two annual applications should be considered.  · If lake water is used for irrigation, two annual applications should be considered.  · Fertilizer should not be applied within 24 hours of forecasted significant rainfall.  Irrigation systems should not be operated within 24 hours of a fertilizer application except for a lite application to introduce the fertilizer to the ground surface.