Portage County Board of Adjustment approves special exception for holding tank at 6736 County Road J
January 19, 2026 | Portage County, Wisconsin
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The Portage County Board of Adjustment on Monday approved a special exception allowing Kenneth Anthony Krasinski, the applicant, to install a holding tank to serve a bathroom in a detached shop at his property at 6736 County Road J in the town of Buena Vista.
Board staff told members the county’s updated sanitary ordinance allows limited use of holding tanks as special exceptions when standard on-site systems are impractical. Staff explained the proposed shop sits north of the house and tying into the home’s mound system would require work under a driveway and extensive piping, making a holding tank the practical option for a single shop bathroom.
“Kenneth, raise your right hand,” the chair said while swearing in the applicant. Krasinski said the addition is primarily for convenience so his helper does not have to run back to the house. “It’s just more convenient,” he said.
Staff said the town of Buena Vista signed a holding-tank agreement and the applicant signed a servicing contract; the servicing agreement requires periodic maintenance and at least annual pumping. Board members asked whether shop drains or vehicle-related wastewater would go into the holding tank; Krasinski said the tank would serve only the bathroom.
A committee member moved to approve the petition (read at the meeting as PET 2026-061) as a special exception, with the condition that a Portage County sanitary permit is obtained. The motion was seconded and the board voted by roll call: Todd Knoefel, Barbara Lofsky, Brandon Taylor, Jason Dingell and Jim Garvey all voted aye. The chair announced the motion carried and told Krasinski he would receive paperwork in the mail.
The board’s decision was made under the standards the planning and zoning staff read into the record; the petition referenced a Portage County ordinance section read at the hearing. The chair reminded attendees that decisions of the Board of Adjustment may be appealed in court within the deadlines set by county procedures.
The board approved the Oct. 20 minutes, discussed tentative next meeting dates (March 16 likely), and adjourned after a short agenda.
Board staff told members the county’s updated sanitary ordinance allows limited use of holding tanks as special exceptions when standard on-site systems are impractical. Staff explained the proposed shop sits north of the house and tying into the home’s mound system would require work under a driveway and extensive piping, making a holding tank the practical option for a single shop bathroom.
“Kenneth, raise your right hand,” the chair said while swearing in the applicant. Krasinski said the addition is primarily for convenience so his helper does not have to run back to the house. “It’s just more convenient,” he said.
Staff said the town of Buena Vista signed a holding-tank agreement and the applicant signed a servicing contract; the servicing agreement requires periodic maintenance and at least annual pumping. Board members asked whether shop drains or vehicle-related wastewater would go into the holding tank; Krasinski said the tank would serve only the bathroom.
A committee member moved to approve the petition (read at the meeting as PET 2026-061) as a special exception, with the condition that a Portage County sanitary permit is obtained. The motion was seconded and the board voted by roll call: Todd Knoefel, Barbara Lofsky, Brandon Taylor, Jason Dingell and Jim Garvey all voted aye. The chair announced the motion carried and told Krasinski he would receive paperwork in the mail.
The board’s decision was made under the standards the planning and zoning staff read into the record; the petition referenced a Portage County ordinance section read at the hearing. The chair reminded attendees that decisions of the Board of Adjustment may be appealed in court within the deadlines set by county procedures.
The board approved the Oct. 20 minutes, discussed tentative next meeting dates (March 16 likely), and adjourned after a short agenda.
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