Resident urges Sawyer County to revisit hazard mitigation plan, driveway standards and add clearer construction notices

Linda Zomer, a resident of the village of Birchwood and property owner on County Highways F and DD in Edgewater, used the committee’s public comment period to urge the county to review its draft hazard mitigation plan and to improve notice about construction and road closures.

"On July 15, there will be a public open house on the Sawyer County draft of the hazard mitigation plan," Zomer said. She described reviewing past plans back to 2014 and noted prior drafts included responsibilities for nearly every county department to help mitigate risk. Zomer said earlier drafts called for a countywide driveway ordinance ‘‘to ensure that driveways were constructed to allow emergency vehicles to enter, leave, and pass each other, and that the driveways were maintained free of obstruction,’’ and she asked whether the county ever implemented that provision.

Zomer also told the committee that towns and local fire and emergency services may not have been contacted about the current draft, and she asked the county to confirm that stakeholders had been consulted. She recommended the county post more detailed construction and closure information on its website — including a time frame and map — to reduce calls to the highway department and better inform residents.

The committee thanked Zomer for the comments; the chair noted the upcoming open house and agenda scheduling. No formal action was taken during the meeting on the hazard mitigation plan or driveway ordinance; Zomer’s remarks were entered as public comment and the committee may address related agenda items at future meetings.