Restrictions on land use and the acreage and number of parcels a landowner will be able to sell were the topics of most concern among the 37 residents who attended the Farmington Plan Commission’s public information meeting Feb. 17 at the Mindoro Elementary School cafeteria.

The town is in the process of developing its first comprehensive plan. The purpose of the meeting was to review the first draft of the plan and receive input from town residents and landowners.

Peter Fletcher of the Mississippi Regional Planning Commission presented the plan, which addresses the nine elements required by state law, namely, issues and opportunities, housing, transportation, utilities and community facilities, land use, agricultural, natural and cultural resources, economic development, intergovernmental cooperation and implementation.

The land-use element and the land-use map are generally viewed as the most significant components of the comprehensive plan. The draft land-use map prepared by the Plan Commission is very similar to the current zoning map that has been in place since the early 1980s. The draft map designates the majority of the town as Exclusive Agriculture. The majority of residents present at the meeting voted to have the Plan Commission consider more land-use options in the final plan.

The unincorporated community of Mindoro, served by public sewer and water, has been designated as the primary area for future residential, commercial and industrial development. A location for a business district has been designated along Highway 108 and west along Highway D as well as an area for a business/industrial park.

Numerous areas for residential and multifamily housing also have been identified in Mindoro. It is intended that by focusing more concentrated development in the unincorporated community of Mindoro that more agricultural land and open space can be preserved throughout the town, which is consistent with resident input received from public meetings and survey results. Other areas designated for future residential development are the unincorporated communities of Burr Oak and Stevenstown.

Other residents present at the meeting spoke in support of the proposed public library. The proposal is to have a branch of the La Crosse County Library System in the community, with land donated by an anonymous benefactor and the building to be constructed by the town. Library services, including staffing, would be provided by the county.

For those unable to attend the information meeting Feb. 17, the plan can be reviewed online at www.co.la-crosse.wi.us. Select “comprehensive plan” on the menu at

left and then click on “municipality plans index” which links to the “Draft Town of Farmington Comprehensive Plan.“

It was also noted that the initial two-year term of Tom Brindley on the Plan Commission will expire in April 2009. Brindley currently chairs the Plan Commission.

The next person appointed to this position will serve a three-year term. Anyone interested in serving on the commission is encouraged to submit a letter of interest to Town Chairman Mike Hesse, W4112 Hwy. T, Mindoro, WI 54644.

In addition to Brindley, current members of the Plan Commission are Roxie Storandt, Mike Raabe, Paul Lash and Steve Kirchner, who also serves as East Supervisor on the Farmington Town Board.

Plan Commission meetings are held at 7:30 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month in the Farmington Town Hall and are open to the public.