Steps continue to be taken in the approval process of a new evidence storage building in Shawano. Tuesday, the Plan Commission voted unanimously to approve a zone change at that site, which is scheduled to be constructed on West Second Street. The common council still needs to approve the action on Wednesday. The request was for a zoning change from single-family and two-flat residential to planned development. That change would allow the construction of a 7,200 square foot building.
Before the vote took place, the County Maintenance Supervisor Steve Dreher answered some of the concerns that residents brought up.
“As far as air conditioning, it will be very similar to what a residential house has” Dreher said. “The interior heating will be infrared primarily. It is designed to heat objects and not the air.”
Other concerns had to do with privacy.
“The exterior lighting will only be on the street sides on second street and where there is already street lights. We did not want to flood backyards with light. As far as cameras, yes there will be cameras, but they can be tuned so that they are looking at the exterior on the ground and only the exterior on the ground.”
One question was brought up about having the location be adjacent to the jail, but that was removed from the table after the Shawano County Historical Society became upset because they wished to keep that site used for Herritage Park events only.
The new site as received support from the Sheriff’s Department, Public Safety Committee, the County Board and by members of the Shawano Police Department and Stockbridge Munsee Police Department.