The Viroqua Public Record — February 20, 2026
Housing Advisory: future land use & comprehensive plan
The Viroqua Public Record
Your digest of local government doings — February 20, 2026
The Big Takeaway
Viroqua's Housing Advisory Board is digging into some of the biggest questions shaping the city's future: where new housing can go, what kinds of housing are allowed, and whether the rules around short-term rentals and backyard apartments need to change. At their February 26 meeting, the board is reviewing a draft of the housing section of Viroqua's Comprehensive Plan — essentially the city's blueprint for growth over the coming decades. If you care about what gets built (or doesn't get built) in your neighborhood, this is the meeting to watch.
Money Watch
No specific dollar figures or budget items are on this agenda. But don't let that fool you — the decisions being shaped here will have real financial consequences down the road. Comprehensive Plan changes influence property values, development costs, and the tax base. The housing policies discussed now could determine whether your property taxes go up, stay flat, or get spread across more households as the city grows.
Coming Up
Housing Advisory Board Meeting
The Housing Advisory Board meets to discuss the draft Comprehensive Plan's housing section and the Future Land Use Map. You can attend in person or join via Zoom (Meeting ID: 894 0996 7681). There are two public comment periods — one near the start and one before adjournment — so you'll have a chance to speak up.
Short-Term Rentals & Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
The board will hear an update on feedback from the Plan Commission's February 11 meeting about both topics. Short-term rentals (think Airbnb-type properties) and ADUs (small secondary homes on an existing lot — sometimes called "granny flats" or "in-law suites") are clearly still being debated. No final decisions yet, which means there's still time for public input to shape the outcome.
The Quick Rundown
Draft Comprehensive Plan Housing Section & Future Land Use Map: This is the main event. The board will review the housing portion of Viroqua's Comprehensive Plan, including suggestions submitted by Gregory Splinter, Robert Karp, and others. The Future Land Use Map is particularly important — it's the document that essentially says "this area could be residential, this area commercial," and so on. Changes to that map can open up (or close off) where housing development happens in the city.
Short-Term Rental & ADU Update: Chair Sonya Newenhouse and the board will get a recap of how the Plan Commission reacted to proposals around short-term rentals and accessory dwelling units. This has been an ongoing conversation, and the Plan Commission's feedback will likely steer what the Housing Advisory Board recommends next.
One More Thing
It's worth noting that this board has eight members — a pretty robust group for a city Viroqua's size — and the fact that community members like Gregory Splinter and Robert Karp are actively submitting suggestions on the Comprehensive Plan is a good sign that people are paying attention. These planning documents can feel abstract until a new development pops up next door. If you've ever said "how did they let them build that there?" — this is the meeting where those decisions start taking shape. Grab a coffee, log into Zoom, and see how the sausage gets made.
The Viroqua Public Record is compiled from publicly available agendas and minutes from City of Viroqua meetings. We don't take sides — we just translate. Have a tip or a question? Let us know.
The Viroqua Public Record is an independent community summary of public meetings. It is not affiliated with the City of Viroqua.