Committee Members Present: Weise, Ashford, Cassity, Sprecher and Lehman (9:20 a.m.)
Others Present: Lance Gurney, Brent Bailey, Gina Templin, Brian Simmert, and others.
Chairman Weise called the meeting to order at 9:03 a.m. and staff certified the meeting had been properly posted. Motion by Sprecher, seconded by Ashford to adopt agenda as changed.
Motion carried.
The committee then reviewed the minutes from the September 8, 2003 meeting. Motion by Sprecher, second by Cassity to adopt the minutes of the previous meeting as presented.
Motion carried.
Communications:
Chair Wiese spoke about letters he received in regards to the rezoning to be heard during the public hearing for the campground.
Departmental Updates:
The Register of Deeds Department had vouchers presented. Motion by Ashford, seconded by Sprecher, to approve the Register of Deeds vouchers in the amount of $100.17.
Motion carried.
Mr. Bailey then spoke about budget updates and the proposed part time position cut and the stress it will cause the office and work flow. He also spoke about new project for next year and the ability to maintain production levels under the new system. He then presented charts comparing the staffing levels compared to the work flow and county population.
Ashford asked how many hours the part time person works. Bailey stated it is about 1400 hours and will be requesting that it is reduced to 1100 -1050, without reducing it to where the employee looses their benefits. Sprecher asked if the position is shared with another department. Bailey stated it is solely for the Register of Deeds Department and added to the department in 1987, in response to the 24-25,000 documents per year.
Gurney then spoke about statistics and increases for the Planning and Zoning department as they related to Bailey. Bailey continued to explain the recommendation of the finance committee. Ashford asked if the recommendation was from Finance or Administration. Bailey believed it was from Finance. Gurney spoke of the process of meeting with Administration prior to the Finance committee meeting.
Sprecher asked if a recommendation from the committee would be helpful. Bailey said it would help his cause, but not necessary today and encouraged the committee to do their own research. The committee then talked about cuts that could be made, however they wouldn't equal the total of the recommended cut.
Cassity encouraged the committee and departments to accept what Administration recommended and if he wants to save his position, he needs to come up with cuts in place of that. The committee continued to discuss.
Gurney talked about the issue of pitting departments against each other because of the budget issues. Bailey concluded with asking the committee to think about the issues and talk more about it at the next committee meeting.
Public Hearing:
Chairman Wiese called the public meeting to order at 9:40 a.m. The Committee introduced themselves and Chairman Weise reviewed the schedule for the public hearing portion of the meeting.
Templin then read the public notice for petition 22-2003, to rezone lands in the Town of LaValle from Single Family Residential to Agricultural for the purpose to permit camping on said property per Section 7.13(7) Sauk County Zoning Ordinance, Sauk County Code of Ordinances.
Mr. Brian Simmert appeared and reviewed and discussed the history and staff report for the proposed rezoning.
Ashford asked about the parcels surrounding and if they are owned by the same person. Simmert stated that those areas are owned by different people and zoned single family.
Wiese asked if any of the lots are developed. Simmert stated that a couple, but most are vacant.
Cassity asked how long people have been camping on this property. Simmert stated he wasn't positive, but believes it was after the initial rezoning. He also explained the ordinance to the committee in regards to camping and how the ordinance applies to the zoning.
Ashford asked about the sanitation facilities. Simmert explained.
Lehman asked about the zoning for a campground. Simmert explained it would be zoned Recreational-Commercial. Lehman asked if the property was part of the platted subdivisions. Simmert explained that it was not.
Mr. Harvey Reider, applicant, stated that he was the Department of Transportation engineer that built the relocated Highway F and the property was just a piece of the old pasture and made it the piece of property that it is today. He continued to give history of the property and stated he had been camping on it since 1969 with his family only and occasionally the boy-scouts and controls the access to the surrounding properties. He also spoke of the features of the property and surrounding parcels. He concluded by stating that he will continue to only camp on the property 3 times a year with his family.
Cassity asked about the camping stays and who owns the campers. Mr. Reider stated they get together Memorial Day, July Fourth and Labor Day and that he owns all 4 campers and they are only there on the weekends and removed immediately following the camping. Cassity clarified that the applicant is stating that the campers were only there on the weekends and Planning and Zoning came to the property and notified of the violation on the weekend. Mr. Reider stated that is correct.
Mr. Ed Bodendein, Chair, Town of LaValle, spoke of history on the property and surrounding lands and issues with public access. He then stated that the board agreed that the property should not have been included in the lake district rezoning.
Sprecher asked about the map included in the staff report and how certain lands are zoned. Mr. Bodendein was not positive.
Wiese asked if the property was divided off by the road or what the reason for the odd shape of the property. Mr. Bodendein stated he believed it was the old highway at one time.
Sprecher asked about the access to the properties. Bodendein tried to explain.
Cassity asked about the zoning for parcel 0285. Wiese stated that staff was checking into that.
Lehman asked about Eggelbrecht road and if it is a public road or private road. Bodendein stated that Eggelbrecht road is a town road.
Mr. David Biel, appearing in opposition, stated that lot 0285 is zoned residential and Eggbrecht Road is continuous and into Town of Winfield. He also spoke of the history of the property and issues with access via a town easement. If the property were rezoned to Ag, this would be a marketing tool for all the lots for a private campground and the entire area could be changed. He also stated that if the property was rezoned, he would request for his own property to be rezoned merely for tax purposes and camping for his family.
Ashford asked about the property he spoke about. Mr. Biel explained. Wiese asked about the property owned by Mr. Biel and whether or not they are part of the Lake Redstone District. Mr. Biel stated he believed they were when the purchased the property.
Ms. Arlene Hantson, appearing in opposition, stated she owns lot 13, Penguin subdivision and showed the committee a plat map for Lake Redstone prior to the reconstruction of Highway F.
Ms. Nancy Deschamps, appearing in opposition, stated she owns property at the other end of the lake and the property owners are upset because no one knew what was going on. The committee could have had hundreds of letters from owners if they would have known about it. Property owners do not want camping on the lake. She also stated that the county doesn't have time to inspect all sanitary facilities for campers and the lake has signs all over the lake that states no camping. She concluded by stating that the applicant has several vehicles and has been issue numerous citations.
Mr. Ray LeShane, appearing as interest may appear, stated that he has owned property on the lake since 1966 and supports what Ms. Deschamps stated and too quickly is loosing its country atmosphere, the lake, the lights, etc.
Mr. Reider, reappearing, stated that he never received a citation and Miller septic out of Mauston has provided him with all the septic services for camping all these years and water is provided from Hartje's in LaValle. He also reiterated that lot 0285 can not be crossed from the Highway without going through the DNR because of the controlled wetlands, as well as for lot 9 through 13, and only developable upgrade and all access to those lots are through his property, which is floodplain and feels it should be all zoned conservancy.
Sprecher asked about the other end of the lots and if Eggelbrecht road is an easement. Mr. Reider stated that they are not land locked and that is how they got their access, but the grade rises 85 feet from the top of their lots to where his property is.
Mr. Lance Gurney, Director Planning and Zoning, appeared as interest may appear and clarified for the Committee that Thursday, May 22, staff observed 4 trailers on the property. He also spoke about the camping permits and how to apply for them. Mr. Gurney also stated that Mr. Reider received a citation and was to appear in court on June 16th. He then spoke to the committee about when a town takes action and how that affects the committee and read from the State Stats 59.69(5)(f)(g), which talks about formation of the zoning ordinance and procedure.
Cassity asked if the applicant has attained any permits since then. Mr. Gurney stated no because the zoning does not allow for camping and that the department has postponed action in the courts until Mr. Reider had the opportunity to rezone his lands. He then reviewed some of the zoning on surrounding parcels.
Cassity asked if the applicant could attain a camping permit for other property he owns adjacent to the property in question. Mr. Gurney stated he could.
Wiese asked about parcel 0286 and the difference between platted land and unplatted land. Mr. Gurney explained.
Sprecher asked if residential sites would be close to the property in question because of the low lands without the ability to develop because of floodplain issues.
Ms. Betty Booz, appearing in opposition, questioned how all the lots along there are wetlands, how did his not become wetlands and did he say he filled in the wetlands? Wiese stated he is not familiar with the property, but felt when Highway F was relocated its possible that made his property higher.
Mr. Reider, reappearing, explained about the road reconstruction and how the process worked back in the 1960's and how it affected the property.
Cassity stated that he should explain if he was working for someone when this road project took place. Mr. Reider stated he was the Engineer for the State of Wisconsin Department of Transportation and worked on the road project to relocate Highway F. Cassity clarified that the applicant did not own the property at the time the Highway F relocation project was taking place.
Mr. Maurice Hantson, appearing in opposition, asked for clarification on how the rezoning would affect him.
Mr. Bodendein, reappearing, stated that he is confused on the map presented in the staff report and thinks part of the map is in the Town of Winfield and talked about the road within the Town of LaValle.
Seeing as no one else wished to speak, Chairman Weise closed the public portion of the hearing.
The committee discussed the testimony and the request.
Sprecher stated it looks like a change in the zoning. Motion by Sprecher, seconded by Ashford to rezone the property to General Ag. Lehman stated he agrees as this was not part of the original Lake Redstone subdivisions.
Motion carried.
Templin read the public notice for petition 23-2003, to approve by resolution the Highway 12 Corridor Growth Management Plan, which includes an overall vision and detailed recommendations for the entire 24 mile Highway 12 corridor in Sauk County.
Mr. Brian Simmert appeared and reviewed and discussed the history and staff report for the proposed resolution.
Mr. Mark Roffers, Vandewalle & Associates, appeared and spoke of the Highway 12 Plan, components, preparation and community participation.
Mr. Larry Volz, appearing in favor, stated that he is representing the Town of Delton and they approved and forwarded a resolution in support of the plan.
Mr. Lance Gurney, Director Planning & Zoning, stated he was asked by Pam Karg to present a statement she prepared to be entered into record. Mr. Gurney then read the statement.
Mr. Brian Simmert, reappearing, presented comments from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources in reference to proposed changes to the plan. Simmert stated that the changes requested can be made through Phase II of the plan or through the City of Baraboo's plan. He then referred the committee to page 114 of the plan, Action #2, and add wording to recognize the DNR's comment.
Cassity asked if you are going to take geographical areas or owner plots. Simmert explained that would be defined by each communities comprehensive plan and explained the options. Simmert then referred the committee to page 111, #5, (b), and an opposition to the road across the property by the DNR.
The committee commented that the communities including the DNR had the opportunity to make recommendations and suggest changes prior to the public hearing today.
Lehman asked about monies remaining. Mr. Gurney explained the balance of the money left and what it will be used for.
Mr. Volz, reappearing, stated that he is opposed to putting in the changes recommended by the DNR because the communities did not have it in their study before when the plan was reviewed and adopted.
Seeing as no one else wished to speak, Chairman Weise closed the public portion of the hearing.
The committee discussed the testimony and the request.
Motion by Lehman, seconded by Sprecher, to approve the Highway 12 Plan as originally presented, without the recommended changes by the DNR.
Motion carried.
The public portion of the meeting was closed and returned to regular session.
Mr. Gurney reviewed budget issues and the Finance committee meeting, which recommended a $25,000 budget cut. He also reviewed programs that were added to the department in the last few years, the number of permits the department processes, and staff services.
Cassity asked if the budget cut represents the vehicle that was removed from the request. Gurney stated the vehicle was already removed from the budget prior to presentation to the Finance committee. Cassity then questioned the levy of past years and cuts made for those. Gurney explained.
The committee discussed how the cuts will affect the services provided to the county taxpayers.
Lehman suggested raising permit and subdivision fees. The committee discussed.
Gurney then reviewed upcoming meetings.
The committee then reviewed a request for approval for two staff to attend the APA Upper Midwest Regional Conference in Milwaukee, October 22-24th. Gurney explained with the total of around $400. Motion by Sprecher, seconded by Lehman, to approve the request.
Motion carried.
The next meeting is scheduled for October 13, 2003. Motion to adjourn by Sprecher, seconded by Cassity.
Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted: Judy Ashford, Secretary