DATE: November 22, 2005
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Gaalswyk, Sprecher, Ashford, Wiese and Lehman.
OTHERS PRESENT: Lance Gurney, Brian Simmert, Mary White, Lowell Haugen, Joe Vanberkel and others.
In the absence of Chairman Wiese, Ms. Ashford called the meeting to order at approximately 9:00 a.m. and certified compliance with the open meetings law.
Motion by Sprecher, seconded by Gaalswyck to adopt the agenda as submitted. Mr. Gurney requested that items 9d. and 9e. be moved up on the agenda. The motion to re-arrange the items was carried, 4-0.Motion by Gaalswyck, seconded by Ashford to approve the amended agenda with the addition of item e. as presented.
Motion carried 4-0.
Motion by Gaalswyck, seconded by Ashford to approve the minutes of the November 8, 2005 Committee meeting.
Mr. Gurney stated that he had some but they were relative to the public hearing.
No business items.
The first item for discussion was the review and possible action on amendments to the Town of Merrimac Zoning Ordinance. Mr. Tim McCumber, Town Administrator, appeared. He explained that the town attorney had recommended a transfer of approval authority for land use permits for conditional uses from the Board of Appeals to the Planning and Zoning Commission. The Commission is more of a legislative body. The Planning and Zoning Commission would make recommendations to the Town Board, with the Board still having final approval authority. Motion by Gaalswyck , seconded by Sprecher to approve the amendments to the Town of Merrimac Zoning Ordinance as requested. Motion carried 4-0. Mr. Gurney will draft a resolution to the County Board for the December meeting.
The next item, a rezone requested filed by Don and Delores Strohbeen in the Town of Baraboo, had been tabled at the September 27, 2005 meeting due to the fact that the Town had not taken any action on it. The Town of Baraboo has since approved the request. Motion by Gaalswyck, seconded by Ashford to approve the request. Mr. Gurney stated it was consistent with the town's comprehensive plan.
Motion carried 4-0.
Discussion followed regarding Mr. Gurney's and other County representatives' presentation to the recent Town's Association. Mr. Sprecher stated that the presentation was well received.
Mr. Gurney had also made a presentation to the Wisconsin Home Builders and had a good dialogue with that group regarding comprehensive planning. He reported that the Badger Committee toured the plant last week and the BIG Committee met last week also. They were waiting on the completion of a cultural and historical study being done on the property. He also reported the there would be a public hearing in December regarding the Airport Overlay Ordinance with adoption in January.
Removal of structures at the Badger plant was discussed.
The Committee then discussed issues relative to wild animal facilities and the use of a duplex in the Town of Excelsior. This was a continuation of discussion held at the last Committee meeting. Mr. Gurney has discussed this item with the Corporation Counsel. There were two zoning issues involved. One was using the structure as a duplex. The other issue was regarding the educational center for big cats. In the ordinance under general provisions special exceptions can be used for educational institutions. The Corporation Counsel feels this use falls under that category and will require BOA approval. The BOA would be able to place restrictions on that use. Wildlife preserves are allowed in the Recreational-Commercial district. Which would require a zoning change. It was suggested that a length of one year be put on any approval. A BOA public hearing would give adjoining property owners a chance to voice their concerns.
Mr. Dave Tremble, Land Preservation Specialist, then appeared. He was requesting action on a proposed amendment allowing property directly adjacent to the Baraboo Range to be included in the purchase of development rights. This money would be coming from Department of Transportation funding. He distributed several examples for review. Motion by Gaalswyck, seconded by Ashford to approve the amendment that DOT money be used to purchase parcels that are partly in and partly out of the BNNRL. Mr. Tremble presented a resolution on this issue. Mr. Gaalwyck withdrew his original motion. The Committee reviewed the resolution approving language amending the Sauk County Baraboo Range Protection Plan. This resolution was to be signed by the Baraboo Range Commission. The original motion was brought back by Mr. Gaalswyck, seconded by Ashford.
Motion carried 5-0.
Chairman Weise called the public hearing to order.
The petition to be heard was # 20-2005 - A petition by the Sauk County Planning and Zoning Department to make amendments to Chapters 7 and 22 of the Sauk County Code of Ordinances relative to permitting the use of Planned Unit Development (PUD's) in Sauk County's rural areas as an overlay zoning district. This request also includes the creation of a new zoning district referred to as "Rural Community" that acknowledges unincorporated hamlet areas in Sauk County as mixed-use developments and allows for continued development or redevelopment consistent with the hamlets historic rural character. The primary intent of the amendments is to provide for density-based development options in accordance with applicable county and town as well as conformance with the Farmland Preservation Program and Sauk County's Ag. Preservation Plan.
The Committee was introduced and the notice read.
Mr. Brian Simmert, Planner, appeared and gave the staff report. The staff recommendation was for approval of the amendments.
Mr. Simmert stated that the following had submitted correspondence in support of the amendment, Joe Prem, Town of Franklin Chair; Janell Bindle, Town of Franklin, Lanell Jaquish, Steve Luther, and Paul Dietman. He had also received a phone call from Linda Borleske representing the Town of Reedsburg Plan Commission in support.
Ms. Ashford, Town of Merrimac Clerk, stated that the Town of Merrimac already had a PUD code in effect, but the shoreland areas would be covered under the county PUD ordinance.
Mr. Tim Stone, Town of Fairfield Chair, registered in favor, but did not wish to speak.
Mr. David Wernecke, Town of Greenfield Plan Commission, appeared in favor. He stated that this amendment was a critical tool for adoption of a township plan. This gives flexibility for towns to protect farms and forest lands while reducing unnecessary conflict between towns, property owners and the County.
Mr. David Lohr, Town of Sumpter, appeared in favor. He feels this is also a tool that will give the town flexibility to handle land use issues, avoid conflict and have a better system to handle concerns of the community and growth in the town.
Mr. Marcus Gumz registered as interest may appear.
Seeing no one else wished to speak, Chairman Wiese closed the public portion of the hearing.
Mr. Gurney stated the Committee was not being asked to take action at this time. On December 13 the Committee will have a joint meeting with the Land Conservation Department.
Upcoming conferences and meetings were discussed.
The Committee reviewed the Planning and Zoning monthly invoices. Motion by Gaalswyck, seconded by Sprecher to approve the vouchers in the amount of $17,695.61.
Motion carried, 5-0.
The next meeting is scheduled for December 13, 2005.
Motion by Gaalswyck, seconded by Sprecher to adjourn.
Motion carried, 5-0.
Respectfully Submitted: Halsey Sprecher