Planning, Zoning & Land Records Committee


DATE: February 26, 2007

Committee Members Present: Sprecher, Ashford, and Wiese.

Committee Members Absent: Gaalswyck, and Lehman

Others Present: Lance Gurney, Mary White, Brian Simmert and others.

Chairman Wiese called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. and compliance with the open meetings law was noted.

Motion by Ashford, seconded by Sprecher to adopt the agenda.
Motion carried 3-0.

Motion by Sprecher, seconded by Ashford to approve the minutes from the February 13, 2007, Committee meeting.
Motion carried 3-0.

Communication:

The Committee discussed a contact Mr. Weise had received from Mr. Jeff Theiding regarding rezoning a roadway out of a wetland.

Business items:

The Chair signed the Wehler PUD which was approved at the last Committee meeting.

Mr. Gurney, Planning and Zoning Director, stated he had been contacted by DATCP to arrange a tour for an upcoming Land and Water Conservation Board meeting. They were proposing a meeting on June 5th with a tour of Sauk County sites in the afternoon. The tour would include properties with PDR easements and PUD (clustering).

The Committee was reminded of attendance on Wednesday at the "Growing Wisconsin" workshop in Oconomowoc.

Attendance at the WCCA Spring Conference on March 29 and 30 was discussed. Mr. Gurney and Mr. Brian Cunningham were going to be presenting at the conference. Motion by Sprecher, seconded by Ashford that 2 or possibly 3 staff members attend this conference.
Motion carried, 3-0.

The Committee reviewed the vouchers for the Planning and Zoning Office. Motion by Ashford, seconded by Sprecher to approve payment in the amount of $4,161.63.
Motion carried, 3-0.

Public Hearing.

Chair Wiese opened the public hearing and gave the order of business.

The item for review was Petition # 2-2007 - for approval of a rezone from an Agricultural zoning district to a Commercial zoning district for the purpose of expanding an existing machine shop on adjacent property by Darlene Hill, landowner, and Brian and Jody Woodbury, applicants. The property is approximately 15 acres in size (as determined by CSM 769) and is located in Section 15, T11N, R5E in the Town of Baraboo, Sauk County, Wisconsin.

The notice of public hearing was read.

Mr. Brian Simmert, Planning and Zoning Planner, appeared and gave the staff report and recommendation of approval. He stated that this request was not entirely consistent with the Town of Baraboo Plan as it requests rezoning of the entire parcel, not just the land needed for the business.

Mr. Brian Woodbury, owner of Gold Star Machine, appeared in favor. He explained that his business has grown and he needed to purchase additional acreage. He produced letters from surrounding property owners in favor of the rezone.

Mr. William Greenhalgh, applicant's attorney, appeared in favor. He stated that the Town of Baraboo has approved the request and the applicant was complying with all town and county regulations.

Ms. Jody Woodbury, co-owner of the business, registered in favor.

Mr. Randy Puttkamer, Town of Baraboo Plan Commission, appeared in favor. He stated that this was a low impact business and the owners had taken the proper steps to get this request approved.

Mr. Harry Woodbury registered in favor.

Ms. Darlene Hill, Town of Baraboo Chair, appeared as the property owner. She has removed herself from any town approval processes.

Mr. Lance Gurney, Planning and Zoning Director, stated the application could be approved as submitted or modified and approved. He requested applicant to respond regarding only rezoning 2.5 acres. Rezoning the total acreage versus 2.5 acres was discussed. Property assessment was discussed.

Mr. Brian Woodbury appeared again. He did not realize that rezoning only a part of the parcel would be an option. If his business expanded again he did not wish to start this whole procedure over again.

Mr. William Greenhalgh, then appeared. He stated they are requesting the entire parcel to be rezoned and it was not their intention to put any other commercial business on the property.

Ms. Jody Woodbury appeared. She also stated they have no intention of putting other businesses on the property. Rezoning the entire parcel would give them an opportunity to expand in the future.

Ms. Darlene Hill appeared again and gave some background on the property.

Mr. Randy Puttkamer appeared again. Whether or not they needed Town of Baraboo approval for any future use was discussed.

Mr. Gurney then appeared again. His only concern is the rezoning of the entire parcel.

Mr. Sprecher was uncomfortable changing the acreage at this point.

Seeing no one else wished to speak the public portion of the hearing was closed at 10:20 a.m.

Discussion followed regarding uses and short term versus long term problems.

Motion by Ashford, seconded by Sprecher to approve the rezoning of the entire 15 acres to commercial.
Motion carried, 3-0.

Motion by Ashford, seconded by Wiese to adjourn at 10:25 a.m.