DATE: April 24, 2008 Session of the Board
PRESENT: Bruce Duckworth, Chair
Richard Vogt, Vice Chair
David Wernecke, Alternate
Halsey Sprecher
Linda White
ABSENT: Robert Roloff
STAFF PRESENT: Dave Lorenz
Gina Templin
OTHERS PRESENT: See individual appeal files for registration appearance slips.
Duckworth called the session of the Sauk County Board of Adjustment (BOA) to order at approximately 9:02 A.M. He introduced the members of the Board, explained the procedures and the order of business for the day. The staff certified that the legally required notices had been provided for the scheduled public hearing. The certification of notice was accepted on a motion by White, seconded by Sprecher, motion carried 5-0.
The Board discussed the agenda and noted that the second appeal, SP-04-08 would not be heard, as the applicant withdrew their request. The board then adopted the modified agenda for the April 24, 2008 session of the Board on a Motion by Vogt, seconded by White. Motion carried 5-0.
Motion by White, seconded by Sprecher to adopt the March 27, 2008 minutes. Motion carried 4-0 with Wernecke abstaining.
COMMUNICATIONS:
None to report.
APPEALS:
A. Jackson Pellett (SP-03-08), requesting a special exception permit pursuant to s.7.05(2)(1)1 to authorize the location of an aircraft landing field.
Dave Lorenz appeared and presented the history and background of the request and reviewed the photos and video of the site then concluded with the staff recommendation of conditions to be placed on the request if approved by the Board.
Lorenz spoke of communications with the owner and had concerns of the 5 year period for the permit.
Duckworth asked of the hour limitation and the horsepower limitation was not included. Lorenz stated he felt those were merely overlooked.
Wernecke asked if any of the neighbors had concerns of the airstrip. Lorenz stated he doesn't believe anyone in the office has received any concerns.
Wernecke asked about the Town's opinion. The Board discussed.
Jackson Pellett, Applicant, appearing in favor of the request, stated that the video was taken approximately half way between the north and south end and would be unobstructed. He stated that the land strip would be solely for private use, not for friends relative or anything of that nature. The size of the plan would be a 4 passenger plane and stated that these types of planes would leave the ground anywhere between 100-400 feet, so the 1200 foot landing strip would be adequate. He also spoke of a noise issues and he has had no calls and has also checked with the Town and County to see if any calls were received in opposition. Because it is agricultural land he doesn't feel noise would be an issue and the closest home is to the South and he has spoken with those people and they have no objection to the request.
Duckworth asked who those property owners are. Pellett stated the last name is Cryer.
Duckworth asked if this will be leveled out. Pellett stated that he will not, and this year it will be cropped, after that, he will have it disked and made flat, and then plant grass seed next spring and keep the strip in grass. He also spoke of the conditions of using a landing field made of grass and the limitations it would pose due to weather and such. He confirmed that the slope is gentle and there would not be any lighting uses. He stated his current plane runs at about 79 decibels and compared to a Harley Davidson, which could range between 70-82 decibels at a 30 mph speed.
Duckworth asked about power lines. Pellett stated there are power lines on the east of this, which is on the other side of the road.
Sprecher asked about Sara Cook and the power lines at the end of the landing strip. Pellett stated he has spoke to her and she does not have any concerns. He also stated he spoke to Alliant about them and spoke of paperwork that they'll have signed once the strip is created and any cost to fix, replace, or adjust would be at his cost and he is in agreement of that.
Wernecke asked about the landing performance. Pellett stated it would depend on which way the wind is blowing, but the room needed would be 100-600 feet. He stated that he can hit the ground within 200 feet after coming past the power lines.
White asked if the strip will only be made of grass and not improved beyond that and if he would be ok with that being one of the conditions. Pellett stated that was correct and he would be ok with that being included in the conditions. He also spoke of the time limit of 5 years that was put in Planning & Zoning's recommended conditions. He asked for a 15 year time limit or as long as he owns the property.
Vogt asked about federal or state regulations that will apply here. Pellett stated there would not.
Wernecke asked about regular safety inspections of the airplane. Pellett stated there are, and those take place annually and the only maintenance you can do yourself if fill up your tires and change your oil.
Vogt again asked about the lighting. Pellett stated that there would not be any lighting and felt that could be placed it the conditions as well as hours of operation. Vogt also asked about conforming the 35 acre zoning regulations. Pellett explained that he was conforming.
Seeing as no one else wished to appear, Chair Duckworth closed the public portion of the hearing at 9:26 a.m. and the Board went into deliberation.
White stated that if it stays grass, she doesn't feel it will interrupt the agricultural use.
Vogt stated he is comfortable entertaining a 15 year time limit, as well as adding the conditions of the hours of operation, hours of flight, horse-power rating, and for the sole use of the owner, which are found in Exhibit II,3.
White asked about putting the request as non-transferable, rather than 15 years. Vogt stated he agrees with that.
Wernecke spoke of the time limits and why they are used. However it has gotten review from the Town and existing neighbors.
Duckworth stated he is looking to make it non-transferable if the other conditions are included.
Wernecke stated that he felt the other conditions spoke of should be included as well, such as the lighting, grass only landing strip, for use by Jackson Pellett only.
Vogt spoke of the sunrise / sunset issue.
Motion by White, seconded by Wernecke, to approve the special exception permit, removing 6 C, replacing it to read that the special exception permit is non-transferable, the hours of operation are 1 hour after sunrise to one half hour after sunset, horsepower restrictions, that the field will be used by Pellet only, that it never is anything more than a grass strip, and no lighting is allowed. Motion carried 5-0 .
The Board adjourned at 9:30 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Richard Vogt
Vice Chair