APPROVED

PLAN COMMISSION

June 5, 2008

Troy Town Hall @ 7:00 p.m.

Hudson Wisconsin  54016

 

Members Present:     Ray Knapp, Jan Cuccia, Chris Mueller, David Wolf, Bob Rolle, Mark Mitchell, Paul Mahler

 

Staff Present:             Rob Jones, Cedar Corp., Josh Miller, Cedar Corp.

 

Recording Secretary:           Sharon Weide

 

Others present:          Charlie Macdonell, Shawn Coffey, Kim Coffey

 

Call to Order

Ray Knapp called the meeting of the Town of Troy Plan Commission to order at 7:02 p.m. followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

AGENDA: 

  1. Approve Minutes; 
  2. Acknowledgement of applications for action as regulated by SDO;
  3. Decision on issuing exception to design standards under SDO sec 135-12 - Shawn & Kim Coffey, 510 Orchard Dr.;
  4. Review and revise sections of draft Comprehensive Plan;
  5. Building Permits/Utility Permits;
  6. Committee Reports & correspondence;
  7. Adjourn;

 

1.      Approve Minutes; 

 

Minutes of the May 1 Plan Commission were reviewed.

 

Mark Mitchell moved to approve the minutes of the May 1 Plan Commission.  Bob Rolle seconded.

 

Jan Cuccia questions the wording of the 6th paragraph on page 5 relating to what the Plan Commission told Mr. Vince at the end of his concept review.  After discussion, the Plan Commission decided to amend that paragraph by adding the following words “but would need a building permit if total construction costs exceed $3000.”  Amended minutes passed, all in favor.

 

2.      Acknowledgement of applications for action as regulated by SDO;

 

There were none.

 

3.      Decision on issuing exception to design standards under SDO sec 135-12 - Shawn & Kim Coffey, 510 Orchard Dr.;

 

Rob Jones explained that the applicant is requesting an exception to design standards to reduce the side building line setback to allow for the construction of a garage for additional storage.  He reminded the Plan Commission that this request was considered during the May Plan commission as it applied under 136-6.g.9 of the Subdivision Ordinance (SDO).  This section would apply if the applicant had obtained an affidavit from his neighbor that would increase the side setback on his lot to maintain a 100 foot building separation.  He went on to say that if the applicant did not have consensus from the neighbor the Plan Commission could consider granting an exception under 135-12 of the SDO.  He then reviewed the items to consider in granting such an exception.  Ray Knapp then said that the Town’s Attorney had written an opinion that agreed with Rob’s assessment.

 

Bob Rolle questioned why the two applications the Coffeys submitted differed in the number of feet they were requesting a reduction by.  Ray Knapp read paragraph from the May minutes that said that the Plan Commission members felt they may be able to support a decrease in the side setback to 25 feet.

 

Shawn Coffey said that he is requesting a reduction in the side setback from 50 feet to 25 feet in order to build a detached garage for storage.  His contractor has said that if the Coffey’s raise the grade by four feet the garage will work in this area of the lot. 

 

Paul Mahler asked if Mr. Coffey had gone back to his neighbor and asked if he would consider increasing the side setback on his lot from 50 to 75 feet.  Mr. Coffey said no.  Ray Knapp asked if Mr. Coffey would read the letter from his neighbor for the Plan Commission again.  This letter states that the neighbor does not have a problem with a reduction in the side setback on Mr. Coffey’s lot, as long as his lot is not encumbered in any way.

 

Bob Rolle asked what screening existed between the two properties.  Shawn said that there is a line of trees plus a small nursery.  He stated that the garage will not be visible from the street. 

 

Mark Mitchell moved to recommend the Town Board approve a reduction in the side setback from 50 feet to 25 feet at 510 Orchard Dr.  David Wolf seconded.

 

Paul Mahler stated he would like to see a requirement for tree planting or vegetation maintenance.  Mr. Coffey said that there is a row of 10 to 15 cedar trees, that the area is surround by pine, and that he plans on continuing to plant additional trees each year.  After additional discussion the motion was withdrawn.

 

Mark Mitchell moved to recommend approval of the 25 foot set back to build a garage at 510 Orchard Dr because the adjacent landowner has no objection, there are topographical issues with the lot, the homeowner agrees to maintain the existing vegetative buffer between the garage and the lot line, it will not harm adjacent property values, and it is allowed for in the homeowners association bylaws.  David Wolf seconded.

 

Jan Cuccia asked if the bylaws allow this type of building.  Bob Rolle asked if there is a homeowners association.  Mr. Coffey said no.

 

Bob Rolle amended the motion to remove the statement about the homeowners association bylaws.  Jan Cuccia seconded.  Amendment passed.

 

Paul Mahler asked if the Plan Commission need to make a statement on the size of the garage.  Ray Knapp said he felt that would be related to the building code.  Shawn Coffey said the garage would be 28’ X 48’.  Rob Jones said that the exception to design standards would apply only to the site the garage would be built on, not the entire lot length.

Amended motion passed, all in favor.

 

4.      Review and revise sections of draft Comprehensive Plan;

 

Josh Miller reviewed the changes made to Chapter 6, Land Use, with the Plan Commission as a result of the commissions last working session.  During the discussion of future land use characteristics they agreed that chart 6-2 would be broken down between agriculture and residential percentages.  They also agree to revise the definition of “Residential-Agriculture” for future land use classifications only, by saying they are “areas suitable for future residential development or agricultural practices.  The Plan Commission went on to discuss residential land use, residential-agriculture land use, agricultural land use, commercial land use, institutional land use, and parks/ natural areas land use.  They finished this section by discussion the goals, objectives and policies.

 

The commission then turned their attention to the Transportation Chapter, also previously discussed.  Josh and Rob explained that they are still working on the most current edit of this chapter and asked for clarification of which transportation map the Plan Commission would like in the chapter.  The commission decided to use the WisDOT map.  Plan Commission members then reviewed the goals, objectives and policies section of this chapter.  It was determined that the number of policies would be greatly reduced in order to add clarity to the section.

 

At this time Ray Knapp took the opportunity to recognize Chris Mueller who will be leaving the Plan Commission after this month’s meeting.  Chris said that he appreciated the opportunity to be on the Plan Commission and stated that it had been very educational. 

 

Josh then handed out a revised draft of Chapter 1, Issues and Opportunities for the Plan Commission to review prior to the next working session.  Josh also handed out Jan Cuccia’s rewrite of “Historical Overview”.

 

5.      Building Permits/Utility Permits;

 

Rob Jones reviewed the following utility permits:

 

Permit #     Applicant                      Address                        Project                                                  Fee

U08-003     Xcel Energy                  1201 Livingstone Rd,     Installation of an underground                 $50.00

                                                      Hudson, WI  54016        electrical service under Old STH                                                                                                                  35 between Coulee Tr. And Tower Rd              

 

U08-004     St. Croix Elec.               1925 Ridgeway St.,        Installation of an underground                 $50.00

                                                      Hammond, WI  54015    electrical service under Boundary

                                                                                          Rd. 2100 feet south of CTH N

 

Jan Cuccia moved to recommend approval to the Town Board of utility permits numbers U08-003 and U08-004 for Xcel Energy and St. Croix Electric subject to the receipt of the funds.  Chris Mueller seconded.  Motion passed, all in favor.

 

Building permits were reviewed.

 

6.      Committee Reports & correspondence;

 

Bob Rolle reported that the Riverway Ordinance Committee met with the DNR.  He distributed a draft letter to Mr. Prosise (Bureau of Legal Services with the WiDNR) asking for a legal opinion regarding the application, administration and enforcement of the Town’s lower St. Croix riverway ordinance.

 

7.      Adjourn;

 

Jan Cuccia moved to adjourn at 9:40 PM.  David Wolf seconded.  Motion passed, all in favor.