APPROVED             PLAN COMMISSION

                                                           March 5, 2009

                                                  Troy Town Hall @ 7:00 p.m.

                                                     Hudson Wisconsin 54016

 

Members Present: Ray Knapp, Jan Cuccia, David Wolf, Bob Rolle, Mark Mitchell,

                                 Paul Mahler, Joe Duerre

Members Absent:  None

 

Staff Present:         Rob Jones, Cedar Corp.  

 

Recording Secretary:     Becky Lopez    

 

Others Present:      Mark Warnken, Louie Filkins, Charlie Macdonell

 

Call to Order

Ray Knapp called the meeting of the Town of Troy Planning Commission to order at 7:00 p.m. followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

AGENDA: 

1.       Approve Minutes; 

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

3.       2nd Riverway conceptreview/public hearing for ordinary repair & maintenance determination-Mark Warnken, 150 Cove Ct;

4.       Building Permits/Utility Permits;

5.       Discuss proposed revisions to Troy Subdivision Ordinance;

6.       Committee Reports & correspondence;

7.       Adjourn;

 

 

1.             Approve Minutes;

             Minutes of the February 5, 2008 Plan Commission were reviewed. One change needed-     

             bolding of one sentence on page 5 relating to a motion being made.            

    

             Mark Mitchell moved to approve the minutes of the February 5, 2008 Plan

             Commission, with above mentioned change. Bob Rolle seconded. Motion passed, all

             in favor.

 

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

There were none.

 

3.          2nd Riverway concept review/public hearing for ordinary repair & maintenance

            determination – Mark Warnken, 150 Cove Ct,

 

Ray asked Rob Jones to summarize the thought from Cedar corporation. Rob said that this application was before the PC at the January meeting. At that time the Applicant was proposing some alterations to the roof, and some repairs to a shed, which is an accessory structure. Since that time, they have elected not to go forward with trying to obtain a Riverway Permit or a variance, and have decided to do only what is deemed ordinary repair and maintenance. They have since contacted the building inspector, and asked that the Plan Commission verify whether all of the proposed changes would fall under ordinary repair and maintenance. The Applicant is now asking the PC to determine what parts of this project are allowed under ordinary repair and maintenance. Rob then called the PC’s attention to the definitions listed on his report, which were:

 

·         “Ordinary maintenance and repair” means any work done on a nonconforming structure that does not constitute expansion, structural alteration or reconstruction and does not involve the replacement, alteration or improvement of any portion of the structure’s foundation.

 

·         “Expansion” means an addition to an existing structure regardless of whether the addition is vertical or horizontal or both.

 

·         “Structural alteration” means the replacement or alteration of one or more of the structural components of any of a nonconforming structure’s exterior walls.

 

·         “Reconstruction” means the replacement of all or substantially all of the components of a structure other than the foundation.

 

            Rob stated that the appropriate course of action would be for the PC to obtain clarification

            from the Applicant as to what they are proposing, and then make a determination on what

            would be considered ordinary repair and maintenance. The PC would then be able to 

            make a recommendation to the building inspector for the issuance of a building permit.

            Anything more than ordinary maintenance and repair would most likely require the

            issuance of a variance.

            

            Rob further stated that he believes that the Applicant has decided to limit their project to

            replacing the shingles, and sheathing, and doing an inspection on the roof trusses to see if

            they are damaged and need replacement. They also are proposing some siding and 

            window changes, and they would have to meet Riverway standards.

 

            Ray then asked Rob if he had received any guidance from the Town attorney on what

            would be considered a structural alteration. Rob stated that he had, and that she is fairly

            confident that replacing structural components of exterior walls means exterior walls, and

            does not mean roof trusses.

     

            Joe Duerre then asked if the building inspector told him why he was not ready to issue a

            building permit. Rob said that the building inspector said that he did not have enough

            information as to the extent of the work being considered pertaining to the roof

            trusses, and other work being proposed.

 

            Ray then asked the Applicant and his representative to identify themselves and to clarify

            the components of their application.

 

            Louie Filkins then spoke, explaining why the Applicant had altered his request to only

            ordinary maintenance and repair. Mr. Filkins stated that the project was growing, and

            therefore determined by the Applicant as not important enough at this time to put off the

            main reason for the request, which was to repair the roof before any substantial damage

            was done. He further stated that the primary repair needed involved the shingles, possibly

            the sheathing, and possibly some of the end trusses, but certainly no alteration of the  

            exterior walls. Ray then asked for clarification that the shingle colors would

            be in earth tones, and the roof pitch would not be changed, to which the Applicant agreed.

            Ray then asked the Applicant what other modifications are being requested.

 

            Mark Warnken then explained that some of the horizontal decking boards are split and

            they would like to replace those. The deck will stay the same, only a few boards need

            replacing. Also, about  three-quarters of the windows have rotting of the wood frames,

            and they  would like to replace those. They would like to replace some of the windows

            with windows that are larger than the current ones in order to let in more light and

            maintain the same type of horizontal and vertical look the current windows have. The

            siding is in need of repainting and is currently a gray-blue color, the soffits will need to be

            replaced. The shed has been removed from the application. 

      

            Jan Cuccia asked the Applicant if replacing the windows with larger windows would

            be considered structural alteration. Mr. Warnken explained that this would involve cutting

            studs and adding headers. Rob Jones stated that he believed that according to the 

            definition- this very likely would be considered structural alteration.

 

         Ray then opened the public hearing for a 2nd Riverway concept review/public hearing for

         ordinary repair & maintenance determination-Mark Warnken, 150 Cove Ct. He asked if

         there was anyone from the public who wished to speak, there was none, so he closed the

         public hearing.

 

         Ray then led the Plan Commission through the application requests item by item to

         determine which ones the Plan Commission felt fell under ordinary repair and

         maintenance. Each item was then clarified and discussed, and the consensus

            was that the following would be considered ordinary maintenance and repair:

·         Repairing the roof-including shingles, felt, possibly some of

                          the sheathing, and possibly replacing some rotted trusses to repair the roof.

·         Replacing the soffits which are rotted.

·         Repaint the siding in an approved earth tone color.

·         Replace existing rotted windows with non-reflective glass windows of the same size and structural opening.

·         Replacing a few split boards on the deck floor.

 

            It was determined by the PC that adding larger windows which would require cutting

            exterior wall studs and adding headers, would fall under structural alteration. This

            would require a variance. The interior modification of the home can be done with a

            building permit.

            

            Ray then asked if we were ready for a motion regarding this matter. The Applicant then

            asked the PC what obtaining a variance would entail in terms of time, as he does not want

            to put off the repair of the roof, thus risking major water damage. Ray explained that he

            would have to have another concept review before the PC, and probably two months later,

            it would go before the Board of Appeals. Realistically, it would take about three months

            to go through the entire application process.

           

 

 

 

            Bob Rolle moved that the PC recommend to the building inspector the issuance of a

            permit for Mark Warnken at 150 Cove Ct. under the following conditions:

                 

            1) That all shingles on the existing roof may be replaced

            2) That all sheathing on the existing roof may be replaced

            3) That damaged ceiling trusses may be replaced

            4) That soffits may be repaired or replaced

            5) That the existing siding of the house may be repaired and repainted in an earth  

                 tone satisfactory to the town building inspector          

            6) That existing windows that are damaged may be replaced in kind and size

            7) New windows may be added provided that no structural work is done including

                 cutting studs, adding headers, or adding jack studs

            8) Repair of the interior as requested

            9) Replace damaged deck boards

 

            Motion was seconded by David Wolf. Ray asked if there was any other discussion.   

            Mark Mitchell commented that it maybe should say remodeling and repair of the

            interior as requested. Ray asked if Bob accepted this friendly amendment. Bob

            confirmed that he would like it to read “Repair and remodeling of the interior.” Jan

            Cuccia said that on the “Replace the damaged deck boards” I think we need to

            capture that it’s a few boards, not a whole new deck. The notes will reflect that this

            was our intent and the building inspector will receive that guidance. All in favor.

            Motion passed.

            

            Mark Warnken then asked about the Riverway Permit Application fee wondering if there

            could be a refund of the original application fee? Ray directed the Applicant to write a  

            letter to the Town Board describing what kind of refund he is requesting and why he

            thinks the fee should be refunded.

 

4.      Building Permits/Utility Permits;

 

         There was one building permit for a new home. There were no

         utility permits.

 

5.      Discuss proposed revisions to Troy Subdivision Ordinance;

 

         Mark Mitchell reminded the PC that in September they had held a special meeting to go

         over the Troy Subdivision Ordinance. Changes recommended at that meeting were shown

         in blue on the draft copies supplied to Plan Commission members and copy printed in

         green were Mark’s additional comments and questions. The PC then spent approximately

         11/4 hours going over the Subdivision Ordinance, discussing changes, wording, and

         clarifications. All changes agreed upon were noted by Mark Mitchell. A question arose

         regarding subdivision landscape standards, and it was decided that this was an area

         requiring further discussion by the PC in order to create the appropriate standards and

         language. Ray requested that this item be put on the Agenda for the April PC meeting.

 

6.      Committee Reports & correspondence;

 

          Bob Rolle is expecting a decision on the legal questions they sent to the Attorney

          General by the end of this month.

 

          Ray mentioned that next Tues., March 10 at 7 PM there will be a public hearing on the

          reconstruction of Townsvalley Road and Tower Road, and he encouraged everyone to

          attend that.

 

          He met with St. Croix Electric and the DNR last week. The County was to be there, but

          was unable to attend, to talk about Riverway utilities, and this will probably be on the PC

          agenda in a couple months.

 

          Ray also reminded the PC that next month there will be Public Hearings at 6:30, prior to

          the Plan Commission Meeting to take public comments on the Comprehensive Plan.

 

7.       Adjourn;

 

          Jan Cuccia moved to adjourn. David Wolf seconded. All in favor. Motion passed,

          meeting adjourned at 9:10 PM.