APPROVED
PLAN COMMISSION
November 6, 2009
Members Present: Ray Knapp, Jan Cuccia, Joe Duerre, David Wolf, Bob Rolle, Mark Mitchell, Paul Mahler
Recording Secretary: Sharon Weide
Others present: Charlie Macdonell, Todd Bjerstedt
Call to Order
Ray Knapp called the meeting of the Town of
AGENDA:
1. Approve Minutes;
Minutes of the October 1, 2009 meeting Plan
Commission meeting were reviewed.
Mark Mitchell
moved to approve the minutes of the October 1, 2009 Plan Commission
meeting. Jan Cuccia seconded. Motion passed, all in favor.
2. Building Permits/Utility Permits;
Members of the Plan Commission reviewed the building
permits. There was one new home this
month. Jan Cuccia questioned the permits
for a deck and a storage shed for Bob Vince as the construction appears to be
in the riverway. Ray Knapp will ask the
building inspector to provide an explanation prior to the town board meeting.
The following utility permits were submitted:
Permit # Applicant Address Project Fee
U09-008 St.
Croix Gas 415 2nd
U09-009 St.
Croix Elec. Coop 1925 Ridgeway
Boundary
Road
Mark Mitchell
moved to recommend approval of the November 2009 utility permits as recommended
by the town engineer. David Wolf
seconded. Ray Knapp offered a friendly
amendment to list permit numbers U09-008 and U09-009. Motion passed, all in favor.
3. Discuss density standards related to future commercial development;
Bob Rolle explained that the Commercial Zoning
Committee (CZC) was looking for direction from the Plan Commission and the Town
Board on permitted density within the proposed future commercial district. He noted that the regulation of density is a
"money" issue and is similar to the density and TDR currently
contained within the town’s subdivision ordinance. He explained that the majority of
municipalities use a combination of building footprint and hard surface
(parking lots, private roads and building footprints) as the limiting factor in
commercial development.
He went on to say that the CZC feels that this issue
is sensitive enough that it should be resolved by a recommendation from the
Plan Commission and subsequently a decision by the Town Board. He was not looking for a final recommendation
at the conclusion of this meeting but he felt that a recommendation should come
soon and that public hearings should be conducted within the next three to six
months if not sooner.
He then reviewed the density standards currently in
place for
Joe Duerre stated that the use of development rights
in commercial zoning was foreign to him and that he felt guidelines should be
developed that simply take into account the amount of impervious surface and
storm water management in order control development. Ray Knapp explained that the use of
development rights created a financial incentive to farmers to keep land out of
development therefore helping to maintain the rural atmosphere desired by the
town. Both Charlie Macdonell and Todd
Bjerstedt, members of the CZC, explained that there is a balance that must be
maintained in order to make a commercial operation marketable to a developer,
while being consistent with town’s long range vision.
Jan Cuccia stated that she feels that the percentage
of open space should be considerably higher than the percentage of hard surface
(80/20 to 70/30 respectively). Jan said
she believes that the town should envision what it wants to look like in 50
years and then determine how we get there.
The remaining members of the Plan Commission felt that the percentage of
open space should be lower in comparison to hard surface (60/40 to 40/60 respectively). All members felt that the open space should
be used to buffer commercial development from view and that any buildings
should be low profile. Jan added that
energy efficiency should be encouraged.
Charlie Macdonell said that this issue isn't
something that the CZC is going to determine, but rather the Plan Commission
and the Town Board should set the guidelines and the standards. Ray summarized the general sentiment
expressed by the Plan Commission which is to allow a commercial density that is
competitive, but creates commercial developments that blend into the rural nature
of our community. He reiterated that
when the CZC has completed their document it will be reviewed by the Plan
Commission and the Town Board. Comments
from both will be maintained with the document so that when the time is right
to move forward with the comprehensive zoning ordinance it will be easy for
people to pick up and complete.
4. Committee Reports & correspondence;
Paul Mahler handed out a document explaining that
the Wisconsin Court of Appeals had ruled that a homeowner who removed and reconstructed
a non-conforming deck without a permit, by a lake, should not be granted a
variance as the hardship was self-inflicted.
Jan Cuccia reported that Becky Lopez had handed in
her resignation as Plan Commission recording secretary. The town is actively looking for a replacement
and hopeful that
5. Adjourn;
Jan Cuccia moved to adjourn the November 6, 2009 Plan Commission
meeting at 8:42 PM. David Wolf seconded. Motion passed, all in favor.