APPROVED

 

PLAN COMMISSION

December 3, 2009

Troy Town Hall @ 7:00 p.m.

Hudson Wisconsin  54016

 

 

Members Present:     Ray Knapp, Jan Cuccia, Joe Duerre, David Wolf, Mark Mitchell

 

Members Absent:      Paul Mahler, Bob Rolle

 

Staff Present:             Rob Jones, Cedar Corp.,

 

Recording Secretary:         Sharon Weide

 

Others present:          Tom Kigin, Charlie Macdonell, Ron Burton

 

Call to Order

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

 

AGENDA: 

  1. Approve Minutes;
  2. Building Permits/Utility Permits;
  3. Riverway permit/public hearing – Steve Gianoli, 276 Cove Rd;
  4. Riverway review/public hearing for construction in a conforming area & reconstruction or expansion in a non-conforming area – Tom & Donna Kigin, 201 Glenmont Rd.;
  5. Committee Reports & correspondence;
  6. Adjourn;

 

1.      Approve Minutes;

 

Minutes of the November 6, 2009 Plan Commission were reviewed.  Jan Cuccia asked to replace the words "is in" on line two of item number two with the words "appears to be in".  Members of the commission agreed.

 

Jan Cuccia moved to approve the minutes of the November 6 Plan Commission.  Mark Mitchell seconded.  Motion passed, all in favor.

 

2.      Building Permits/Utility Permits;

 

Building permits were reviewed.  It was noted that there was one permit for a new home.  Ray Knapp asked for information on the refund for Brent Lother.  Sharon Weide explained that Mr. Lother had previously asked for an exception to design standards for a side setback and was unable to have the neighboring property encumbered by a deeper setback, and subsequently withdrew his request for a building permit.  There were no utility permits.

 

3.      Riverway permit/public hearing – Steve Gianoli, 276 Cove Rd;

 

Rob Jones reviewed the application for the Plan Commission.  The applicant has two requests.  The first is a permit for reconstruction of a stairway.  He reminded the commission that it was determined during the October meeting that the stairs were required to provide access to a principal structure and therefore,  they are would be considered part of the principal structure.  He added that the reconstruction would be in the same footprint and would be allowed under Section 171-L.3.

 

The second request is to replace an existing wooden tie retaining wall with a concrete block wall.   The wall will be no higher than 28 inches and will not exceed 12 feet in length.  He added that the applicant has specified in the application the size and location of the retaining wall, the materials to be used, and has stated that the construction will comply with manufacturer's specifications, as asked for during the concept review.

 

Mark Mitchell asked if the building inspector will require more detailed plans for the stairway.  Rob answered that the building inspector will require the same plans and specifications for the stairway that would be required of any other builder.

 

Ron Burton, representing Steve Gianoli, said that he has been in contact with the building inspector about the requirements and is aware of what the conditions are.  Jan Cuccia asked if the engineer was satisfied with the submitted plans, based on the scope of the project.  Rob Jones said that because of the size of the retaining wall detailed plans should not be required.

 

The Plan Commission then discussed whether the applicant had met the requirements set forth in the Riverway Ordinance.

 

Ray Knapp opened the public hearing on the proposed recommendation for a riverway permit for Steve Gianoli at 276 Cove Road at 7:18 PM.  No one came forward to speak.  The public hearing was closed.

 

Jan Cuccia moved that the Plan Commission recommend to the Town Board to issue a  riverway permit to Steve Gianoli, at 276 Cove Road, for reconstruction in a non-conforming area, to replace the existing stairway and the existing wood retaining wall, taking into consideration that the Plan Commission has determined that the stairway is required to provide access to the principal structure and should be considered part of the principal structure and taking into consideration that this project is not a detriment to the preservation of the view and the use of the river, the maintenance of safe and healthy conditions, prevention and control of water pollution, that the location of the site in respect to floodways, flood plains, slope preservation zones, and bluffline, taking into consideration the erosion potential of the site, the impact on terrestrial and aquatic habitat, the location of the site in respect to existing or future roads, the adequacy of the proposed wastewater treatment, and the compatibility with adjacent land uses. 

 

David Wolf seconded.  Motion passed, all in favor.

 

Ray Knapp explained to Mr. Burton that this project will go before the Town Board next Thursday and that the board will take the recommendation of the Plan Commission into consideration.

 

4.      Riverway review/public hearing for construction in a conforming area & reconstruction or expansion in a non-conforming area – Tom & Donna Kigin, 201 Glenmont Rd.;

 

Rob Jones said that the Kigins had come before the Plan Commission in August for a concept review. The proposed project consists of the expansion of a conforming principal structure.  During the August meeting the commission was concerned with the slopes on the entire lot and whether they would be considered slope preservation zones.  He also reviewed the information that was deemed necessary for a complete riverway application.

 

Mr. Kigin has since had his property surveyed.  Rob drew the commission's attention to attachment A of the application packet.  This attachment is a scale drawing of property with the existing house, deck, hot tub and addition documented.   Rob explained that the drawing also indicates the 200 foot ordinary high water mark (OHWM) setback and the 40 foot setback from the bluffline as previously requested.  Based on that drawing, he said that it appears the applicants are looking to expand their home slightly into the 200 foot OHWM setback.  If that is the case it would not be allowed without a variance.  He went on to say that if the applicant would be able to modify the addition so that it did not encroach on the OHWM setback it would be approvable without a variance.

 

Members of the Plan Commission reviewed Attachment A.  It was clarified that even if the house had been a non-conforming structure a variance would still be required if there were to be expansion toward the river.  Additionally, it was determined that the hot tub (with a foundation) would be considered a non-conforming structure since it does encroach on the OHWM setback.

 

Tom Kigin said that he was relieved to find out that the 40 foot setback from the bluffline was going to be met but surprised at the determination of the OHWM setback.  He went on to say that his plan is to move the hot tub towards the rear of the structure and reiterated that the deck will be removed and replaced with the addition.  He asked the Plan Commission for their opinion of whether or not he should request a variance.  Ray Knapp explained the application process for a variance, but offered no opinion as to the route the applicant should take.  Jan Cuccia said that one of the conditions of a variance is that the applicant needs to prove hardship. 

 

Mr. Kigin said they have not hired an architect yet as they wanted to understand where their buildable footprint existed before plans were drawn.  He did not want to spend money on architectural drawings that would not be approved.  He stated that he would be willing to reconfigure the addition so that it does not encroach on the OHWM setback.

 

Ray Knapp confirmed that the applicant would like the Plan Commission to consider this project as if all of the addition were behind the 200 foot OHWM setback.  Mr. Kigin said yes.  Joe Duerre asked the town engineer how the OHWM is determined.  Rob Jones explained and added that he was comfortable with the methods used in this application.

 

Ray Knapp opened the public hearing for a river way review for reconstruction or expansion in a conforming area for Tom and Donna Kigin, 201 Glenmont Road at 7:45.  No one came forward.  The public hearing was closed.

 

The Plan Commission then completed a final review of the specifics of the application,  the erosion control methods to be used, and the vegetation plan. 

 

Jan Cuccia moved that the Plan Commission recommend to the Town Board approval of a riverway permit for expansion of a principal structure in a conforming area for Tom and Donna Kigin, 201 Glenmont Road, taking into consideration, and contingent on, that the applicant has agreed to revise their plans and that all construction will be beyond the 200 foot ordinary high water mark and will not infringe upon it and that the applicant has submitted all information requested during the concept review and that the Plan Commission has discussed the following and finds no reason to not approve it: the preservation of the view and use of the river, the maintenance of safe and healthful conditions, the prevention and control of water pollution, the location of the site in respect to floodways, flood plains, slope preservation zones, and blufflines, the erosion potential of the site, the impact on terrestrial and aquatic habitat, the location of the site in respect to existing or future roads, the adequacy of proposed wastewater treatment, and the compatibility with adjacent land uses, that upon the County approval of the septic system that that be provided to the town.  Joe Duerre seconded.  Motion passed all in favor.

 

Ray Knapp reviewed for the applicant what that the Town Board will need to approve this proposal.  The applicant was also reminded that he agreed to move the hot tub into the conforming area as part of the plan.  Mr. Kigin agreed to bring a marked up drawing to the Town Board depicting the modified location of the home addition.

 

5.      Committee Reports & correspondence;

 

Ray Knapp reported that Teens for Christ has asked to put up a large tabernacle display for a few months next summer.  It will be a large tent like structure that will likely be temporarily spotted outside of their setbacks.  He added that Teens for Christ has agreed to contact all of their neighbors for input and that they have applied to St. Croix County for a special exception. 

 

Jan Cuccia asked when the Allison application for an after-the-fact permit for reconstruction of a deck would be heard.  Rob Jones said that he has been in touch with the applicants and that this will probably come before the commission in January or February. 

 

6.      Adjourn;

 

Jan Cuccia moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:02 PM.  David Wolf seconded, motion passed, all in favor.