LAND RESOURCES & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE

SAUK COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

LAND RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE

Thursday, March 30, 2021

County Board Room

Sauk County West Square Building

 

Land Resources and Environment (LRE) Committee members present:  M. Krueger, R. Nelson, R. Curry, P. Kinsman, B. Lohr, V. McAuliffe, R. Puttkamer, D. Polivka

 

Others present:  M Schlupp, B. Simmert, G. Templin, L. Digmann, C. Fowler, J. Bula

 

Absent:  None.

 

At 9:00 am Chair Krueger called the Land Resources and Environment Committee meeting to order and certified to be in compliance with the Open Meetings Law. 

 

Adopt agenda   Motion by Nelson/McAuliffe to adopt the agenda. Motion carried, all in favor.                   

 

Adopt minutes of previous meeting- March 11, 2021- Motion by Curry/Puttkamer to approve the March 11, 2021 LRE Committee meeting minutes. Motion carried, all in favor                       

 

Public comment None

 

Communications

Schlupp provided communications relating to Chapter 26 ordinance changes.  Simmert provided communications relating to Bluffview.

 

Review and approval of an amendment to the Town of Merrimac Zoning Ordinance pursuant to Wis. Stat. s. 60.23(3).  Simmert presented the amendment to the Town of Merrimac Zoning Ordinance pursuant to Wis.Stat.s. 60.23(3). Motion by McAuliffe/Nelson to approve an amendment to the Town of Merrimac Zoning Ordinance, as presented Motion carried, all in favor

 

Public hearing: To begin at approximately 9:15 a.m. (Committee to consider and take possible action at the conclusion of the respective hearing)

a. Petition 3-2021 Ordinance Amendment. An Amendment to Chapter 26, the Sauk County Agricultural Performance Standards and Manure Management Ordinance and request to Amend Chapter 20, Uniform Citation Ordinance.   Schlupp summarized the staff memo from Director Wilson recommending postponement of the ordinance amendment until February 22, 2022 in order to work with farm groups and the greater farming community to develop alternatives to the proposed changes presented at the February 23, 2021 public hearing. 

 

Brady Peper, in opposition, spoke of the farm bureau being a large organization. Peper noted that the Bureau tried to get feedback from farmers around the county, and it is believed that no one is in favor.
 

MikeTurner, in opposition, stated he is a dairy farmer and serves as SCFB president. Turner stated that he received feed-back from farmers and would like to have the department enforce what is on the books now before they draft a new ordinance.  Turner felt the ordinance penalizes everyone for a few that violate.

Fritz Wyttenbach, in opposition, thanked Melissa and staff for the work they are doing and spoke of working with staff to fix a problem.  Wyttenbach suggested listening to younger generation and future of farming.

 

Seeing as no one else wished to appear, Chair Krueger closed the public portion of the meeting at 9:40 a.m.

 

Polivka spoke about the need to enforce the current ordinance.

Lohr talked about the work of the staff, but feels there are no dairy farms left and it is because of excess regulation and a changing market.  Lohr suggested using the laws in place and enforcement action against those that don’t comply.

Motion by Lohr/Polivka to table the petition.  Motion failed, 3-4 with Polivka, Lohr, and Curry, in favor, Krueger, Kinsman, McAuliffe, and Nelson in opposition.  Motion fails.

Nelson feels there are bigger forces attributing to the decline in farming than county enforcement and he supports their effort to bring something back and would support an effort to postpone.

Puttkamer stated he received much feedback on this petition, and feels if enforcement could take place versus more regulation, the farming community would rather have that.  Puttkamer encourage the department to keep looking into this, but work with the farming community as they move forward.

McAuliffe concurs with Nelson’s statement and would support a motion to postpone until next February, but not table.

Curry stated he agrees that to put more regulation in place would be too much, but enforce what is in effect.

Kinsman stated he believes it fills some holes and if you build a new pit, you are already under these regulations.  Kinsman feels that the department is going to have to enforce and if that doesn’t work it needs to be reviewed.

Krueger stated he does not agree with tabling the request, postponement would allow the department to have the current ordinance to remain in effect, use it to cite/enforce against those that are in violation, and the time to work with the farming community to come up with a better product.

Motion by McAuliffe/Nelson to postpone the decision until the second meeting in February 2022 to allow the staff to work with the farming community.   Motion passes 4-3 with  Polivka, Lohr, Curry in opposition.

 b. Petition 04-2021. A petition from Dana and Logan Sechler / Lo Bar Ranch LLC, to consider a conditional use permit for an Stable and Equine Facility, pursuant to s. 7.027(12) and a conditional use permit for a Resort, pursuant to s. 7.036(6) on land owned by Dana and Logan Sechler. Said existing conditional use(s) is located in the Town of Dellona, Sauk County.

 

Templin-Steward provided the background and history of the request, staff findings, town recommendations and conditions should the committee approve the request.

 

Dana Sechler, applicant, appearing in favor of the request, explained the history of the property and stated he didn’t feel he should have to comply with certain requirements of the ordinance.

Nelson asked about the Town of Dellona memo (construction of arena with parking space and campground area).

Nelson asked about anticipating events.  Sechler stated people come in with horse trailers, some with living quarters.

Lynn Eberle, Town of Dellona, appearing, explained Town’s concerns and reviewed a memo he provided to the committee.

Dale Hackbarth, appearing in favor of the request, talked about what takes place at the ranch.

Trisha Geffert, appearing in favor, talked about the rural area and heavy traffic.

Sonya Kruschke, appearing in favor, neighbor to the applicant talked about Lyndon Rd being a dangerous road.

Gary Schyvinch, appearing on behalf of the Town of Dellona Plan Commission stated that they are not shutting the facility down, but are asking the applicant to be compliant and provide the town with detailed information so that they can provide a guideline to go by.

Curry talked about knowing the previous owner and would like to see the Town and applicant get together and work out all the questions and come back.

Polivka talked about the things happening and  permitting.

Motion by Polivka/Lohr to postpone the item until May 25, 2020 to allow for the applicant to address all outstanding issues.  Motion carried, all in favor.

c. Petition 05-2021. A petition from Gary and Denise Schyvinch to consider an extension on their conditional use permit for a clean landfill site, pursuant to s. 7.041(3)(i) on land owned by Gary and Denise Schyvinch. Said existing conditional use is located in the Town of Dellona, Sauk County, WI.

Fowler provided a background and history of the request, as well as staff findings and recommended conditions, should the committee approve the request.

 

Gary Schyvinch, applicant, appearing in favor, reviewed the landfill site and the operation.

 

Motion by Polivka/McAuliffe to approve the extension for the conditional use permit for a clean landfill site. Motion carried, all in favor

 

Discussion and possible action approving the work plan for the LRE Department Strategic Planning

process. Cassandra Fowler reviewed with the committee.  Motion by Kinsman/McAuliffe.  Motion

carried, all in favor.

 

Discussion and possible action on Partnership with Dane County for HHW.  Justine Bula reported to  

the committee that Dane county agreed to honor  the $75.00/vehicle voucher program at their disposal

site. Motion by Kinsman/McAuliffe to approve the $75.00/vehicle coucher program with Dane County.   

Motion carried , all in favor.

 

Next meeting dates -Thursday, April 8th and Tuesday, April 27th, 2021

 

Motion by Nelson/Curry to Adjourn at 11:53 a.m.  Motion carried, all in favor.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Ross Curry, Secretary