Planning, Zoning and Land Records Committee

September 9th Minutes (5 KB)

Committee Members Present: Lehman, Ashford, Gaalswyk, Nobs and Halfen.

Others Present: Mark Steward, Steve Blakeslee, Brian Simmert, Mary White, Alene Kleczek, Kelly Felton, Steve Pate, Brian Cunningham.

Chair Lehman called the meeting to order at 9:00 A.M. Compliance with open meetings law was certified.

Motion by Halfen, seconded by Ashford to adopt the agenda. Motion carried 5-0.

Motion by Gaalswyk, seconded by Halfen to approve the minutes of the August 24, 2010 and August 31, 2010 Committee meetings. Motion carried 5-0.

Public Comment:

None.

Communications:

Steward had received an invitation to the Gathering Waters 8th Annual Land Conservation Leadership awards meeting. Dave Tremble to be accepting an award. Steward had also received an e-mail from Kathy Schauf regarding programs discussion.
He received correspondence from NRCS recommending adoption of a dam breach study and failure analysis. The Committee requested a map of the dam breach area for the next meeting.

Kelly Felton and Steve Pate, appeared with highlights of the Land Records Modernization budget. A change in the fee structure was discussed. There is no tax levy for this budget. Motion by Ashford, seconded by Nobs to accept the 2011 Land Records Modernization Budget as presented. Motion carried, 5-0.

Nobs stated that Brian Simmert had done a good job explaining a county density policy at the August 31, 2010 meeting in Plain.

Steve Blakeslee requested to be on the agenda to discuss short term mineral extraction and problems he was having with the process. Short term mineral extraction allows for the removal of topsoil or sand. The ordinance was written to allow for a 6 month time period but he feels it is impossible to complete the process within that time. He wants to expand the time frame to allow for the extraction and then to allow stockpiling on the site for 2 or 3 years. Comparisons between the large operation sites and the small topsoil or sand operations were made. Fees were discussed. Allowing the site to go “inactive” was discussed which allows for stockpiling but no further extraction. No action on this subject was suggested. Hearing from other operators was also suggested. A motion was made by Nobs to postpone any action until the Committee heard from other operators. Further review of the ordinance was needed. For lack of a second the motion was lost.

The Planning and Zoning departmental report was given by Steward. Monthly activities and highlights were reviewed. Steward presented a county map showing structures in the floodplain. This map was completed by Heath Anderson, an intern.

The 2011 budget was next for review. The budget was accepted by the Committee at the last meeting and should be presented to Finance as is. Vehicles were discussed.

A new special lowland flood hazard district in the Floodplain Zoning Ordinance was discussed. Restricting development and flood proofing structures was reviewed. The addition has not been reviewed by the Corporation Counsel. This will be taken to public hearing in October.

Ordinance definitions were reviewed next. Kleczek discussed on-premise and off-premise signs. Signs on Rustic and Scenic Roads were discussed. The Committee wanted to restrict signs on rustic roads. Off-premise signs will not be allowed as well as flashing or digital signs.

Brian Simmert appeared and briefly reviewed other ordinance definitions. Instead of shortening the ordinance it will eventually be longer. It was suggested to add “digesters” to the definitions.

A livestock siting ordinance was discussed. There are two ways to go either by licensing or zoning. The consensus of the Committee was to draft the ordinance and take it to public hearing.

Brian Cunningham appeared regarding maintenance of fire number signs. Property owners needed to be made aware that it is their responsibility to maintain their sign. Cunningham stated the towns could be made aware of this at the spring meeting held each year. The Committee felt the towns should be notified of this before the annual meeting.

A conditional use permit for James Allen was then reviewed. Simmert appeared and gave the background information. The conditional use permit standards were read and answered affirmative. Motion by Gaalswyk, seconded by Nobs to approve the permit. Motion carried, 4-1, with Lehman in opposition.

Next meeting will be on Wednesday, September 29, 2010.

Motion by Ashford, seconded by Halfen to adjourn. Motion carried, 5-0.

Respectfully submitted: Joel Gaalswyk, Secretary

Notes by: Mary White.