Conservation, Planning and Zoning Committee Meeting

SAUK COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

CONSERVATION, PLANNING, AND ZONING COMMITTEE

Tuesday, July 25, 2017

County Board Room/Gallery, Sauk County West Square Building

 

Conservation, Planning, and Zoning (CPZ) Committee members present:  D. Polivka, C. Spencer, J Ashford, J. Dietz (arrived 9:02), M. Flint, C. Pettersen, S. Laubscher.

 

Absent:  E. Peterson (gave prior notice).

 

Others present:   L. Wilson, B. Simmert, G. Templin, S. Sorenson, M. Krueger.   See registration slips for those in attendance for public hearing.

 

At 9:00 a.m. Polivka called the Conservation, Planning, and Zoning Committee meeting to order and Templin certified to be in compliance with the Open Meetings Law. 

 

Adopt agenda:   Motion by M. Flint/C. Pettersen to adopt the agenda as presented. Motion carried, all in favor.

 

Motion by C. Spencer/S. Laubscher to approve the July 13th CPZ Committee meeting minutes.  Motion carried, all in favor.

Public Comment:

None.

 

Communications: 
Wilson spoke of the Committee Field Day for Wednesday September 27th, which was discussed at the last committee meeting.

 

She also spoke of an email from Ian Crammond regarding having Hoffman present at one of the upcoming CPZ meetings.  The committee suggested having them attend the next meeting.

 

Discussion and possible action on the Conservation Congress 2018 budget request – Jeff Scott 

Scott appeared and introduced himself as Mr. Ken Verthein’s replacement and provided the committee with an update on the Conservation Congress activities.  Scott provided  the Congress’s budget request for 2018.     Motion by J. Ashford/C. Spencer to approve the request of $1,400 for the Conservation Congress 2018 budget.  Motion carried, all in favor.

 

Land Records

a.  Department Report.  Felton appeared and provided the department report.

b.  Discussion and possible action on mission, vision and goals.  Felton reviewed the mission, vision and goals for 2018.  Motion by M. Flint/J. Dietz to approve the 2018 mission, vision and goals.  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 16-2017. A petition to consider a conditional use permit pursuant to s7.040(3)(i) a wood fabrication business.  Lands affected by the proposed conditional use are located in the NW ¼ of the NW ¼, Section 2, T10N, R3E, Town of Bear Creek, Tax parcel 004-0392-00000 and 004-0393-00000.

Sorenson provided the background and history of the property and petitioner’s request.  Sorenson  verified that the Town of Bear Creek has approved of the proposed conditional use permit on the property.     

 

Flint asked about the other buildings that were built without permits and if the Town permitted them.  Sorenson referred the question to the applicant.

 

Polivka asked if the applicant is aware of the conditions.  Sorenson stated he is.

 

Flint asked if the applicant is working with the neighbor to purchase additional property.  Sorenson stated he is.

 

Pettersen asked how they are running equipment if they are not using electricity.  Sorenson explained.

 

Nelson Yoder, applicant, appearing in favor of the request, stated that some equipment is powered by air and other equipment is powered by diesel.

 

Flint asked about the buildings that were built.  Yoder stated that he received permits from the Town and not the County.  Yoder stated that he did not know he needed County permits at that time.

 

Rex Gilligan, appear in opposition, stated he lives in Bear Creek township and was at the town board meeting.  Giligan stated that he was under the impression that he had all the permits to expand his business and finds out later that nothing was done at the town level to operate the business.  He does not understand why the county moves before the Town and he never heard a motion made at the Town Board meeting.  He is upset that the Town Board does not go through the democratic process.

 

MaryEllen McCluskey, appearing as interest may appear, spoke to the process and the issues of the Town of Bear Creek.  McCluskey stated that the agenda for July 11th stated that Steve Sorenson would appear for Mr. Yoder’s enterprise, which did not tell people anything.  She stated that the Town made no motion to approve the CUP and there were not public findings.  She also presented a petition signed by 82 Town residents asking the committee to follow the Town Plan.

 

Stan Komendowski, appearing as interest may appear, stated that both the county and the town are relinquishing responsibility where the application deadline is a day before the town board meeting.  He feels the county needs to wait until after  they go to the town board.   Komendowski  spoke of the issues at the Town Board.  Komendowski  spoke of notifying Steve Sorenson that he was scheduled for  the Town meeting for the Yoder’s. 

 

Steve Sorenson, reappearing, stated he did not attend the Town meeting.  Sorenson stated that he was unaware and had not received a formal request for attendance.  Spencer asked about the paper that said the Town approved the request.  Sorenson explained that is the standard form.

 

Flint asked about the form not being filled out showing who the applicant is or who it is for.    Sorenson stated that is the same one he has, but assumed it was filled out.

Polivka asked about the timing on meetings and deadlines.  Sorenson explained.

 

Seeing as no one else wished to appear, Chair Polivka closed the public portion of the hearing at 10:00 a.m., and the committee deliberated.

 

Dietz stated when the Chair signs any documents there is a vote of the Town Board and questions if the document is false.  

 

Spencer is concerned about issues at the Town of Bear Creek coming before them and then the committee making a decision.

 

Motion by M. Flint/C. Pettersen to postpone the decision until the next public hearing meeting on August 22nd, until the committee receives proper information from the Town.  Motion carried, with Spencer in opposition.

 

b.   Petition 17-2017. A petition to consider a conditional use permit pursuant to s7.027(3)(g) for an agricultural tourism business, particularly a winery.  Lands affected by the proposed conditional use are located in the SE ¼ of the NE ¼, Section 7, T11N, R4E, Town of Westfield, Tax parcel 040-0132-00000.

Sorenson appeared and provided the background and history of the property and petitioner’s request.    Sorenson stated that he had not received documentation from the Township recommending approval.  Sorenson reviewed the  conditions requested to be placed on the CUP.
 

Flint asked about the well being used for commercial use.  Sorenson suggested that is a UDC standard.

 

Dean Baumgarten, appearing in favor of the request, stated he is requesting a CUP for a winery to open to the public, in an existing building.   He spoke of being a part of Fermentation Fest in the future.  He did mention having his well tested, but did not have anything looked at for volume.  Baumgarten provided information on cleaning and sanitizing.

 

Flint asked about the number of crops and quantity of wine production.  Baumgarten explained that not everything comes off the farm for the products they make wine out of, cranberries, rhubarb, apples, etc. come from other locations.

 

Lorinda Broughton, appearing in favor, stated that she is a neighbor of the applicant, but have a couple concerns with the road safety.  She asked about road signage and if there could be road signage for “business entrance” as well as a change of the speed limit due to the road elevation and children present.  She also spoke of the traffic on Narrows Creek Rd.

 

Pettersen asked about the detour taking place from Highway 154 to Narrows Creek Rd.  Broughton explained.

 

Polivka directed Ms. Broughton to the Town to discuss the signage and speed limit issues, as the County had no jurisdiction.

 

Flint verified this has not been approved by the Town Board, but it is a condition. 

 

Baumgarten, reappearing, stated his wife went to the last town meeting in which it was discussed, and was told they were going to submit the minutes stating it was approved.

 

Sorenson reappearing, stated he did not receive a copy of minutes.

 

Seeing as no one else wished to appear, Chair Polivka closed the public portion of the hearing at 10:35 a.m., and the committee deliberated.

 

Flint suggested this a good thing for the county and can bring people into the County.  Flint stated that it leads into the placemaking initiative.  

 

Motion by C. Spencer/M. Flint to approve the Conditional Use Permit to authorize a winery subject to all conditions requested by Conservation, Planning and Zoning and verification of Town approval.  Motion carried, all in favor.

 

Review and possible approval of a reduced access easement width pursuant to s. 22.15 Identification of Street and Access Easement Rights-of-Way of the Sauk County Land Division and Subdivision Regulations Ordinance.  The property is located in Section 16, T10N, R6E, Town of Sumpter owned by Melvin and Doris Lohr.   Simmert appeared and reviewed the proposed reduced easement access for Lohr of 25 feet, which just had an approved PRD that was before the committee.  Simmert explained the minimum width access requirement and the ability for the committee to approve a lesser width.  Polivka verified that an additional entrance is not to be added off of the road.  Simmert confirmed.  Motion by C. Spencer/J. Ashford to approve the reduced access easement to 25 feet.  Motion carried, all in favor.

 

Review and possible approval of a reduced access easement width pursuant to s. 22.15 Identification of Street and Access Easement Rights-of-Way of the Sauk County Land Division and Subdivision Regulations Ordinance.  The property is located in Section 5, T9N, R6E, Town of Prairie du Sac owned by Jane Litscher.  Simmert appeared and discussed the proposed reduced access easement at its narrowest point of 54 feet for Jane Litscher, which is also a PRD lot that was approved in a previous CPZ meeting.  Motion by M. Flint/S. Laubscher to approve the request for a reduce access easement for Litscher.  Motion carried, all in favor.

Discussion and possible action on the buildings at the County Farm.  Wilson reviewed the structures that were damaged by a storm in May.  She spoke of numbers received from the insurance company and asked the committee about the options of rebuilding the structures versus not rebuilding.

 

Flint asked if the idea was approached to demo the buildings and simply salvage them.  Flint believes the land will be able to rent out.  Wilson stated she spoke to the Highway Dept, but we would have to pay them for their time and equipment.  Wilson stated that we would need to pay the costs to the landfill to accept the materials as well.

 

Flint believes it is time to remove the buildings and simply lease the cropland.  Polivka agrees.

 

Laubscher asked if the farmer would fix up the buildings to use them. Polivka stated he does not want to get into that spot.

 

The committee believes the land will be rented without the buildings there, as many in the farming community do so.   They believe it will be better without having the buildings there and financially better without dealing with the buildings and the insurance.

 

Flint suggested running this past P&I committee.   He suggested remove the buildings and just keep everything in farmland and recycle as much as can be recycled.

 

Motion by C. Spencer/M. Flint to demolish the buildings versus rebuild and investigate the salvage of any materials.  Motion carried, all in favor.

Next meetings of the Conservation, Planning, and Zoning Committee will be held on Thursday, August 10th , 2017, at 9:00 a.m. and Tuesday, August 29th , 2017 at 9:00 a.m.  Motion by M. Flint/S. Laubscher to adjourn at 10:55 a.m.  Motion carried, all in favor.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

 

Judy Ashford, Secretary