Planning, Zoning and Land Records Committee

Minutes (90 KB)

                                                 SAUK COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
                                  PLANNING, ZONING AND LAND RECORDS COMMITTEES
                     Tuesday, July 26, 2011 – County Board Room, West Square Building


Planning, Zoning, & Land Records (PZLR) Committee members present: J. Ashford, J. Gaalswyk, F. Halfen, G. Lehman, D. Nobs

Others present: J. Goldsmith, M. Krueger, J. McKenna, B. Michalek, P. Pohle, R. Johansen, B. Simmert, S.Sorenson

Absent: No committee members absent.

At 9:07 a.m. Chair Lehman called the Planning, Zoning and Land Records Committee to order and certified to be in compliance with the Open Meetings Law.

Adopt agenda: Motion by Gaalswyk/Halfen to adopt the amended agenda. Motion carried, all in favor.

Public comment: None.

Communications:

a. Krueger and Michalek updated the Planning, Zoning and Land Records Committee on the American Transmission Company and the Buckwheat Valley Citizens Coalition appearing at a future committee meeting. Discussed setting time limits and guidelines for the presentations. Both presentations should receive the same respect.

b. Enforcement and signage: Marty Krueger received a letter from Gary Cooper dated July 19 suggesting an audit be done by someone outside of Planning & Zoning regarding the issuing of permits and lack of enforcement of the Sauk County sign ordinance. Sorenson gave a brief history of the sign ordinance and concerns of four historic signs. With tightening budgets, the department needs to look at more creative ways of enforcement. Some considerations discussed for the new ordinance were: sign maintenance, more restrictions on billboards, not allowing off premises signs, and limiting sign size. Enforcement is done to the landowner not the sign company. The Wisconsin Department of Revenue determines if landowners can be assessed on sign rental income not the county. Staff will put together an estimate on the time it may take to inventory signs and locations.

c. Driftless Area transmittal letter received by Michalek regarding Larry and Bridget Mundth’s farm consolidation previously denied by the PZLR Committee was discussed. May bring this back to the PZLR at a future meeting.
Clarification of staff assistance with the Badger Oversight Management Commission (BOMC)-Bill Wenzel, Chair of BOMC: Michalek noted that Bill Wenzel was unable to attend the meeting and briefly discussed the need for clarification on what assistance the department’s staff will provide for the Badger Oversight Management Commission. Estimates to prepare agendas, take minutes, and transcribe the minutes would amount to approximately two-three weeks worth of a staff person’s time per year. There is concern that the BOMC would like the minutes taken verbatim. There is $10,000 allotted for 2011 that will need to pass through some committee since only the County Board can spend this money. The county is not asking to make a profit but to cover staff costs. Will need to determine what support can be provided for $10,000 to help reach a decision on what staff assistance the county can provide.
The Committee went to public hearing at 10:06 a.m.

The hearing was called to order, and the members introduced themselves.

Petition #3-2011. A Petition to amend Chapter 9, the Sauk County Floodplain Zoning Ordinance, to adopt official maps and supporting information that identifies lands within the hydraulic shadow should the Lake Redstone Dam fail during a 100-year storm event and apply the provisions of Section 9.04 Floodway District:

Simmert reviewed the lands that will be affected during a 100-year storm event if the Lake Redstone Dam would fail. The committee was provided maps covering these areas. There are a number of homes within the dam breach area. It is not feasible to remove these homes due to the number of homes, and the county will maintain a high hazard rating due to not being able to remove the homes. Future homes will be prevented from being built in the hydraulic shadow areas. Corporation Counsel had informed Planning & Zoning that certified mail notification to the towns affected and the City of Reedsburg was sufficient and did not need to notify the affected people. This is what was done for notification for today’s hearing. It was discussed if the county does not adopt the dam failure analysis this could jeopardize us getting FEMA funds if there is a flood. Simmert read Section 9.04(4)(c) of the Sauk County Floodplain Ordinance into the record which lists property owner restrictions. Michalek stated that this section needs to be researched further.

Jane Goldsmith, registered “as interest may appear.” Goldsmith stated she was at the meeting to observe and report back to her family members.

Robert Johansen, registered “in opposition,” addressed his concerns about the map being highly flawed as it includes properties that he feels will not be affected. If it is adopted, he requested a document signed by the Board of what he can and cannot do and wants to be grandfathered in. He did not receive notification from his town about the petition to amend Chapter 9 of the Sauk County Floodplain Zoning Ordinance.

Simmert informed the PZLR that this needs to be adopted by the County Board by October 13.

No other public comment was received; Chair Lehman closed the public portion of the hearing at 10:44 a.m.

The Committee and staff agreed to hold an public information meeting or hearing at the La Valle Town Hall on Tuesday, August 30, at 7:00 p.m. if possible. Notification of the meeting/hearing should be sent to every property owner within this area. There was discussion on if an article in the Reedsburg papers would be beneficial. DNR to be invited to the meeting. Can hold a public meeting as an extension of this hearing. Motion by Ashford/Halfen to postpone until a date which will be determined. Motion carried, all in favor.

Motion by Halfen/Gaalswyk to adjourn at 11:04 a.m. Motion carried, all in favor.

Respectfully submitted,

Joel Gaalswyk, Secretary