DATE: September 22, 2009
Committee Members Present: Ashford, Gaalswyk, Netzinger, Lehman, and Cassity.
Others Present: Mark Steward, Mary White, Jim Birkemeier, Marty Krueger, Gene and Doris Alt and Tina Pagel.
Vice Chair Lehman called the public hearing to order at 10:00 A.M. and staff certified compliance with the open meetings law.
Committee members introduced themselves and the public hearing notice was read.
Mark Steward, Planning and Zoning Director, appeared and gave the background of this amendment process to date.
Changes were reviewed and regulations were discussed.
The Committee had no questions at this time.
Tina Pagel registered in opposition, but did not wish to speak.
Jim Birkemeier appeared in opposition. He said that he understood the language of the amendments. The explanations by Steward were good. He stated that this was the only county in the state that requires a permit for this activity. Custom sawing for neighbors was discussed. Sawmills in other counties did not have to get a permit, therefore, they wouldn't have to charge as much. Discussion followed on suggestions to saw primarily from the same farm, but help neighbors occasionally. Biofuels need to be clarified.
Steward reappeared. Milling facilities were discussed as well as portable and standard mills. A portable sawmill on a property for more than 10 days would require a permit.
Facility as it relates to a sawmill needs to be clarified. You can have a sawmill that isn't a facility.
Cassity had questions regarding the entire amendment. Sawing for neighbors and getting permits or not was discussed.
Biofuels were discussed including small operations on farms. That could be considered manufacturing.
Inserting language such as "primarily process logs from the same farm" was discussed.
The word "primarily" was considered too vague. Length of time to process trees was reviewed. This could vary from a few days to two or three months.
More discussion followed on the exact wording. It was note that the existing wording has been approved in the past.
Birkemeier reappeared. He stated that he had an appointment with Judge Evenson on December 22, 2009 regarding the citations he had received. Ag. related business and cottage industry was discussed.
Steward reappeared. He clarified that there were 7-10 other counties in the state that regulate sawmills. The consequence of turning this amendment down was discussed.
Seeing that no one else wished to speak, Vice-Chair Lehman closed the public portion of the hearing at 10:55 a.m.
Motion by Ashford, seconded by Gaalswyk to approve Petition #12-2009 as it relates to sawmills. Discussion followed. Length of permits was discussed. Motion carried, 4-0, with Cassity in opposition.
The Planning, Zoning, and Land Records Committee was called to order for their regular meeting at 11:30 a.m. Compliance with the open meetings law was certified.
Motion by Cassity, seconded by Gaalswyk to adopt the agenda. Motion carried, 5-0.
Motion by Gaalswyk, seconded by Netzinger to approve the September 9, 2009 Committee meeting minutes. Motion carried, 5-0.
Public Comment: None
Communications: Steward had several communications regarding runoff water, livestock siting rules, etc. He also had correspondence from Kurt Muchow regarding several issues in the Town of Excelsior. A newspaper article about the Town of Baraboo's interest in getting out of county zoning was reviewed. Steward explained how this could be done. An ordinance re-write could accomplish that.
Pat Dederich, County Surveyor, appeared. He distributed his 2010 budget and vouchers. Vouchers in the amount of $1,795.00 were reviewed. Motion by Gaalswyk, seconded by Ashford to approve the vouchers as presented. Motion carried, 5-0.
The Surveyor's Form 1 and budget was reviewed. Dederich stated that the budget remained the same as in the past except for MIS charge backs. The increase was for a copier. Purchase of a copier was discussed. Marty Krueger appeared and explained the county's proposed copier program. Dederich stated that he did not like surveyor's paper originals to leave the office. Krueger stated that the Surveyor will not be without a copier. Sharing copiers was discussed. Deletion of the copier in the budget was discussed. It was decided to leave it in at this point. Motion by Ashford, seconded by Gaalswyk to approve the 2010 County Surveyor's budget. Motion carried, 5-0.
The Committee reviewed vouchers for the Planning and Zoning office. Motion by Netzinger, seconded by Ashford to approve the vouchers in the amount of $100,811.46. This amount included $95,585.00 for Wisconsin Fund reimbursements. Motion carried, 5-0.
Steward gave the Committee an update on the 2010 budget for the Planning and Zoning department. A breakdown of staff members was reviewed. 2.9 staff members have been lost in the past 3 years.
The Baraboo Range budget was briefly reviewed. Money left in the account will be used for ongoing maintenance.
The resolution opposing layoffs at the state level was discussed. It was felt the county needs state staff for backup. Netzinger stated more counties should go together with this resolution. WCCA did take a stance as an organization against the layoffs. It was agreed that something in opposition needed to be presented to the E & L Committee. It was decided to wait until the Committee had more information.
The format of Planning, Zoning and Land Records Committee meetings was discussed next. It was suggested that the 1st meeting of the month would be for planning and zoning business. The 2nd meeting of the month would be for Register of Deeds, County Surveyor, and Mapping, along with any public hearings that needed to be heard. This order of meetings was to start immediately.
The next item for discussion was an amendment to a PUD condition for Gene and Doris Alt.
Brian Simmert gave the background of the PUD permit and the reason for the amendment. A driveway access was the issue. A new Memorandum of Understanding was submitted. The Town approves of the MOU. Motion by Ashford, seconded by Cassity to amend the MOU previously accepted by the Committee removing the common driveway requirement. Motion carried, 5-0.
Motion by Netzinger, seconded by Cassity to adjourn until October 13. Motion carried, 5-0.
Respectfullysubmitted,
Judy Ashford, Secretary
Notes by mary white.