Sauk County Planning, Zoning and Land Records Committee Meeting

August 12, 2010

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

Others Present: Heath Anderson, Tim McElmeel, Lowell Haugen, Brian Simmert, Alene Kleczek. Kathy Schauf, Marty Krueger, representatives from Nelson Hardwood Lumber, and Mary White.

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

Motion by Ashford, seconded by Gaalswyk to adopt the agenda, with the agreement that the Waldinger property would be discussed as soon as possible after representatives of Nelson Hardwood arrived. Motion carried, 5-0.

Motion by Ashford, seconded by Gaalswyk to approve the minutes of the July 27, 2010 Committee meeting. Motion carried. 5-0.

Public Comment: Lowell Haugen stated that the people at Lake Virginia had no place to take junk since the landfill was closed. Lake Virginia violations were discussed as well as the definition of junk. Kleczek requested that this issue be placed on next month's agenda for committee guidance.

Communications: Simmert distributed an opinion from Kleczek on the Waldinger property. Simmert also played back a voicemail from a frustrated county citizen regarding the septic tank maintenance procedure.

Discussion followed regarding timber harvesting on the Waldinger property. Simmert gave the background information on the matter. The owner was requesting to be allowed to harvest timber on property covered by a conservation easement. Sauk County is charged with monitoring these easements. A harvest plan needed to be done and reviewed by a DNR forester. Representatives from Nelson Hardwood Lumber appeared and explained what they were proposing. This request could be approved by the Committee and did not need to go to the County Board for approval. Alene stated the Committee could give their approval today. Simmert explained the suggested process. Motion by Gaalswyk, seconded by Ashford to approve the request. The forest management law was discussed. Harvesting for aesthetics versus forest management was reviewed. This process should be monitored as the harvesting was being done to confirm harvest plan compliance. The owner had received easement payment and was now selling the timber off the property. Funds for the monitoring process was discussed. It was part of the Department of Transportation grant money. The conservation easement does allow for timber harvesting and for staff to monitor the process. Original motion was carried, 4-1, with Halfen in opposition.

Simmert gave the monthly Planning and Zoning Department report. Office activities and issues were discussed. Ordinance re-writes would be brought to the Committee for review and they may need a special meeting, possibly in October. The Committee discussed a meeting to be held on August 31, in Plain. This meeting was to discuss future density options for Exclusive Agriculture towns and decide upon an acceptable density.

White informed the Committee that the State offered a Wisconsin Fund Grant to the County in the amount of $82,462.00. Which should be awarded in the next few weeks. This was partial reimbursement for the replacement of 22 systems. Amount prorated was discussed.

Budget information for the Board of Adjustment and department was distributed for a future meeting.

Simmert gave a presentation on the Planned Unit Development (PUD) program. There was further discussion on the August 31st meeting. It was suggested that this be handled as a posted Committee meeting Having livestock siting as an item for discussion at this meeting was discussed. This would be discussed after the main subject.

Anderson gave a presentation on flood hazard mapping he has been working on in the Town of Spring Green.

Motion by Gaalswyk, seconded by Halfen to go into closed session pursuant to Wis. Stats. 19.85(1)(c) to consider employment, promotion, compensation or performance evaluation data of a public employee over which the governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility. This was the performance evaluation of the Planning and Zoning Director. This session was also attended by Kathy Schauf and Marty Krueger. Roll call vote was taken; Lehman, aye; Gaalswyk, aye; Halfen, aye; Nobs, aye; Ashford, aye. Motion carried, 5-0.

Committee went into closed session at 11:05 and reconvened in open session at 11:45.

The Economic Development Committee, Rails and Trails, was briefly discussed. Halfen stressed that the Committee needed to pay close attention to developments in this matter.

Next meeting scheduled for August 24, 2010. There would not be a public hearing.

Motion by Gaalswyk, seconded by Halfen to adjourn.

Respectfully submitted,

Joel Gaalswyk, Secretary

Notes by Mary White.