Sauk County Planning, Zoning and Land Records Committee Meeting

July 8, 2010

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

Others Present: Mark Steward, Mary White, Steve Sorenson, and Lowell Haugen.

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. Motion carried, 5-0.

Motion by Gaalswyk, seconded by Halfen to approve the minutes of the June 22, 2010 Committee meeting. Motion carried, 5-0.

Public Comment: Steve Sorenson, Assistant Zoning Administrator, appeared before the Committee. He informed the Committee of ongoing problems with junk in the Lake Virginia subdivision. He met with two property owners that were in violation of county codes. He stated that they were working with the department so he would be giving them more time to get the violations resolved. He explained the regulations governing these properties. He would report back to the Committee later in the summer. The Committee agreed to give the property owners more time as long as they were trying to comply.

Communications: Mark Steward supplied the Committee with a copy of Act 373 as passed by the State concerning wetlands. This requires putting a statement on our permit application acknowledging that there are no wetlands on the parcel. This statement is to be signed by the property owner. Steward stated he thought this needed to be enacted by January of 2011. The department reviews each application for wetlands. Designating wetlands was discussed.

Steward had received a copy of Dane County's system to handle the rezoning conversion fee. Discussion followed. A "delayed" effective date gives the property owner enough time to file a certified survey and pay the fees as required.

Steward reported that Helen Berkemeir has applied for a cottage industry permit. The permit for Meise at the Tri-County Airport has been issued. Corporation Counsel has requested that the appeal by Gingerich be dismissed and not be heard by the courts.

The Committee reviewed the June departmental report for Planning and Zoning. Individual permit fees were discussed briefly. Upcoming activities and issues were reviewed. The Committee also reviewed overall budget comparisons for department revenues. Number of certified surveys and undeveloped subdivision lots were discussed.

Board of Adjustment budget form 1 was discussed. The number of hearings was reviewed. Discussion followed regarding having the Planning, Zoning and Land Records Committee review conditional use requests. The Board of Adjustment would only review the special exception requests. The BOA would also do appeals to the Planning, Zoning and Land Records Committee's decisions. This would change the BOA budget. The Committee supported this change. Appeals would be handled through a public hearing. Short and land term goals were reviewed.

The Committee then reviewed budget form 1 for the Planning and Zoning Department. It was noted that the numbering under "Elements of Countywide Mission Fulfilled" needed to be changed, there was no element left out. Goals were reviewed. Better municipal relationships should be a continuing objective. Under long term goals, adding the "rails-to-trails" project was suggested. The budget process was discussed. Steward stated that overtime would be looked at. The Badger process was the only thing that required overtime at this time. Motion by Ashford, seconded by Halfen to approve the Budget Form 1 for the Board of Adjustment and Budget Form 1 for the Planning and Zoning Department with the addition of the "rails-to-trails" initiative. Motion carried, 5-0.

The next item c., a presentation on the Planned Unit Development Program, was rescheduled for the next meeting.

State budget requests by the Ho-Chunk Nation were then discussed. The Ho-Chunk have requested additional control of gaming revenues. They are looking to the future with programs to use the revenue, such as a sewer study, generating renewable energy, a convention center and roads. The Committee reviewed a spread sheet delineating these programs. The Planning and Zoning Department could be involved in administering the grants for items 8 & 9, 10, 11, 12 on the spread sheet. The Department has a good working relationship with the Ho-Chunk through the Badger process. Additional staff was discussed. Grant funds would offset the use of existing staff, with the possibility of outside firms. Details would not be known until the state budget is approved.

A PUD cluster lot request by Patrick Harrington was then reviewed. Gaalswyk gave the Committee a background of the property. The Town of Franklin supports the request. A density policy was discussed. Conditional use permit standards were read and answered in the affirmative. Motion by Gaalswyk, seconded by Nobs to approve the Harrington conditional use permit. Motion carried, 5-0.

A report showing curent violations was briefly reviewed. Committee requested to continue receiving this report.

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

Respectfully submitted,

Joel Gaalswyk, Secretary

Notes by mary white.