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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning and Zoning 04-19-07 NOTICE OF MEETING AND AGENDA PLANNING AND ZONING COMMITTEE THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2007 6:30 P.M. ST CROIX COUNTY GOVERNMENT CENTER, COMMUNITY ROOM 1101 CARMICHAEL ROAD, HUDSON, WI CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL ADOPTION OF AGENDA APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING DATE OF NEXT MEETING OLD AND NEW BUSINESS 1) 6:30 -7:30 p.m. Review First Draft of Proposed Nonmetallic Mining Amendments: The Committee and staff will review the first draft of the proposed Nonmetallic Mining Amendments. Questions, comments and suggestions from the public are welcome. The proposed amendments to the County's Nonmetallic Mining ordinance, Chapter 14, are to bring it into compliance with changes to Chapter NR 135, Wisconsin Administrative Code, adopted in December 2006 by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. 2) 7:30 -9 p.m. Review First Draft of Proposed Sign Regulations: The Committee and staff will review the first draft of the proposed amendments to Section 17.65 Sign Regulations of the St. Croix County Zoning Ordinance. Questions, comments and suggestions from the public are welcome. The proposed amendments to the County's sign regulations are to address identified inadequacies in the existing sign regulations regarding standards, approval process, sign needs of county businesses. ANNOUNCEMENTS AND CORRESPONDENCE: POSSIBLE AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING: ADJOURNMENT (Agenda not necessarily presented in this order) SUBMITTED BY: St. Croix County Planning and Zoning Department DATE: April 9, 2007 COPIES TO: County Board Office Committee Members County Clerk News Media/Notice Board *CANCELLATIONS/ CHANGES /ADDITIONS MINUTES PLANNING AND ZONING COMMITTEE ST. CROIX COUNTY GOVERNMENT CENTER, HUDSON WI April 19, 2007 Present: Committee: Supervisors Lois Burri, Wally Habhegger, Gene Ruetz Absent: Ron Troyer, Stan Krueger Staff: Dave Fodroczi, Jennifer Shillcox, Steve Olson, Bob Heise, Kevin Grabau, Ellen Denzer, Judy Olson Guests: Benny Stenner, Dick Marino, Perry Atterholt, John Tinker, Brian Hurtgen, Russ & Jan Utecht, Joe & Anna Kusilek, Steve Becken, Ron Garrison, Mike Byrnes, Pat Bergen, Larry Rauch, Jim & Roxanne Lund, Rich Reinart, David Wachter, Pat Wachter, Ray Knapp, Loren & Marilyn Smeester, Mark Lebo, Warren Bader, Fred Ball Call to Order: Chair Habhegger called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. and introduced committee members. Approval of Previous Minutes: none Date of Next Meeting: Tuesday, April 24, 8:30 a.m. Old and New Business: Fodroczi reviewed the meeting format and encouraged those in attendance to submit comment sheets either at the end of the evening's meeting or via fax or mail in the near future. 1) 6:30 -7:30 p.m. Review First Draft of Proposed Nonmetallic Mining Amendments: Shillcox reviewed the St. Croix County regulatory authority and noted that St. Croix County is required to amend its Nonmetallic Mining Ordinance to be compliant with the state revisions to NR135 effective December 2006. She reviewed the NR 135 amendments. Shillcox then reviewed the comments received since the last public information meeting and the proposed changes. Shillcox and Steve Olson reviewed the additional proposed County amendments by section and the reasons for those changes and requested feedback from attendees. Pat Bergen, representing Cemstone, asked if these changes are to bring the ordinance into compliance with NR135. Olson stated that these are changes to other sections of the County ordinance. Ron Garrison, representing Mathy Construction, distributed printed copies of a PowerPoint presentation that he created. He stated his background as a geologist and reviewed the presentation. He emphasized his concern about the County not allowing mining of limestone below groundwater. He stated that mining below groundwater is common practice throughout the U.S. Allowing mining below groundwater will minimize the spread of quarries in the County. He stated that it is better to mine downward rather than laterally. Continuing growth and development in the County limits areas for new mining sites. Quarries can also be a good resource in the County allowing development when the quarries are done. He stated that there is no basis for limiting mining into groundwater and proposed that the staff discuss this issue with representatives from the mining industry. Dr John Tinker, professional hydrogeologist and professor emeritus with University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire, representing Mathy Construction, stated that he has been a consultant for several years. He distributed his statement based on 30 years of research and work as a hydrogeologist including his opinion that the prohibition of dewatering for mining purposes is not supported by the existing knowledge in the field of hydrogeology. He stated that dewatering for geologic material for mining purposes can be successfully completed if sufficient hydrogeologic studies are completed prior to and during mining operations. Each proposed site should be reviewed individually and its approval based on sound hydrogeologic information. He then listed those requirements. Benny Stenner, representing the Kraemer Company LLC, said that he supports everything stated by Dr. Tinker. The Kraemer Company currently has three large active gravel pits that are being completely dewatered to do a complete mining operation in the area. He referred to such a site in Minnesota where the water is moved from the quarry operation, treated and used for the public water system. His company has a genuine concern for groundwater. In order to keep the mining industry going, mining into groundwater will have to be done. Russ Utecht of Utecht Sand and Gravel spoke of a survey he received from the State of Minnesota. After questioning the reason he received the survey, he was told that the State of Minnesota is looking for other sources for mining near the Twin Cities. The population growth is restricting mining expansion in that area. Utecht stated, however, that for the same reasons, St. Croix County will one day run out of areas for mining. Bob Heise questioned the process of mining below groundwater and what the problems would be. Mr Garrison stated that hard rock has to be drilled and blasted and cannot be done economically under water. Water has to be pumped out before drilling holes. Mining has to occur when dry. Benny Stenner requested that the staff take another look at this and listen. Ron Garrison stated that he would be very happy to visit with staff and provide information and examples to help with this project. Stenner stated that it is best to utilize the sources that we have, mining into groundwater at existing sites rather than permit new sites. With no other comments, Chair Habhegger closed this comment period. The meeting recessed at 7:20 p.m. 2) 7:30 -9:00 p.m. Review First Draft of Proposed sign Regulations: The meeting reconvened at 7:30 p.m. Fodroczi introduced the Committee members and staff. He emphasized submitting comment sheets. He reviewed the timeline, stating that the proposed ordinance amendments will be presented to County Board for action on June 19. He noted that the draft sign ordinance was created using comments received from the February 22 public information meeting. 2 Denzer highlighted what has been done so far. She reviewed the St. Croix County sign regulation authority and approval. She explained that this ordinance replaces the existing ordinance and only applies to towns in St. Croix County, not cities or villages. It applies to all towns except Hudson, Cady and Forest. A six -month moratorium is in place. She reviewed the comments received and the decisions that were made in response to those comments. She then reviewed the sign regulations noting what areas we do not want to regulate and will not be covered in the ordinance. We are also trying to clean up the permitting process with signs requiring land use permits. She highlighted and explained the key permit sign standards and covered permanent commercial /industrial signage examples of what would be allowed. Permanent residential signage and temporary residential signage examples with limitations were also shown. She stated that the draft is going through legal review by a Minneapolis law firm. The public hearing is scheduled for May 24. Denzer then requested comments from those in attendance. Ray Knapp, Chair, Town of Troy, questioned the size of on- premise signs on buildings referenced on page 17.65 -5 allowed in agricultural, commercial or industrial districts. Denzer said the size of signs is based on the size of the building. He then asked how long non - conforming signs will be required to comply. She stated that it will be the same as in the existing ordinance and legal counsel is reviewing that now. That requirement only applies to temporary signs. Permanent signs are permanent. Knapp questioned the use of vehicles as signs. Denzer responded that the existing ordinance did not allow the use of a vehicle as a sign that stays on one site. Signs are allowed on vehicles that are being driven and travel around. Larry Rauch, Town of Somerset, spoke in support of the new regulations. Rich Reinert, representing Lamar Outdoor Advertising, asked about the 50 percent rule for non- conforming signs. Denzer replied that will be added. Loren Smeester asked if the special exception process is needed for farmers to get signs the same size as those allowed for developers. Denzer replied that we want to address concerns regarding size of signs as part of writing the ordinance rather than trying to do something after ordinance adoption. Marilyn Smeester suggested that sizes of signs could be related to rural areas where highway speeds are greater than in residential areas where speeds are slower. Habhegger expressed appreciation to those in attendance. Meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted: 4 utyyOils, Recording Secretary Stan Krueger, Secretary 04 -19 -07 3