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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning and Zoning 02-22-07 NOTICE OF MEETING AND AGENDA PLANNING AND ZONING COMMITTEE THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2007 7:00 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 Information Meeting: 1) Public information meeting regarding the proposed amendments to the County's Nonmetallic Mining ordinance, Chapter 14, 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. The committee and staff will discuss the proposed changes. 2) Public information meeting to gather public opinion regarding type, size, and location for signs before drafting new regulations. 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: February 8, 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 February 22, 2007 Present: Committee: Supervisors Lois Burri, Stan Krueger, Ron Troyer Excused: Wally Habhegger, Gene Ruetz Staff: Dave Fodroczi, Jennifer Shillcox, Kevin Grabau, Ellen Denzer, Steve Olson, Judy Olson Guests: Call to Order: Vice Chair Burri called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. Approval of Previous Minutes: none Date of Next Meeting: Tuesday, February 27, 8:30 a.m. Old and New Business: Information Meeting: Dave Fodroczi reviewed the evening's order of business and the timeline for completion of ordinance changes. He encouraged attendees to use the comment cards for response to the nonmetallic mining ordinance proposed changes or recommendations for the sign ordinance. He listed the reasons for updating the nonmetallic mining ordinances. The moratorium on signs will be in place through June. Both ordinances will be presented to the County Board for adoption on June 19. Jenny Shillcox presented an overview of the nonmetallic mining ordinance amendments including a summary of NR 135 updates plus additional considerations. Questions and comments on nonmetallic mining ordinance: Benny Stenner representing the Kraemer Company commented that some counties have changed from one year to five year renewal. With such a change, staff time would be better used in the field and less time on paperwork. Stan Krueger asked for names of counties that now do that. Stenner stated that there are various permit processes in place throughout the state. Stenner stated that a stormwater management permit is required from the DNR. He questioned the five foot buffer between a limestone quarry and groundwater. Kraemer has quarries close to water where water is pumped into a sediment box. He asked about financial assurance requirements. Shillcox stated that more options will be available for financial assurance and will be included in our ordinance. Robin Anderson of Anderson Excavating questioned if current permits will need to come into compliance with NR 35. Shillcox responded that we will address that when we come into the five year renewal. There were no other comments on the nonmetallic mining ordinance. Ellen Denzer presented an overview of the St. Croix County sign regulation approval authority and explained on- premise and off - premise signs. She reviewed the additional considerations including public input from residents, local officials and sign industry. Amendment drafts will be reviewed for legal issues regarding sign content. She then reviewed the timeline for adoption of the ordinance amendments. Questions and comments on the sign ordinance: Paul Radermacher, representing Sign Me Up, questioned the reasons for the moratorium. He asked how many sign applications approved in 2006 were for on- premise signs for new businesses. He questioned if there were specific issues with on- and off - premise signs. Fodroczi explained the problems with the present ordinance that is 40 years old and the process now required. Having a more specific ordinance will lessen the special exceptions needed. Matthew Rolli, representing Adcraft, questioned the need for a moratorium. He stated concern because the moratorium is preventing him from doing business now. A sign business cannot sell signs during this time. He asked what a new business or a business that takes over an existing space can do other than a temporary sign. Denzer responded that the moratorium is in place and the meeting is not about whether or not to have a moratorium. Radermacher asked what specifics we are looking for. Denzer stated that the meeting is for getting suggestions on types, sizes, number, location & duration of signs for revisions to the ordinance. Fodroczi stated that the lack of guidelines on permitting new signs under the current ordinance is what prompted the revisions. Neil Boltik of Adcraft stated that the sign professionals can address many of the questions specific to the customers and their needs. Regarding the type, size, number and location, many counties and cities limit that by the linear footage of the sign. He stated his concern on scenic beauty and what is defined as scenic beauty. Denzer replied that letters have already been received requesting that signs not detract from the scenic beauty of the countryside along roadways in St. Croix County. Boltik referred to an editorial in the Hudson Star Observer with photos of billboards along Highway I94 indicating signs placed every 120 feet — the photo altered to show an extreme use of billboards. Jim Lund of K -Lund Angus Farm commented that he should be able to have a sign on his own premises to advertise his farm. Rich Reinart, representing Lamar Outdoor Advertising, stated that there is confusion regarding on- and off - premise signs. He covers 36 different counties. Outdoor signs are now heavy regulated. He commented on the 100 -foot setback. Current sign regulations are very restrictive. He asked that the County regulations not be more restrictive. Les Berg, resident of North Hudson, stated that he respects the business of sign makers and business owners on needing on- premise signs. He stated his concern regarding scenic 2 obstruction. We are already looking at more advertising than needed. In areas where signs are restricted to just information, we enjoy beautiful clear views. An extreme example of such obstruction is in the Wisconsin Dells area. He encouraged the County to maintain its countryside as much as possible. There is no need for 40 -foot signs. He recommended very restrictive on- and off - premise sign regulations. Steve Willock, representing St. Croix National Golf Course, asked if any of this has to do with directional signs on highways. Denzer answered yes, the sign regulations would regulate directional signs. One of the inadequacies of the present ordinance is that small directional signs are lumped together with other off - premise signs. Willock stated that the State will not allow directional signs on the new STH 35/64 to his business. Ann Wachter, representing Fireworks Forever, said they have been turned down for directional signs. She asked what happens to current signs. Denzer stated that existing signs not meeting the new criteria would become non - conforming signs. Rolli urged the County to keep in mind that small businesses do not have budgets for marketing, and signs are their best way of advertising Fodroczi emphasized that, though some existing signs would become non - conforming, the vast number of existing signs would be conforming to the new ordinance. Shillcox asked for input on what would be an appropriate time allowed for replacement of signs when there is a change of business. The question was asked if political signs and realtor signs fit under these regulations. Denzer responded that political signs are regulated and we are not trying to regulate messages, only the kind, size, whether lit or unlit, height and whether appropriate for type of sign. Neil Boltik asked that we define which signs need a permit and which signs do not require permits. Denzer replied that we have looked at model ordinances and examples from national agencies. We want to have complete sign regulations with reduced permitting requirements and make sure small temporary signs are allowed, but guidelines will be needed. Ann Wachter stated that she has been researching directional signs for Fireworks Forever to get assistance in clarifying the new rules and finds there is nowhere to go for information on these types of signs. Radermacher stated that he has helped write ordinances for many cities and offered assistance on writing this ordinance. Rolli asked if anything in the present ordinance would be recommended for deletion. Fodroczi explained that the need for revisions is more because of what is not in the present ordinance rather that what is in the ordinance. The present ordinance is 40 years old and all sign applications must go through the special exception process. 3 Boltik did not think the moratorium was needed. Stan Krueger stated that this is the best time of year for a moratorium when, because of frozen ground, few new signs are being erected. Berg agreed to the need for updating the regulations of on- and off - premise signs and that off - premise signs must be looked at primarily for attractiveness. We must keep our county non - cluttered. Businesses can advertise in many ways. Variable signing such as those with electronic moving messages definitely create traffic problems. David Wachter suggested that it would be good if several businesses could go together on a single sign. Fodroczi emphasized that the six -month moratorium goes through June. The ordinance changes will be complete by June 30. He reminded attendees of the additional public information meeting on April 19 and other dates listed on the timeline. He urged attendees to submit comment sheets. Meeting adjourned at 8:22 p.m. Respectfully submitted: A6 1 Judy OlignL Recording Secretary Stan Krueger, Secretary 02 -22 -07 4