HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-31-2013 Community Development Minutes MINUTES
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
January 31, 2013 3:00 PM
Baldwin Ag Center
1960 8th Ave, Baldwin, Wisconsin
CALL TO ORDER
The open house began at 3:00 p.m.
Attendee Name Title Status Arrived
Edward Sontag FSA Representative Excused
Travis Schachtner Secretary Excused
Agnes Ring Chair Present
Richard Ottino Supervisor Excused
Andy Brinkman Vice Chair Excused
Duane Russett Supervisor Present
OTHERS PRESENT: Ellen Denzer, Community Development Director; Bob Heise, Resource
Management Administrator; Brett Budrow, Planning & Land Information Administrator;
Amanda Engesether, Senior Planner; Ryan Sterry, UW-Extension; Jeff Lueck, Conservation &
Land Use Specialist.
GUESTS PRESENT: 25 guests were in attendance.
BUSINESS ITEMS
1. Open House and Presentation – St. Croix County Farmland Preservation Zoning Update
3:00-5:30 PM
The next step in the Farmland Preservation Plan is to implement new agricultural zoning
districts to meet the state standards for certification consistent with Chapter 91: Farmland
Preservation. Maps were displayed and individuals asked specific questions of the staff
members prior to the formal presentation.
The formal presentation refreshed the residents of the County’s goals for Farmland
Preservation Zoning. Key changes to the statute and how that affects our towns and their
residents were explained. Interesting components included: the minimum lot size of 35
acres is no longer a requirement, there is more latitude for local governments to permit
agricultural accessory and related uses, and soil and water conservation compliance
measures are required for tax credits. The three tiers of tax credit components and
availability were explained. Lastly, the presentation included the two-year timeline for
the comprehensive revision of the zoning ordinance and how that affects towns’ decision-
making over the next 24 months. These presentations can be located on the County
website.
Following the presentation and corresponding questions and answers, the participants
were asked six specific questions to help guide and provide input into the drafting of the
new farmland preservation zoning districts. Most people identified their primary interest
for attendance was to preserve farmland, learn the effect on the towns, and information
seeking to determine if they will participate.
Most participated in the exercise lending invaluable information as the county moves
forward to draft acceptable districts encouraging town participation.
County staff thanked the group for their participation. The next steps will be drafting the
new zoning district(s) and meeting with individual towns to gauge level of interest and
participation.
ANNOUCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE
ADJOURN
The open house concluded at 5:15 p.m.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING - FEBRUARY 26, 2013 AT 6:00 PM IN HUDSON