HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-25-2013 Community Development Minutes MINUTES
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
April 25, 2013 6:00 PM
County Board Room - Government Center
1101 Carmichael Road, Hudson, Wisconsin
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Attendee Name Title Status Arrived
Edward Sontag FSA Representative Excused
Travis Schachtner Secretary Excused
Agnes Ring Chair Present
Richard Ottino Supervisor Present
Andy Brinkman Vice Chair Excused
Duane Russett Supervisor Present
OTHERS PRESENT: County Administrator Pat Thompson, Community Development Director
Ellen Denzer, Senior Planner Amanda Engesether and Recording Secretary Monica Lucht.
GUESTS PRESENT: FSA Board Member Susan Gausman, St. Joseph Plan Commission and
River Crossing Advisory Committee Susan Heuiser and St. Joseph River Crossing Advisory
Committee Kevin Adkins.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. March 21, 2013 6:00 PM
The minutes of March 21, 2013 were accepted as amended. Laura DeRosier, Town of St.
Joseph Plan Commission was added to the meeting attendance.
RESULT: ACCEPTED AS AMENDED
PUBLIC COMMENT*
None
BUSINESS ITEMS
1. Financial Reports
Thompson reviewed the March 2013 financial report for the Community Development
Department, and asked if the committee had any questions. The report hasn't changed
much from the month prior, and is still lagging a bit in revenues but only because grant
revenues have not shown up yet. The Parks revenue also won't show an increase until the
summer months. Revenues for the Register of Deeds is real strong based on economic
activity in the county, and expenditures are under for this time of year.
2. Update on Farmland Preservation Zoning Districts
Engesether introduced herself and summarized the first Farmland Preservation Zoning
presentation she gave to the Town of Erin Prairie, being a good kickoff meeting with
good feedback and attendance. She stated that additional presentations are scheduled
with more Towns.
Engesether gave an overview of the proposed Farmland Preservation Zoning districts,
with AG-1 Modern Agriculture District being a primary zoning district for farmland
preservation, with a proposed density of 1-lot per 40 acres. AG-2 District being a
commercial agriculture district for farmland preservation, and with a proposed density of
1 lot per 20 acres. She asked the committee if they felt those densities were sufficient.
She stated that Chapter 91 changes things incredibly such as farmland preservation
zoning districts being based on density versus lot size, no longer requiring 'Farm' lot sizes
of 35 acres or more and requiring that 80% of lands identified as farmland preservation
within the plan need to participate in farmland preservation zoning for a town to be
recertified and for residents to qualify for tax credits. She also explained the law gives
more latitude for permitted Agricultural Accessory uses. The goal is to create districts
that are much more workable for farmers, and maintain state certification by adapting to
the new Chapter 91. The changes have to be completed under a tight timeline.
Based on the timeline, the committee will hold a public hearing and make a
recommendation to the County Board on the Farmland Preservation Zoning ordinance in
August. Adoption of the ordinance by County Board is set for September or October
2013. Once the County Board adopts the new districts a one-year window opens up
during which the Town Boards will work with the County to revise their zoning maps or
write their own zoning ordinances and adopt town zoning with county board approval or
do nothing and at the end of the year have no zoning in their town. During the one-year
timeframe, county staff will administer both old and new zoning ordinances/districts. At
the end of the year, the County Board will adopt the revised town zoning maps and the
County will submit the zoning maps to the Department of Agriculture Trade and
Consumer Protection (DATCP) for certification. DATCP has up to 90 days to make a
decision. The County’s present certification will expire December 31st, 2014.
The committee asked several questions regarding the percentage of the county zoned
agricultural, how the process would work and how land adjacent to cities and villages is
addressed. The committee asked if the two proposed farmland preservation zoning
districts would be expanded to three based on public input. Engesether stated that is an
option. Information meetings are being held with most of the towns over the next several
weeks. These meetings will be posted on the county webpage for the farmland
preservation project, farmpresplan@sccwi.us.
ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING - MAY 16, 2013 AT 6:00 P.M. IN HUDSON