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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-19-2013 Community Development Minutes MINUTES COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE September 19, 2013 5:00 PM County Board Room - Government Center 1101 Carmichael Road, Hudson, Wisconsin CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Susan Gausman FSA Representative Present Travis Schachtner Secretary Present Agnes Ring Chair Present Richard Ottino Supervisor Present Andy Brinkman Vice Chair Present Duane Russett Supervisor Present OTHERS PRESENT: County Board Supervisor Daryl Standafer, County Administrator Pat Thompson, Finance Director Tabatha Hansen, Community Development Director Ellen Denzer, Register of Deeds Beth Pabst, Land Information Administrator Brett Budrow, Land Use Administrator Kevin Grabau, Senior Planner Amanda Engesether, Land Use & Conservation Technician Dan Sitz and Recording Secretary Monica Lucht. GUESTS PRESENT: 24 guests were present at the meeting. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. August 15, 2013 6:00 PM The minutes of August 15, 2013 were accepted as distributed. RESULT: ACCEPTED PUBLIC COMMENT* None PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. Rezoning-Cronk, Town of Baldwin COMMENTS - Current Meeting: Grabau reviewed the staff report and maps for the Cronk rezoning request. The Town Board of Baldwin has recommended approval. The Cronks own a 46.55 acre parcel located in the Town of Baldwin that is zoned as Agricultural District. They would like to split the parcel into a 14.0 acre lot and a 32.55 acre lot. Since the minimum lot/parcel size allowed in the Agricultural District is 35.0 acres, rezoning would be required prior to subdividing the parcel. The Cronks have requested to rezone 14.0 acres of their property to Agricultural Residential in order to create a lot around the existing house and farm buildings in order to sell the property. The request also includes rezoning the remaining 32.55 acres to Agricultural District Two (Ag II) in order to create a lot that they will retain. The entire property is currently used for agricultural uses and both of the future lots will continue to be used for agricultural uses. The Cronks are currently renting out the 14.0 acre area of the property to the future owners of the lot. Chair Ring asked if anyone wanted to speak in favor of, or in opposition to the rezoning request. Dave Niccum, Plan Commission Town of Baldwin, reiterated that the Plan Commission has recommended approval of the request. Richard Cronk, applicant, stated that he hopes this rezoning will get approved by the committee. Don Johnson, Town Board of Baldwin Supervisor, also stated that the Town Board has recommended approval of the rezoning request. Hearing no further comments, the public hearing was closed. RESULT: CLOSED 2. Amendments to Chapter 17 Zoning Agricultural Districts COMMENTS - Current Meeting: Chair Ring welcomed the guests that came for the public hearing and introduced Engesether. Engesether gave a power-point presentation recapping when the first draft presentation of the Farmland Preservation Zoning amendments were presented to the committee back in July. In August, the committee was shown the second review, scheduling the public hearing for the September meeting. Staff has done several outreach efforts with the communities since January of this year. The website has also been continuously updated with information. Engesether addressed the key comprehensive plan policies that are the basis for these zoning amendments. The State of Wisconsin also provided the model ordinance with the rules and structures of specific uses that are permitted versus conditional. Seven of the ten newly defined terms come directly from the State statutes. Engesether summarized the new St. Croix County language including AG-1 district creation, purpose statement, and permitted uses. Engesether specifically mentioned the effective date language within the seasonal storage permitted use, would be removed. She continued summarizing Ag-1 Conditional Uses and the conditional use standards, as well as the new language for Ag-2 district creation, purpose statement and Conditional Uses with their corresponding standards. The Administration and Enforcement section explains the standards for how to rezone out of the amended Ag districts, which must be consistent with Town and County Comprehensive Plans. Additional amendments discussed included a proposed name change to Rural Residential for the current Ag-Res district. The proposed name change to Rural Residential is to reflect the increase in rural large-lot subdivisions with the Ag-Res zoned areas. A complete overhaul of the Ag Residential/Rural Residential district will be made during the second comprehensive revision in 2015-2016. Engesether concluded the presentation by explaining the comprehensive revision and stating that the one-year countdown for implementation of the Ag-1 and Ag-2 districts will start at County Board adoption. October 2013 to September 2014 staff will meet and work with all Towns to opt in or out of new County Zoning and rework their Town zoning maps for County Board Adoption. By the end of September 2014, application for certification of all participating Town zoning maps are due. This will start the 90-day review process for DATCP certification. Engesether reviewed some Town zoning map examples explaining existing zoning in relation to the qualified or eligible Farmland Preservation lands. She explained Ag zoning eligibility is based on those areas identified as “green” within the Countywide Farmland Preservation Plan Map. Town Boards will decide if they are going to participate in Farmland Preservation and whether to zone some eligible lands either Ag-1 or Ag-2. Towns currently in Ag-Res can also choose to continue in Ag-Res, or can rezone from Ag-Res to Ag based on the Farmland Preservation Plan Map. If Towns take no action, they will become unzoned at the end of September 2014. Several members of the public asked questions wanting to know the differences between zoned and unzoned, also asked were questions regarding if small farms will be mixed in with larger farms. Engesether, Denzer and Sitz answered the questions. The committee asked what will happen if Towns are slow to respond. Engesether believes this won't be the case because Towns will need to adopt something to avoid becoming an unzoned Town. Chair Ring asked if anyone would like to speak in favor of or in opposition of the proposed ordinance amendments. Ruth Hilfiker from New Richmond submitted written comments and spoke in favor, but also had suggestions for wording changes. Greg Zwald from the Town of Kinnickinnic spoke in favor stating he is happy about some of the open doors, but hopes the committee will open the door wider. He would like permitted uses better outlined to say what is actually acceptable and permitted, and feels the "you -pick" berry farms should not need a conditional use permit. Engesether also read written comments submitted by Robert Sigafoos and Lydia Albu, both listing wording changes they would like the committee to consider. Chair Ring asked if anyone else would like to comment or speak on the proposed ordinance amendments. Hearing no further comments, the hearing was closed. The committee recessed at 7:10 p.m; reconvened at 7:30 p.m. RESULT: CLOSED BUSINESS ITEMS 1. 2014 Budget Review Hansen reviewed that each budget has a 5% increase in health insurance, and 3.5% increase for retirement factor built into it. Pay for Performance has not been factored in yet, and Hansen will update the budget when those figures are received. Capital requests are in Fund 400 and are depreciable items up to 5 years out. It is one of Thompsons goals to work on a capital improvement plan. Each department was also asked to come up with a "lean event" to be completed in 2014. Hansen summarized that she is working on a consistent use of object codes across all departments. New object codes were setup for the new budget year with regards to small equipment, computer equipment and operating supplies. Hansen reviewed the Community Development Department budget comparing it to the last 3 years. Fringes are up a bit due to combining and moving staff around, with two support staff coming out of UW-Extension and into Community Development. Thompson explained that the total budget is not in balance yet and he will start round 2 with Department Heads that have budgets that need to be revisited to reduce expenditures. The budget will be presented to the County Board on October 1, 2013, and when it reaches the Committee of the Whole, the budget will be in balance. Chair Ring asked if the committee had any questions. The committee questioned Denzer on what the process is for a mid-year decision on if something can be spent or not; what considerations did the department make in the budget. Denzer answered that evaluations were done on what small equipment is needed as well as what projects are coming up. Denzer said she builds flexibility into the budget to move funds for items that could not be anticipated. The department tries to anticipate tools and specifics needed, and looks at trends and the overall big picture for software. The plan to replace computer equipment is every 5 years, and then an equal number every year thereafter. Also identified for every 5 years was capital items such as a vehicle. The Parks budget has to anticipate maintenance, equipment and damages. An estimate is put into the budget in anticipation of unexpected expenses. The committee also questioned the mitigation money and possibly more staff needing to be involved. Denzer answered that the budget has an account for professional services and the intended use is for legal review. Denzer explained she has already moved staff around, and a portion of their time will go towards Riverway Mitigation. The intent is to also apply for grants to have additional money to spend. Thompson stated that the budget is scheduled to go to the Committee of the Whole on October 23, 2013. 2. Financial Reports Hansen reviewed the financial report for August 2013. The expense lines look on target. Economic Development pays their bills quarterly so their expenses look a bit higher, but they will remain on budget. Overall, the revenues and expenses are on track for the year. 3. Amendments to St. Croix County Code of Ordinances Land Use and Development Chapter 17 Zoning Section 17.72 Rezoning Amendments - Cronk, Town of Baldwin Motion by Russett, 2nd by Ottino recommending County Board approval of the rezoning. Motion carried. RESULT: RECOMMENDED [5 TO 0] MOVER: Duane Russett, Supervisor SECONDER: Richard Ottino, Supervisor AYES: Travis Schachtner, Agnes Ring, Richard Ottino, Andy Brinkman, Duane Russett ABSTAIN: Susan Gausman 4. An Ordinance Amending, Repealing and Reenacting Portions of Chapter 17- Zoning- Agricultural Districts and Amending Terminology in Chapter 14 of the St. Croix County Code of Ordinances Motion by Schachtner, 2nd by Russett to bring the ordinance amendments to Chapter 17 to the table for discussion. Chair Ring asked staff for an overview of all the comments heard tonight, so the committee could have a short discussion before making a determination if they should act on the ordinance amendments tonight or at a future meeting. Denzer explained the one-year time frame. Built into the time frame is 90 days for the State to review for DATCP certification. The Towns need to act by the end of September 2014 for the State to have until the end of 2014 to review, or tax credits may be lost. If the committee's decision is delayed a month, the State could take only 60 days to review, but if the review goes into 2015, tax credits for property owners will be lost for an entire year. After much discussion by the committee and staff, it was decided to strike "you-pick" and road side stands from 17.09 Definitions, page 2, number 5 Agricultural Entertainment, and add it under 17.09 Definitions, page 1, number 2, Agricultural Accessory Use as seasonal you pick and road side stands. Motion by Schachtner, 2nd by Ottino to amend the amendments to the ordinance as per staff recommendation, moving you-pick and road side stands from Agricultural Entertainment to Agricultural Accessory Use as seasonal you-pick and road side stands. Vote on the amendment. Motion carried. Vote on the Ordinance Amending, Repealing and Reenacting Portions of Chapter 17- Zoning- Agricultural Districts and Amending Terminology in Chapter 14 of the St. Croix County Code of Ordinances as amended. Motion carried. RESULT: RECOMMENDED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Travis Schachtner, Secretary SECONDER: Duane Russett, Supervisor AYES: Susan Gausman, Travis Schachtner, Agnes Ring, Richard Ottino, Andy Brinkman, Duane Russett 5. Resolution Approving Application For County Conservation Aids Grants 2014 - 2018 Denzer explained that the WI DNR agreed to a 5-year resolution instead of the usual annual resolution. The County applies for the $1,988.00 grant on behalf of the Sportsmans Alliance. The Community Development budget matches the amount for the Sportsmans Alliance to do a small project somewhere in the County that improves hunting and fishing in the County in some way. Approval of this resolution will include a commitment to match the grant for the next 5 years. Motion by Schachtner, 2nd by Russett approving the Resolution for County Conservation Aids Grants 2014-2018. Motion carried. RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Travis Schachtner, Secretary SECONDER: Duane Russett, Supervisor AYES: Susan Gausman, Travis Schachtner, Agnes Ring, Richard Ottino, Andy Brinkman, Duane Russett ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE Denzer invited the committee to save the date to attend the 2013 Shoreland Zoning update public information meeting to be held on October 29, 2013 at the Star Prairie Town Hall. ADJOURN The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m. DATE OF NEXT MEETING - OCTOBER 17, 2013 AT 6:00 P.M. IN HUDSON Respectfully Submitted: Monica Lucht