HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard of Adjustment 04-22-1999 O
AG
ST. CROIXCOUNTY
ENDq
COMMITTEE MEETING
TO: NOTICE OF COMM G
Thomas Dorsey, Chairman
FROM: St. Croix County Board
Julie Speer, Chairman
COMMITTEE TITLE: St. Croix County Board of Adjustment
DATE:
TIME: Thursday, April 22, 1999
8:30 a.m.
LOCATION:
CALL 70 ORDER:
Government Center, Hudson, Wisconsin
ROLL CALL;
ADOPTION OF AGENDA:
ACTION ON PREVIOUS MINUTES:
DATE OF NEXT MEETING:
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
OLD BUSINESS: Robert and Denise
NEW BUSINESS: See Gunderson —Variance request
Attachment
OTHER:
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND CORRESPONDENCE:
POSSIBLE AGENDA IT
ADJOURNMENT: EMS FOR NEXT MEETING:
(agenda not necessarily presented
SUBMITTED BY; in this order) --
DATE: St- Croix County Zoning Office
COPIES TO: ,County Board Office
Committee Members County Clerk
News Media/Notice Board
*CANCELLATIONS/CHANGES/AD
DITIONS
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE
The St. Croix County Board of Adjustment has scheduled a public hearing for Thursday, March 25, 1999
at 8:30 a.m. at the Government Center, 1101 Carmichael Road, Hudson, Wisconsin, to consider the
following appeals to the St. Croix County Zoning Ordinance. An on-site investigation will be made of each
site in question, after which the board will return for the purpose of deliberating and voting on the appeals.
1. ARTICLE: Variance request from 500 foot setback from neighboring residences for a major
home occupation pursuant to Section 17.155(6)(d).
APPELLANT: Richard Hill & Barbara Kuzenski
LOCATION: Located in the SW '/of the NW 114, Sectin 33, T30N-R19W, Town of St. Joseph.
2. ARTICLE: Special Exception request for a Temporary Occupancy permit to live in a
temporary mobile home while building a permanent residence pursuant to Section
17.70(3)(c)3.
APPELLANT: Denny Handrahan
LOCATION: Located in the SW'/4 of the NW'/of Section 3, T29N-R15W, Town of Springfield.
3. ARTICLE: Special Exception request for a Temporary Occupancy permit to live in a
temporary mobile home while building a permanent residence pursuant to Section
17.70(3)( c)3.
APELLANT: David and Nancy Ray
LOCATION: Located in the W%2 of the NE '/4 of Section 4, T28N-R19W, Town of Troy.
4. ARTICLE: Special Exception request for Restrictions on Filling and Grading in a Shoreland
District to re-establish a creek crossing for access to a farm pursuant to Section
17.29(1)(b)2.
APPELLANT: James and Debra Povolny
LOCATION: Located in the SW '/4 of the NE '/4 of Section 12, T28N-R15W, Town of Cady.
5. ARTICLE: Special Exception request for a Telecommunications Tower and related equipment
in the Ag/Residential District pursuant to Section 17.85(2)(b) of the Zoning Code
Regulating Wireless Communication Facilities.
APPELLANT: Arthur D. Jensen/ Loucks &Associates, Inc. on behalf of Sprint SpectrumLP
LOCATION: Located in the SW '/4 of the NW'/4 of Section 3, T28N-R16W, town of Eau Galle.
6. ARTICLE: Special Exception request for a Telecommunications Tower and related equipment
in the Ag/Residential District pursuant to Section 17.85(2)(b) of the Zoning Code
Regulating Wireless Communication Facilities.
APPELLANT: Gregory and Kathleen Johnson/ Loucks & Associates, Inc. on behalf of Sprint
Spectrum LP
LOCATION: Located in the W %2 of the SE '/4 of Section 24, T29N-R17W, Town of Hammond.
All interested persons are invited to attend said hearing and be heard. Additional information may be
obtained from the office of the St. Croix County Zoning Director, Hudson, Wisconsin at(715) 386-4680.
Julie Speer, Chairperson
St. Croix County Board of Adjustment
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BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS MEETING AND HEARING
MINUTES
April 22, 1999
(This meeting was recorded by Northwestern Court Reporters)
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Julie Speer at 8:30 a.m. A role call was made. Julie
Speer, Dick King, Nick Golz, Rich Peterson and Brian Wert were present. Chairperson Speer believes
this to be a properly noticed meeting.
Staff included: Steve Fisher, Zoning Director, Rod Eslinger, Zoning Specialist, and Debbie Murphy,
Administrative Secretary.
Motion by King, second by Peterson to adopt the agenda. Motion carried.
Chairperson Speer asked Deb Murphy to check with Corporation Counsel on wording in the minutes with
regard to the interpretation of where the Gunderson property lies in the St. Croix Riverway area. Murphy
will check with Corporation Counsel. Motion by Peterson, second by Golz to approve the March minutes
if Corporation Counsel has no changes to the minutes. Motion carried.
The Board set the next meeting date as May 27, 1999. The starting time will be 8:30 a.m.
CORPORATION COUNSEL REPORT/UPDATE ON VIOLATIONS AND LITIGATION
Corporation Counsel will be available today if needed.
OLD BUSINESS
This application was on the agenda last month and was postponed until this meeting.
Steve Dunlap, being duly sworn, is the attorney for Mr. and Mrs. Gunderson. Fisher asked Dunlap to
clarify the letters presented at the last Board of Adjustment hearing that were entered as Exhibit 15.
Fisher stated that these letters were not addressed to Mr. and Mrs. Gunderson. Dunlap explained that he
presented these letters as the land referred to in the letter was in the same area as the Gunderson
property, and that property is not included in the riverway district.
Fisher told the Board that the riverway boundary district is still in question and that he is working with
Corporation Counsel on this. Dunlap told the Board that his clients want to see this resolved as they want
to move forward with this project, or else, if they need to, will take this to a higher court. Chairperson
Speer stated that if this property is not in the riverway,they should be allowed to move forward with their
project. If there is an error in the riverway maps, this is not the Gunderson's fault, and she believes we
need to resolve this issue so that the Board can make a decision, one way or the other. Several other
Board members agreed with Chairperson Speer.
Fisher explained that this issue is very complicated, as the Gunderson property is in the riverway in our
ordinance, but not in the boundaries of N.R. 118. Fisher further stated that as the Zoning Director, he
needs to uphold the ordinance. He will continue to work at getting this issue resolved as quickly as
possible. Fisher asked the Board to table a decision in this matter until the May meeting. A motion was
made by King, second by Golz to table until May meeting. All in favor, motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
Chairperson Speer welcomed everyone in attendance and gave a brief overview of how the Board of
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Adjustment meeting is conducted. Fisher read the public hearing notice as published:
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE
The St. Croix County Board of Adjustment has scheduled a public hearing for Thursday, April 22, 1999
at 8:30 a.m. at the Government Center, 1101 Carmichael Road, Hudson, Wisconsin, to consider the
following appeals to the St. Croix County Zoning Ordinance. An on-site investigation will be made of
each site in question, after which the board will return for the purpose of deliberating and voting on the
appeals.
1. ARTICLE: Variance request from 500-foot setback from neighboring residences for a major
home occupation pursuant to Section 17.155(6)(d).
APPELLANT: Richard Hill & Barbara Kuzenski
LOCATION: Located in the SW'/4 of the NW%, Section 33, T30N-R19W, Town of St. Joseph.
2. ARTICLE: Special Exception request for a Temporary Occupancy permit to live in a
temporary mobile home while building a permanent residence pursuant to Section
17.70(3)(c)3.
APPELLANT: Denny Handrahan
LOCATION: Located in the SW'/4 of the NW'/of Section 3, T29N-R15W, Town of Springfield.
3. ARTICLE: Special Exception request for a Temporary Occupancy permit to live in a
temporary mobile home while building a permanent residence pursuant to
Section 17.70(3)( c)3.
APELLANT: David and Nancy Ray
LOCATION: Located in the W % of the NE %of Section 4, T28N-R19W, Town of Troy.
4. ARTICLE: Special Exception request for Restrictions on Filling and Grading in a Shoreland
District to re-establish a creek crossing for access to a farm pursuant to Section
17.29(1)(b)2.
APPELLANT: James and Debra Povolny
LOCATION: Located in the SW%of the NE '/4 of Section 12, T28N-R15W, Town of Cady.
5. ARTICLE: Special Exception request for a Telecommunications Tower and related
equipment in the Ag/Residential District pursuant to Section 17.85(2)(b) of the
Zoning Code Regulating Wireless Communication Facilities.
APPELLANT: Arthur D. Jensen/ Loucks &Associates, Inc. on behalf of Sprint SpectrumLP
LOCATION: Located in the SW%of the NW '/4 of Section 3, T28N-R16W, town of Eau
Galle.
6. ARTICLE: Special Exception request for a Telecommunications Tower and related
equipment in the Ag/Residential District pursuant to Section 17.85(2)(b) of the
Zoning Code Regulating Wireless Communication Facilities.
APPELLANT: Gregory and Kathleen Johnson/ Loucks &Associates, Inc. on behalf of Sprint
Spectrum LP
LOCATION: Located in the W %of the SE %of Section 24, T29N-R17W, Town of
Hammond.
All interested persons are invited to attend said hearing and be heard. Additional information may be
obtained from the office of the St. Croix County Zoning Director, Hudson, Wisconsin at (715) 386-
4680.
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Julie Speer, Chairperson
St. Croix County Board of Adjustment
Richard Hill
Fisher gave an overview of this application. The Board granted a special exception to Mr. Hill for a
major home occupation in February, 1999 for a taxidermy business. At that time, the Zoning Office
did not feel it was necessary to comply with the 500-foot setback requirement from neighboring homes
and asked the Board to waive that requirement. It has since come to the attention of the Zoning
Office that the 500-foot variance cannot be waived and Mr. Hill is back here today asking for a 375-
foot variance from a neighbors home.
The following exhibits were introduced:
Exhibit 1: Staff report
Exhibit 2 Site location map showing location of applicant's buildings and neighboring buildings.
Exhibit 3: Variance criteria sheet.
Exhibit 4: Letter from Fisher to Hill identifying events that led up to this application.
Exhibit 5: Letter from the Town of St. Joseph approving variance request.
Exhibit 6: Decision for Major Home Occupation dated March 19, 1999
Exhibit 7: Map showing Lots 2, 3 and 4
Exhibit 8: Comments from Supervisor Weinberg from the Town of St. Joseph stating his concerns
on this request.
Richard Hill and Hugh Gwin, being duly sworn, state that Hill is the applicant and Gwin is the attorney for
Mr. Hill. Gwin explained to the Board that Hill wants to run his taxidermy business out of this accessory
building. It will be a very small business and would be more like a hobby than an actual business. Hill
has met with Zoning several times on this, and after the February 28th meeting thought everything was
taken care of, only to find out that it was not and he had to apply for the variance. The Town of St.
Joseph has approved the variance.
Gwin told the Board that the neighbors have no objection to Hill putting up the building. He then
proceeded to go over the ordinance definition of an unnecessary hardship in Section 17.09 and the
Powers and Duties of the Board of Adjustment listed in Section 17.70(5)( c)(3). Gwin further stated that
he believes that this building will not be contrary to the public, the spirit of the chapter will be upheld and
that substantial justice will be done. The permit cannot be transferred to anyone else as it would be
specific to this business. Hill cannot meet the 500-foot setback from anywhere on his property. Hill's
plan is to use a very small portion of the structure for his business, mostly just for storage and a small
workshop.
The Board will visit the site.
Dennis Handrahan
Fisher explained to the Board that this request is for a temporary occupancy permit to live in a mobile
home while building a permanent residence.
The following exhibits were introduced:
Exhibit 1: Staff report
Exhibit 2: Application and attachments
Exhibit 3: Letter from Dennis Handrahan to the zoning office
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Exhibit 4: Copy of site plan of the property
Exhibit 5: Letter from the Town of Springfield recommending approval of the request
Dennis Handrahan, being duly sworn, is the owner of the property. He has put a mobile home on the
property now and has a well and septic also on the property. He will be building a new home and living
in the mobile home temporarily.
moved onto the roe it was thought b the town
Fisher explained that when the mobile home was m property,rty, g y
and the county that this was his permanent residence. When they learned that a new home would be
constructed, Mr. Handrahan was informed that he would need a permit for a temporary occupancy, as
two homes are not allowed on one parcel of land.
Rod Eslinger explained that when the new home is ready to have the septic hooked up, Handrahan will
need to get a reconnect permit to have the system hooked up. Eslinger explained the procedure. This
reconnect permit is important, as the zoning office needs to make sure that the septic is suitable for the
size of the home that is constructed.
The Board will visit the site.
David Ray
Fisher explained to the Board that Mr. Ray's home burned this past winter and a mobile home was
moved on the property so his family had a place to live. They will be constructing a new home, so they
are now asking for a temporary occupancy permit to allow them to start construction.
The following exhibits were introduced:
Exhibit 1: Staff report
Exhibit 2: Special exception application and attachments
Exhibit 3: Copy of Zoning code 17.70(3)(c)3 relating to temporary occupancy permits.
Exhibit 4: Letter from the Town of Troy recommending approval of the application
Exhibit 5: Letter from neighbor of Rays
David Ray, being duly sworn, is the owner of the property. He stated that they are cleaning up the mess
from the fire and would like to get started on their construction. They have hooked up the old septic
system to the mobile home, but will be putting in a new system for the new home. The home being
constructed will be set back farther on the property than the previous home.
The Board will visit the site.
James and Deborah Povolny
This application is in the Town of Cady. Fisher stated that there is no zoning in Cady, but the county
does enforce shoreland zoning in that town. Povolny is requesting to do some grading and filling on
slopes of greater than 20%. He is requesting to re-establish an old creek crossing to gain access to
farmland. It has come to the attention of the zoning office that there may possibly be a campground put
in. If that is the case, we need to make sure that the creek crossing can handle appropriate amount of
vehicles that will be using it.
The following exhibits were introduced:
Exhibit 1: Staff report
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Exhibit 2: Copy of special exception application and attachments
Exhibit 3: Letter from the Town of Cady stating they have no objection to this request.
Jim Povolny, being duly sworn, is the owner of the property. He owns a 120-acre farm and would like a
creek crossing put in for access to other areas on the property. He has been working with Dan Koich of
the DNR on this project. Roger Humphrey, of Humphrey Engineering, is the engineer that is working
with Povolny on this project and has suggested that they use two 6-foot culverts for the crossing. The
creek is a dry run, and according to area neighbors, there is no water that runs through it.
Povolny went on to explain that the part of the farm that he is asking for access to is a place where he
would like to start a tree farm. He addressed Fisher's concern about the campground by explaining that
it would only be friends of his that would be camping on the property and that it will probably only be
once a month that there would be someone there. He has talked with the Town of Cady and they said
that this type of use is allowed. Povolny will work with the Town of Cady on request.
Roger Humphrey, being duly sworn, is with Humphrey Engineering and is the engineer on the project.
He has done an extensive study on this and believes his plans to be appropriate for the project. The
culverts they have chosen will handle a 10-year event and he stated that this is standard for this type of
project. Humphrey presented additional information to the plan and was labeled Exhibit 4. He went on
to explain the project in detail, stating that all areas disturbed will be mulched and seeded. The soils
appear to be a sand/clay mix.
Terry Goss, being duly sworn, is a neighbor of Povolnys. He showed the Board a copy of an aerial map
and stated that the map does not show a creek there, and that in 23 years, he has never seen any water
run through this area. The map was labeled Exhibit 5.
The Board will visit the site.
The Board recessed at 10:20 a.m.
The Board reconvened at 10:30 a.m.
Arthur Jensen/Loucks &Associates. Inc.
Fisher explained that this is for a telecommunications tower in the Town of Eau Galle. He handed out
some information to the Board that was given to him by Loucks and Associates for them to review.
The following exhibits were introduced:
Exhibit 1: Staff report
Exhibit 2: Special exception application
Exhibit 3: Analysis and Justification for proposed tower
Exhibit 4: Site sketch with dimensions
Exhibit 5: Letter from Sprint addressing co-location issue
Exhibit 6: Information from Loucks stating no objection from neighboring property owners.
Exhibit 7: Letter from Jeff Nelson, towers consultant, stating questions he has on this application.
Exhibit 8: Recommendation from the Town of Eau Galle for approval of this application
Exhibit 9: Summary from consultant, Jeff Nelson, recommending approval of the site.
Exhibit 10: Information from ASAC that was requested by Jeff Nelson.
Art Jensen and Renee Zirbes, being duly sworn, state that Jensen is the owner of the property and
Zirbes is the applicant representing Loucks & Associates. Jensen explained that he believed this is a
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good place for a tower and he has had no objection from surrounding neighbors, so would like approval
from the Board.
Zirbes went over the binder of material that was handed out to the Board. She stated that they meet or
exceed all requirements that have been requested. The tower is designed to hold two other carriers.
The access to the tower will be off of BB and will be gated. They will be upgrading the existing field
drive. The structure will be surrounded by an 8-foot chain link fence. They will supply screening around
the structure and there already are some existing trees around it that will help with the screening.
Zirbes told the Board that they were unable to co-locate on any existing towers. They plan to have 6
total new sites in St. Croix County. They are looking to co-locate wherever possible, as it is much more
economical to do that .
Fisher went over the proposed conditions listed on the staff report. The triangle base will comply with
the Town of Eau Galle conditions. There was a question raised on condition number 7 with regard to the
permit not being transferable from person to person. Fisher stated that in this case, the tower would be
allowed if the property changed hands, or if someone else bought the tower. The permit would stay with
the property owner and the use.
The Board will visit the site.
Gregory Johnson
Fisher explained that the applicant has asked that this application be postponed until the May meeting.
Motion by Wert, second by King to postpone. All in favor. Motion carried.
The Board recessed at 10:50 a.m. to conduct their site visits.
DECISIONS
The Board reconvened at 2:20 p.m. to render Decisions.
Richard Hill
Motion by Golz, second by King to deny applicant's request for a 375-foot variance from a neighboring
residence to construct an accessory building to house a business. The variance was denied for the
following reasons:
1. The applicant has reasonable use of the property.
2. The applicant can utilize the existing home on the property for his business.
3. The Board believes that there is not a hardship in this matter, as there are other alternatives that
the applicant can utilize.
4. Granting of a 375-foot variance from a 500-foot setback requirement for a major home
occupation is extreme and a minor home occupation could be conducted from this property.
The following vote was taken to deny: Peterson, yes; Wert, yes; King, yes; Golz, yes; Chairperson
Speer, yes. Motion carried.
Denny Handrahan
Motion by King, second by Golz to approve request for a temporary occupation permit with the following
conditions:
1. The temporary occupancy permit is valid for a period of one year from the date if is approval by
the Board of Adjustment.
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2. Applicant to secure all required permits, including building and septic permits. For the new
residence.
3. Special Exception permit will be temporary in nature and shall not be transferable from person to
4. Any change to the above conditions shall require a new public hearing.
5. Special exception permits may be terminated under Section 17.70(7)(d) of the St. Croix County
Zoning Ordinance if the conditions of the decision are not met.
6. The above conditions shall be recorded on the property deed.
The following vote was taken to approve: Wert, yes; King, yes; Golz, yes; Peterson, yes; Chairperson
Speer, yes. All in favor. Motion carried.
David Ray
Motion by Wert, second by Golz to approve request for a temporary occupation permit with the following
conditions:
1. The temporary occupancy permit is valid for a period of one year from the date if is approval by the
Board of Adjustment.
2. Applicant to secure all required permits, including building and septic permits. For the new residence.
3. Special Exception permit will be temporary in nature and shall not be transferable from person to
4. Any change to the above conditions shall require a new public hearing.
5. Special exception permits may be terminated under Section 17.70(7)(d) of the St. Croix County
Zoning Ordinance if the conditions of the decision are not met.
6. The above conditions shall be recorded on the property deed.
The following vote was taken to approve: King, yes; Peterson, yes; Golz, yes; Wert, yes; Chairperson
Speer, yes. All in favor. Motion carried.
James and Deborah Povolny
Motion by Golz, second by Speer to approve application for special exception for filling and grading in a
Shoreland district with the following conditions:
1. Provide a driveway plan (relief map), including the materials to be used for sub-base and surface
material. Clarify road ditch stabilization practices, rip rap placement, and side slopes.
2. Submit a complete erosion control plan explaining how the side slopes will be stabilized after
construction, show how all the toe slopes will be protected, (i.e. filter fabric, silt fencing, jute
netting) and show what Best Management Practice will be used on the toe intercept.
3. Applicant to construct the creek crossing as detailed in the engineering plans. Erosion control to
be installed and maintained as identified in plans approved by the Land and Water Conservation
Dept.
4. The applicant shall receive all applicable permits from the Department of Natural Resources
before commencing project.
5. Any major changes to the above conditions shall require a new public hearing.
6. Special exception permits may be terminated under Section 17.70(7)(d) of the St. Croix County
Zoning Ordinance if the conditions of the decision are not met.
7. All construction shall be completed on or before October 1, 1999.
The following vote was taken to approve: Peterson, yes; King, yes; Golz, yes; Wert, yes, Chairperson
Speer, yes. All in favor. Motion carried.
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Art Jensen/Loucks&Associates, Inc
Motion by Wert, second by Peterson to approve the application for a telecommunications tower with the
following conditions:
1. Tower to be constructed according to the plans submitted. Applicant to follow all written
stipulations noted in their application.
2. The zoning Office is to be notified at the start and the finish of the project.
3. Project to meet all requirements of Wireless Communications Facilities Ordinance.
4. All FAA and FCC approvals/permits are to be obtained.
5. Applicant to agree to allow co-location of competitors on tower at market rate.
6. The color of the tower is to be according to the Zoning Ordinance.
7. Any change to the above conditions shall require a new public hearing.
8. Special exception permits may be terminated under Section 17.70(7)(d) of the St. Croix County
Zoning Ordinance if the conditions of the decision are not met.
The following vote was taken to approve: Golz, yes; King, yes; Peterson, yes; Wert, yes; Chairperson
Speer, yes. All in favor. Motion carried.
Motion by Wert, second by Golz to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 2:50 p.m.
Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Brian Wert, Secretary Debbie Murphy, Recording S&retaw
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