May 11, 2000 

Land Use Meeting

The meeting was called to order at 7:48 p.m.

Present:  Planning Commission members -Steve Patterson, Randy Strey, Ken Zilisch, Dean Culbertson, Paul Tassoul, Jim Ecker; Land Use Committee members Theresa Woods and Ruth Arent; Town Administrator Dave Tebo.

There were approximately 40 people in attendance.

Dean Culbertson questioned if the Planning Commission would like to take a step back and re-look at the plan.

Steve Patterson feels we can do better by taking a step back and finding a plan that satisfies more people.

Randy Strey stated we were under the impression that the Sanitary District was in bad financial condition.  That was the basis for the 80/20 ratio.  Randy feels we should drop the 80/20 and let growth happen at its own pace.   The Commission can review plans as they come in.  Some plans are already in place and now we are changing everything.  Roads were planned and now may not be utilized.

Ken Zilisch favored revisiting the plan.

Paul Tassoul stated the 80/20 came up because of land use planning not because of the financial situation of the Sanitary District.  Paul feels the major growth should be in the Sanitary District.

Jim Ecker felt the vision is correct.  The 80/20 is not the best tool and needs to be looked at again.

Theresa Woods felt we need to look at the plan again.

Ruth Arent would like to revisit the plan.  She stated we listened to many people and went with the ideas those people presented.  Ruth does not want to throw out the whole plan.

Dave Tebo then made a presentation.   Our plan established a vision to:

·        Encourage open space and agricultural use.

·        Maintain rural atmosphere – character

·        Emphasize residential development inside the Sanitary District

  The plan established strategies and actions to:

·        Allow development by conservation subdivisions with 50% open space

·        Allow development by ratio – 80/20

·        PDR/TDR

·        Update zoning ordinances – special exception review and lots sizes

When choosing a strategy areas to be considered are: 

·        Does it accomplish the vision? 

·        Can it be administered easily?

·        Is it fair and equitable?

·        How costly is it?

·        Will it receive political support?

·        Has it been tried in other places?

Current development strategies 

·      Conservation Subdivision – used so far

·      80/20 development by ratio of lot creation – used so far

·      PDR/TDR – have not look at yet

·      Combination of ratio development and CSM approvals – have not looked at yet

·      Improve zoning and general subdivision regulations – have not looked at yet

Mr. Tebo’s recommendation is that the Planning Commission recommend the following resolution to the Town Board:

WHEREAS to insure that our growth management strategies accomplish our vision; to insure that proper and administrative and legal structures are in place to enforce our strategy; to insure that all of our current zoning and subdivision ordinances are up to date and consistent with our strategies; and to insure we look in depth at all options we might have to include in our final strategy; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that from June – December 2000 we:

·        Maintain the current 80/20 policy which effectively puts a moratorium on subdivisions outside the Sanitary District;

·        Allow CSM lot creation of 1-4 lots subject to Plan Commission review

To carry out the resolution from June – December 2000: 

·        Plan Commission review growth management strategy to help us reach our vision – facilitated by an objective party; process approved by Planning Commission; and check with the Town Board after three months.

·        The staff will review the current zoning and subdivision  regulations.

·        The Plan Commission will then present a final recommendation to the Board in November and if is favorable, adopt the plan in December.

Jim Ecker supports everything presented.  Jim was concerned with there being a rush on CSM’s.   Dean Culbertson stated that CSM’s would be approved by the Planning Commission.

Ken Zilisch made a motion to proceed with the recommendation of the resolution to the Town Board.   Steve Patterson seconded the motion and it was carried.

Dean Culbertson stated we will need to find a facilitator.  We should have realtors come in and talk about conservation subdivisions and look at a PDR/TDR.  Dean read the comments received from East Central.  Some changes still need to be made to our plan to satisfy East Central.

Mike Reetz would like to see the ratio eliminated.

John Julius felt that education is the solution to solving our problems.  He is supportive of the process.

Roger Weihing feels that we should look into sharing wells.

Gene Meyer would like to see the nitty gritty developed.  How do you proceed?  Do not put the cart before the horse.  How do you propose to preserve farmland?

Steve Nagy feels the process is needed to get to where we are going.  The administrative procedures need to be in place.  Steve suggested using the following elements which he feels work in land use planning: 

·        Green plantings

·        Cluster Subdivisions with mini parks and wildlife areas

·        Screening of buildings with plants

·        Mowed lawns

·        A trail system

·        Decorative street signs and lighting

·        Protection of farms

Steve suggested that we concentrate on the finished product; that we begin with the end in mind.

Randy Strey would like the committee members to consider for the next meeting – What does rural character really mean?

The Committee will meet initially every two weeks on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.

The people in attendance were encouraged to complete and return the surveys that were available at the last meeting so the committee knows what the people want.

Paul Tassoul made a motion to adjourn the meeting.  Ken Zilisch seconded the motion and it was carried.  The meeting was adjourned at 8:58 p.m.

Deborah Wagner,  Town Clerk