PLANNING, RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

PUBLIC HEARING

March 5, 2007

County Board Room – Administrative Center

5:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

CALL TO ORDER

The recessed meeting and Public Hearing of the Planning, Resources and Development Committee was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Committee Chair George Hammes.  Let the record show that this meeting is called in full compliance with the requirements of the Wisconsin Open Meetings Law.

Procedures for tonight’s meeting are explained to those gathered.

REVIEW AND ACT ON RESOLUTION REGARDING ADOPTION OF AMENDMENTS TO LA CROSSE COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN

Motion by Rauk/2nd by Meyer to place Resolution on the floor for adoption, so it could be discussed.

Bina questioned what meetings have been held in these townships.

Hammes asked for comments from the public.

Janell Fasnacht  W7761 Devon Place  Holmen WI.  Wants to make sure the plan is not hurried.  Speaking on behalf of about 90 people who signed a protest petition.  They have talked to the developer and the Town Board.  No agreement or concessions were arrived at.  No compromise offered.

Hammes said the Town Plan started in 2003, then hired same consultant that the County has.  This group came in when the zoning issue came to hearings.  Town put a Moratorium on plats and development until after the plan was adopted.  He said the plan was not rushed.

Marion Naegle  N7845 Amsterdam Prairie Road  Holmen WI.  Marion had concerns over being rushed, did attend Comprehensive Plan meetings – they did ask the Town Board to reconsider action to not include areas and they didn’t reconsider it.

Bina asked Handy about a process and how to handle conflict between plans, should be the whole town, not just the board.  Handy said they can get into negotiations and by plan amendments.

Handy said that first the Towns and County must create a public participation plan and from that participation a plan is put together.  No mediation involved.  Town Board did have comment period and followed procedure.

Bina asked if the plan could be amended.  Handy replied that yes, that is what they just did.  Handy said the County can not amend the Town Plan, only our County Plan. 

Meyer questioned whether there would be conflicts between the plan and zoning.  Charlie replied yes, most definitely.

Fasnacht said a town survey was mailed out and completed by 40 percent of residents, residents said they did not want what is happening in the rezone in the plan.  The Town Board still included it in the plan.

Hammes agreed that not all the planned development be developed all at once because this is a many year town plan. 

Bina questioned if the Board said it should be commercial or if this was the public’s idea; 260 acres is much for commercial.

Handy explained the projected acreage of towns between certain populations, proposed development in each town for the next 10 years.  As an example, for 1000 acres, 70 percent should be for residential and 30 percent or 300 acres should be commercial over the next 10 years.  Plenty of room figured into numbers.  If one town fills up with these acreages, then that town board would have to go to the other towns and get some of their acreages for more development.

Rauk questioned the authority given the County Board to allow 8,000 acres to be developed in this 10-year span.  Wants permit trends and market adjustments addressed.

Motion by Bina/2nd by Kapanke to amend 20 years to 10 years in the ‘BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED’ paragraph of the resolution.  Carried Unanimously.

Motion by Rauk/2nd by Kapanke to amend the same paragraph to include the town plan number or date plan approved, such as May, 2005 for the Town of Onalaska Plan, January 2007 for the Town of Holland Plan and fall of 2006 for the Town of Hamilton amendment.

Carried Unanimously.

Chairman Hammes called for the question to approve the resolution with the two amendments.  Motion failed 4-2; Keil, Meyer, Bina and Rauk opposed – Hammes, Kapanke in favor.

Bina said the residents are asking for harmony within the towns.

Handy said the Committee must split the issue of the plans by not including a zoning issue at the same time.  He suggested letting the County Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee come up with its process to effectuate the plans. 

Rauk asked each committee member to find from their own perspective how to handle this issue before the next PR&D Committee.       

Motion by Meyer/2nd by Bina to adjourn at 6:00 p.m.

Motion passes unanimously.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m.

The above minutes may be approved, amended, or corrected at the next Committee meeting. 

Jeff Bluske, Recorder