PLANNING, RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

 

Monday, October 1, 2007

Administrative Center – Room 3220

4:00 p.m.

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:  George Hammes, J. Terry Hanson, Tom Rauk, Don Meyer, Don Bina, Bob Keil, Brian Kapanke, David Hansen (FSA rep.)  

MEMBERS EXCUSED:  None  

MEMBERS ABSENT:  None

STAFF & GUESTS:  Jeff Bluske, Gregg Stangl, Mary Meehan-Strub, Mike Weibel, Bill Jung, Charlie Handy, Cheryl Stephen

 

CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL

Committee Chair George Hammes called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

MOTION by Hanson/Keil to approve minutes of September 4, 2007.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

None requested.

 

RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS ON STEEP SLOPE SITES WITHIN LA CROSSE COUNTY

Gregg Stangl noted a group made up of County staff, including Land Conservation, Planning, Highway, Emergency Management, UW-Extension, plus other state and federal related offices, as well as developers and contractors, had met on September 20th and discussed and debated the issue of development on sites with 20-30% soil slopes.  Gregg showed a slide slow on recent flood related issues relating to steep slope development.  He noted 12.2 inches of rain for southern portion of the County on August 18th and 19th; it had exceeded all previous rainfall records so it was an unusual storm.  Gregg also showed topography maps that showed areas of slope at 30% or above; total amount of this type of acreage in the County is 55,000 acres and slopes with 20-30% is another 38,000 acres; these acreages total 1/3 of the entire County.  It was agreed by the group, that areas that had extensive disturbance to the native soils or had fill materials brought into the site, suffered the greatest amount of damage from land slide activity.  The group, by general agreement, agreed in principle that slopes of 20-30% should remain eligible for development, but certain restrictions should be applied, those being:

Committee members had miscellaneous questions.  Committee Chair Hammes directed Gregg to bring forth the above noted recommendations in County ordinance format for further review by the committee.

 

UW –EXTENSION WRITTEN QUARTERLY REPORTS

Committee Chair Hammes noted UW Extension quarterly reports as received and filed.  At this time Mary Meehan-Strub distributed copies of the Money Smart seminars scheduled during the week of October 8-12, 2007.

 

COMMITTEE UPDATE ON COUNTY DISASTER MITIGATION PLAN – POSSIBLE PUBLIC HEARING DATE

Jeff Bluske noted the Mississippi River Regional Planning Commission (MRRPC) is working on the County Mitigation Plan; the plan will show which properties are in the floodplain/floodway; the plan is scheduled to be ready in November including some public hearings.  Jeff and Mike Weibel have visited flood damaged sites which were all located in the Town of Shelby.  During their visits, they prepared “substantial damage estimate” which is determined as:  50% or more being damaged based on fair market value.  Copies of the “Guidance on Estimating Substantial Damage”, using the National Flood Insurance Program substantial damage estimator, were distributed.  Mike noted the following:  1) 21 total structures in that particular area, 4 were not affected, 14 homes had foundation collapses with 1 that had water on first floor.  A FEMA representative had come and gave a training session, including software.  All of the homeowners in this area will receive letters relating to findings of “substantial damage”.  Jeff noted the importance of recordkeeping including pictures.          

 

DISCUSS GEORGE WEBSTER OWNERSHIP ISSUE RELATING TO ZONING PETITION NO. 1759

Jeff distributed copies of a letter sent by Attorney Sean O’Flaherty on behalf of George Webster who owns property adjacent to James W. Davis who has filed Zoning Petition No. 1759, requesting rezone of  0.52 acre parcel from Agricultural District “A” to Agricultural District “B”, to be used for a nine campsite expansion to the Lake Neshonoc Campground.  The attorney’s letter is questioning ownership.  Staff has researched, and based on findings, there is no reversionary clause.  The Warranty Deed dated January 6, 1940, Volume 188, page 325, between Theodore Frank Bolles and Mabel O. Bolles, his wife, and Margaret Bolles Jones parties of the first part, and Ezekial C. Swarthout party of the second part.  The portion of the Deed relating to the above, as follows:  “The grantors reserve for themselves, their heirs and assigns the following rights and privileges:  A. The right in the event said land or any part thereof hereby conveyed is not covered by water from the La Crosse River or water impounded by the dam of grantee, to use for pasture purposes such of said lands as may not be so covered by water.”  Jeff reiterated again that this is not a reversionary clause.  He also noted that County Corporation Counsel concurs with the findings.  Jeff said there will be another public hearing on Zoning Petition No. 1759 as Mr. Webster claims he did not receive notification for the first public hearing.

 

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

Jeff noted the County Historic Sites Preservation Commission has suggested that they report to this committee versus currently reporting to the Executive Committee.  Jeff suggested the merits of such be discussed at the next meeting.

 

Greg requested discussion of a recent fish kill on Dutch Creek that occurred from a recent rain event.

 

RECESS (4:53 p.m.)

MOTION by Hanson/Keil to recess until the 6:00 p.m. public hearing.  Motion carried unanimously.  

 

Disclaimer:  The above minutes may be approved, amended or corrected at the next committee meeting.

Cheryl Stephen, Recorder