PLANNING, RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Monday, September 29, 2008
Administrative Center – Room 3220
3:30 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Don Meyer, Tom Rauk, Bob Keil, Beverly Mach, Marilyn Pedretti, and David Hansen (FSA rep.)
MEMBERS EXCUSED: Don Bina
MEMBERS ABSENT: Dennis Manthei
OTHERS PRESENT: Gregg Stangl, Jeff Bluske, Mary Meehan-Strub, Mary Jo Webster, Bill Jung, Karl Green, Steve O’Malley, Gary Ingvalson, Mary Powell, Rosalie Wolff, Cheryl Stephen
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
Committee Chair Don Meyer called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION by Keil/Rauk to approve meeting minutes of September 2, 2008. Motion carried unanimously; Bina excused; Manthei absent.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None requested.
APPROVAL OF TWO (2) CEMETERY PLATS, TOWN OF BURNS
County Surveyor Bill Jung noted the two plats are not ready to bring before the committee; the originals plats need the Town Board signatures first. Bill requested referral to a future meeting.
APPROVE AN ORDINANCE TO CREATE CHAPTER 29, ENTITLED “POST-CONSTRUCTION STORM WATER MANAGEMENT” OF THE GENERAL CODE OF LA CROSSE COUNTY, WISCONSIN
Copies of the draft ordinance were sent to the committee members prior to the meeting. La Crosse County is designated as MS4 by EPA and issued an WPDES Permit from WI DNR; this permit has requirements, one being the creation of a Storm Water Management Ordinance. Permit(s) from developers will be required from Land Conservation Dept. for the following reasons:
· New development that results in the addition of .5 acres of impervious surface.
· Any new agricultural development within 300’ of a stream or 1000’ of a lake that creates impervious surface areas exceeding ˝ acre.
· A subdivision plat.
· A certified survey map or any other land development that may ultimately results in the addition of ˝ acre of impervious surfaces including individual sites that are part of a common plan of development.
· Private development of a road that will become public.
· Any site involving 1 acre or more of land disturbance activity.
Gregg asked for committee input. Plan to submit to the County Board at their October 16th meeting with approval at its 2nd reading on November 12th; he did not think a public hearing was necessary as the draft ordinance was worked on by many related departments and outside agencies. Some discussion by committee members on the fee structure; Gregg noted $500 for the base fee and $.01 for each square foot in excess of ˝ acre, plus $100 for preliminary review fee, if requested, and $500 for
Page 2 – Planning, Resources & Development Committee minutes of September 29, 2008
an exemption fee. In most cases, a stormwater permit will be required for commercial development; the permit fees are based on staff time and actual costs. Committee members suggested the following changes:
· On page 3, (23), spell out WPDES (Wisconsin pollutant discharge elimination system).
· On page 7, under definition of steep slopes, “20 percent or steeper” was used; other areas in the ordinance note 25%; need to be consistent.
· Supervisor Rauk noted the newly adopted County Comprehensive Plan has range of 20-30% relating to steep slopes; he questioned consistency between the Comp Plan and this ordinance.
MOTION by Rauk/Pedretti to approve the ordinance as presented, including the above noted suggested changes, not require a public hearing, and forward on to the County Board. Motion carried unanimously; Bina excused; Manthei absent.
DISCUSS AND ACT ON REQUEST TO EXTEND APPLICATION FOR ROSALIE WOLFF AND RJS MODULAR TRANSPORT CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 781
August 4th PRD public hearing:
Rosalie Wolff, W5445 County Road F #57, La Crosse, WI, and on behalf of RJS Mobile Modular Transports, W5994 County Road F, La Crosse spoke in regards to a petition to operate an after-the-fact mobile home transport business, storage of mobile home park equipment, storage trailer, boom truck, dumpster, flatbed trailers, four tractor-trailers, two pick-ups and parking for employees, on 0.45 acres zoned Agricultural District “A” and described as: Lot 2 of Certified Survey Map No. 49, Volume 5, Town of Medary.
Staff Recommendation: Defer to September 2nd meeting. Pay additional fee, access issues, soil stabilization issues, salvage/junk storage of materials, require office in shop, issue with hazardous materials, waste oil on ground. Do not support conditional use permit when outstanding violation – recommend compliance by August 27, 2008. Committee action: Motion Rauk/Keil to accept request for Wolff to withdraw; carried unanimously; Mach excused.
Following the public hearing, the County Code Enforcement Officer sent a letter to Ms. Wolfe on August 7th stating Permit Application #781 was withdrawn and need to submit a new application and payment by September 5, 2008; in addition must remove junk/salvage materials from the property by September 24, 2008; and address the property access issue between RJS Transport (father’s business) and Dennis Schams (brother’s property). Copy of letter was distributed. Rosalie Wolff was present and allowed to address the committee. She requested an extension to submit a new application, reason being that the cleanup is not quite done. Jeff noted Ms. Wolff did not meet the September 5th deadline, and in addition noted RJS Transport has been operating illegally for the past two months and should be asked to vacate the property or issue Ms. Wolff citation(s) being the business is on her property. Though, if the committee wants to consider another extension, the next application is due October 3 that would come before the committee on October 27, or November 7 application deadline, that includes cleanup by the last Friday in October, and the application would come before the committee on December 1. Discussion followed. Supervisor Rauk relayed compliance, health and safety concerns, noting lack of responsibility by the owner and business operator. MOTION by Keil/Mach to allow 60 day extension for the filing of new application from Rosalie Wolff. Motion carried on 3 to 2 vote: Keil-yes, Mach-yes, Pedretti-yes, Rauk-no, Meyer-no; Bina excused; Manthei absent. Jeff
Page 3 – Planning, Resources & Development Committee minutes of September 29, 2008
noted that if the cleanup is not done by the end of October, citations will be issued going back to April.
REPORT AND DISCUSSION ON CAPX 2020 POWER LINE
Jeff distributed copies of letter from CapX2020, dated September 12, 2008; it briefly reviewed the project, current and upcoming proceedings; the upcoming proceedings will involve process with Wisconsin agencies, EPA, etc., including additional hearings for public input. Pointed out that the project has an affiliation with eleven (11) power companies, as noted at the bottom of the letter. In addition, Jeff distributed copies of map showing proposed power line route from the Twin Cities down to La Crosse. Some of the power companies’ representatives would like to attend the next PRD Committee meeting (Oct. 27) to explain the timetable and route options. Jeff noted that he will also invite Town Chairs from Holland, Onalaska and Campbell.
ACT ON TOWN RECOMMENDATION RE ZONING PETITION NO. 1787, KRISTOPHER J. & JULIE A. FASSLER, TOWN OF BURNS
August 4th PRD public hearing:
Kristopher J. and Julie A. Fassler N5742 Big Creek Rd Sparta WI 54656, requested petition to rezone from the Exclusive Agricultural District to Residential District “A”, an approximately 9-acre parcel for three single-family residential sites on land described as: Part of the SE-SE of Section 24, T 17 N, R 5 W, described as follows: Beginning at the intersection of the North line of said SE-SE and the Easterly right-of-way line of Big Creek Road; thence southerly, along said East right-of-way line, to the north line of the parcel with Tax Parcel No. 3-496-0; thence easterly along said north line, to the Northeast corner of said parcel; thence continuing along the extension of said north line, 50 feet; thence Northerly, parallel with the east line of said SE-SE, to the North line of said SE-SE; thence Westerly along said North line, to the point of beginning. Also: Portion for ingress/egress easement: All that part of said SE-SE lying West of a line which is parallel with and 650’ west of the east line of said SE-SE, and East of the above described parcel and East of Tax Parcel Number 3-496-0; AND the South 40’ of that part of said SE-SE lying East of said Tax Parcel No. 3-496-0; AND the East 40’ of that part of the NE-NE of Section 25, T 17 N, R 5 W, which lies North of Highway 16, Town of Burns.
Department Recommendation: Recommended denial: The application for rezoning is not consistent with the future land use classification as adopted in the La Crosse County Comprehensive Plan. The land use classification is Agricultural and Rural. The purpose of this district is to preserve agricultural land for food and fiber production; protect productive farming by preventing conflicts between incompatible uses; maintain a viable agricultural base to support agricultural processing and service industries; reduce costs of providing services to scattered non-farm uses. Motion Rauk/Bina to approve the rezone; carried unanimously; Mach excused.
Jeff noted the committee approved the zoning petition #1787 on August 4th, but at that time had not received notification from the Town of Burns. On September 2, the town faxed a resolution in which they agree with the petition approval but included some requirements and clarifications. Jeff distributed copies of the resolution from the Town of Burns and copies of map showing the 4 parcels. He also noted the County cannot enforce any of the requirements as stated in the resolution. MOTION by Keil/Rauk to reaffirm approval of Petition #1787 for Kristopher J. and Julie A. Fassler, Town of Burns, including attachment of resolution from the Town of Burns. Motion carried unanimously; Bina excused; Manthei absent.
Page 4 – Planning, Resources & Development Committee minutes of September 29, 2008
UPDATE COUNTY ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENTS
Jeff noted staff is still working on the amendments; will bring to a future committee meeting.
2009 BUDGET REVIEW OF DEPARTMENTS
Steve O’Malley gave an overview of the following 2009 budgets:
Register of Deeds – Less revenue due to less documents being recorded.
Land Conservation – Increased permit/fee charges, plus new fees relating to Stormwater Management. Also requesting additional position (Conservation Specialist) to start mid year; this relates to stormwater management – another unfunded mandate. Pointed out that some of the fees increased significantly, though noted charges based on actual staff time and affiliated costs. All of the County fees will be reviewed and debated by the County Board during the 2009 budget approval process in which amendments can be made at that time.
UW Extension – No significant changes. The department requested additional time for the Horticulture position, but Steve did not approve it. He also reduced Youth Programs from $20,000 to 15,000 (was formerly under Special Projects).
Zoning, Planning & Land Information – Eliminated Secretary position by attrition and gave those duties to Land Description Specialist who was going to be reduced to half time. Steve did not approve funds as requested in Office Equipment Capital for rearranging office staff to make the office more efficient, though did approve funds in Other Capital Equipment to replace the County Surveyor’s vehicle.
At this time, Bill Jung noted the City of La Crosse Engineering Dept. had 3 GPS receiver units (GPSX7) available for purchase – same type of equipment as used by the County, and after some negotiations, the 3 units were purchased for $3,000 with funds from the Zoning Dept. Land Records account. These will be used as backup units or for parts.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Update on Golden Valley Trailer Court, plus CapX2020 power line project.
RECESS (4:56 p.m.)
MOTION by Rauk/Pedretti to recess until the 6:00 p.m. public hearing. Motion carried unanimously; Keil excused.
Disclaimer: The above minutes may be approved, amended or corrected at the next committee meeting.
Cheryl Stephen, Recorder