The meeting was called to order by Chair Barbara Grenlie at 7:30 p.m. Due to weather conditions the meeting scheduled for January 26, 2004 was postponed to February 2, 2004. The notice was posted in accord with open meeting laws.

Members present: Barbara Grenlie, Billl Hanson, Marian Swoboda, Marc Robertson, Donald McKay and Jim Elleson. Members absent: Steven Frame. All members were in attendance at the site visits on January 31.

Motion was made by Bill Hanson seconded by Marc Robertson and carried to approve the minutes of the October 27, 2003 meeting. Jim Elleson abstained from voting due to his absence.

Shawn Page told the committee the county has said there is no need to rezone the parcel under petition at 9890 Moen Valley Road because it was properly created prior to the effective date of the Dane County Land Division Regulations. The county also advised that the driveway leading into the garage would be considered the front of the house. After discussing what might be done to meet the setback requirements,

Motion was made by Jim Elleson seconded by Bill Hanson and carried to recommend to the board that the home site request at 9890 Moen Valley Road be approved if it is determined that rezoning the parcel is not necessary and agreement on required setbacks is reached with the county and shown on a map to be presented to the board.

Sheryl Batten appearing on behalf of the Nortman's explained that the reason for the rezoning request was to have the one acre, being transferred from the Town of Vermont to the Town of Blue Mounds, zoned the same as the acres to which it will be attached.

Motion was made by Bill Hanson seconded by Jim Elleson and carried to recommend to the board that the one acre being transferred from the Town of Vermont from the SE 1/4 of the SW 1/4 of Section 32 to the Town of Blue Mounds be rezoned from A-1EX to RH-2 with the recognition that the rezoning does not include a potential building site.

Barbara Fess presented a Dane Co. Certified Survey May showing the location of her home relative to Ryan Road and County Tr F along with a drawing of a 14' x 16' addition she wishes to make on the south side of the house in order to build a stairway leading to a loft above the kitchen. The current stairway is very steep making it difficult for her to go up and down. After discussing the county ordinance on the granting of variances,

Motion was made by Bill Hanson seconded by Marc Robertson to recommend to the board approval of the appeal with the understanding that a letter of hardship be given to the board.

A roll call vote on the motion was called. Voting for the motion: Bill Hanson and Marian Swoboda. Voting against the motion: Barbara Grenlie, Jim Elleson, Don McKay, and Marc Robertson. The reason for voting against the motion was concern over the possibility of creating a precedent in deciding future variance appeals.

Motion was then made by Jim Elleson seconded by Marc Robertson and carried that Barbara Fess return to the Plan Commission on February 23 with a letter describing the hardships in the case along with measurements in feet that the proposed addition encroaches upon the setback.

As the discussion on the petition began, Marian Swoboda told the commission that Steve Frame had talked with Larry Ziemer about possible discussions with his neighbor Brian Haroldson to see if something could be worked out on an exchange of land so that Brian could meet the county's 66' public road access to his property. Steve said that Larry indicated he would be willing to talk with Brian about the matter. Barbara Grenlie said that Steve had also told her about his conversation with Mr. Ziemer. Brian responded that certainly was good news. He said he would call Mr. Ziemer the next day.

Motion was made by Jim Elleson seconded by Marc Robertson and carried to postpone any further discussion on this matter until the February 23 meeting of the commission. Brian Haroldson then withdrew his petition in anticipation that something could be worked out.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 p.m.

Marian Swoboda, Commission Secretary