MINUTES
TOWN OF VERMONT PLAN COMMISSION MEETING
NOVEMBER 29, 2004
The meeting was called to order by the Chair, Bill Hanson, at 7:40 p.m. The Secretary certified the notice had been posted at the Black Earth State Bank, Amcore Bank in Mt. Horeb on the town web site and on the front door of the town hall; also published in the News Sickle Arrow and the Mt. Horeb Mail newspapers.
Members present: Bill Hanson, Marc Robertson, Barbara Grenlie, Marian Swoboda, Jim Elleson, Don McKay
Members absent: David Stanfield
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion was made by Barbara Grenlie seconded by Don McKay and carried to approve the October 25, 2004 meeting minutes.
SANFORD/DONNA STEVENSON and MARK/CAROL FRIESCH
LAND USE CHANGE APPLICATION - PETITION #1
The committee reviewed a land use application, petition #1, from the above named individuals, owners Sanford and Donna Stevenson and prospective buyers Mark and Carol Friesch, requesting a two acre zoning change to RH-1; approval of a home site and a driveway all within an existing parcel of 54.61 acres zoned AG1-Ex. The parcel contained one potential building site. If the petition were to be approved there would be no potential building sites remaining. The land is located in the SW 1/4 SW1/4 of Section 27, Town of Vermont. Approval of the petition depended upon access to a public road.
Motion was made by Don McKay and seconded by Bill Hanson that petition #1 from Sanford/Donna Stevenson and Mark/Carol Friesch be approved subject to legal access to County Tk JG as agreed to verbally by both parties present and to require a deed restriction that no building sites may be created outside the two acres rezoned to RH-1. The motion passed with five of the commissioners present voting in favor and one, Barbara Grenlie, abstaining.
SANFORD/DONNA STEVENSON and MARK/CAROL FRIESCH
LAND USE CHANGE APPLICATION - PETITION #2
The second application, petition #2, from the above individuals requested approval on rezoning 10 acres from within the 54.61 acre parcel to RH-3 for the purpose of spliting off the house and barn at 3506 Bohn Road from the rest of the property. A preliminary certified survey map provided the legal description: All that part of the South 1260 feet of the SE1/4 of the SE1/4 of Section 28, T7N, R6E lying easterly of the C/L of Bohn Road. Located in the Town of Vermont, Dane County, Wi.
The only concern with the application was the question whether or not Bohn Creek could be used to separate the remaining land to the East and if so what the consequences might be on future land development. It was pointed out that the deed restriction required in approving petition #1 would prohibit the creation of an additional building site. Steve Frame agreed to contact Norbert Scribner, head of Land Division review in the County Planning and Development office for clarification.
Motion was made by Don McKay seconded by Bill Hanson to approve the rezoning of 10 acres described in petition #2 filed by the Stevenson's and Friesch's from Ag-1 to RH-3. The motion carried with five of the commissioners present voting in favor with Barbara Grenlie abstaining.
IDENTIFICATION OF POSSIBLE ISSUES FACING THE TOWN IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS
The following issues were identified by the commissioners:
1. Pressure for multiple housing
2. Pressure to undo 35 acre density
3. Road traffic with more housing (maintenance)
4. Use/safety of bicycles on town roads
5. Overpopulation of deer & other wildlife
6. Loss of rest of farms
7. Pressure on farmer's use of traditional farming techniques
8. Development of large "home" business's bordering on commercial
9. Erosion of rules on building site/driveways by excessive variances
10. Higher taxes due to school & fire levy increases with rapid growth of Mt. Horeb & Black Earth
11. Public transportation access
12. Transfer of building rights
13. Garbage collection
14. Convenience stores
15. Budget pressures
16. Recreation/horse trails/walking trails/park land
17. Ground water pressure
18. Keeping local control
19. Identification of ag significant land
20. Maintaining rural character
21. Consistent decisions of elected officials, building inspector, county offices
22. Viable truck farming
23. Property tax relief
JANUARY 18, 2005 PUBLIC FORUM ON COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING
Marian Swoboda reported that Bill Rizzo, Commuinity Resource Development Educator with Dane County UW-Extension agreed to facilitate (moderate) the January forum. Jim Elleson agreed to work with him on the development of the format and also to draft a letter to the town citizens and property owners inviting them to the meeting.
DECEMBER MEETING DATE
Motion was made by Bill Hanson seconded by Jim Elleson and carried to hold the December meeting on December 20, 2004 due to the Christmas Holidays.
ADJOURNMENT
The chair adjourned the meeting at 10:00 p.m.
Marian Swoboda, Commission Secretary