MINUTES

TOWN OF VERMONT PLAN COMMISSION MEETING

SEPTEMBER 26, 2005

The meeting was called to order by the Chair, Barbara Grenlie at 7:30 p.m. Marian Swoboda reported the meeting notice had been posted at the Black Earth State Bank, Amcore Bank in Mount Horeb, on the front door of the Town Hall and on the town web site, www.townofvermont.com: also published in the News Sickle Arrow and the Mount Horeb Mail.

Members present: Barbara Grenlie, Marian Swoboda, Mark Sherven, Jim Elleson, Don McKay and Marc Robertson.

AGENDA APPROVAL

Motion was made by Mark Sherven seconded by Marc Robertson and carried to appove the meeting agenda.

AUGUST 29, 2005 MEETING MINUTES

Motion was made by Mark Sherven seconded by Don McKay and carried to table approval of the August 29 meeting minutes to give the commission time to review agreed upon deletions and corrections.

WHERE DOES BELL ROAD END?

As directed by the board a discussion was held on the question of where Bell Road ends. The question was precipitated by improvements made to a driveway from the Stenlie farm to an assumed easement leading to Bell Road. Several interested citizens and property owners expressed their viewpoints on the question. Board minutes were used to chronicle the history. A February'1995 survey of the Steinberg property showing Bell Road was distributed. Written documents on the subject were also given to the commission for review. Following the discussion,

Motion was made by Mark Sherven seconded by Mark Robertson and carried to table the question. Jim Elleson, Mark Sherven, Mark Robertson, Don McKay and Marian Swoboda voted yes, Barbara Grenlie voted no.

PROPOSED LAND USE PETITION BRIAN & LeANN HAROLDSON

The discussion on the land use petition centered around the question of whether or not there was another building site on the 64.55 acres owned by the Haroldson's. Two sites were allocated after January 1, 1985. The acreage was a part of a 99.10 acre tract owned by the Diel family on January 1, I985 with three potential home sites. The other 34.55 acres containing the grandfathered farm house was sold to the Ziemers also after January 31,1985. Inasmuch as no mention could be found on how the Diels intended to allocated the three sites, the commission was asked for an opinion. The commission felt the three sites should be allocated in proportion to the number of acres in each parcel.

The chair ruled the proposed petition be returned to the Haroldson's because of its incompleteness. The proposed building site was not noted, a driveway location application was not filed and public road access was uncertain. In addition a site visit needs to take place before the commission can act upon a petition.

COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING UPDATE

Jim Elleson reported 53 surveys had been returned so far and that reminder letters would be soon sent to those who had not responded.

VALIDATION OF HOME SITE AND DRIVEWAY LOCATIONS

Barbara Grenlie reported a Global Positioning System (GPS) had been purchased for the commission for recording the positioning of home sites and driveway locations and that the building inspector's monitoring responsibilities in the process would be spelled out in the contract between the town and the inspector.

TOWN ORDINANCE CHANGES

The commission discussed possible ways to respond to the board's directive to begin the drafting of proposed changes to the town ordinances. The commission thought the first thing that needs to be done is to self-educate ourselves on the issues. Ordinance inforcement along with penalities and fees was thought to be a top priority. The driveway and building ordinances were identified as needing attention. Setting up an ordinance revision committee was suggested. Sufficient copies of the ordinances should be made available for town officials.

2006 PLAN COMMISSION BUDGET

In order to respond to continuing comprehensive planning needs and ordinance revisions increased budget allocations will be required in the coming year. The comprehensive survey expense of approximately $2,000 will need to be paid in 2006, one additional meeting per month will be required, legal review of the ordinance work will be necessary and the work of the commission secretary will increase. The chair agreed to present a recommended budget to the board.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion was made by Jim Elleson seconded by Don McKay and carried to adjourn the meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 10:15 p.m.

Marian Swoboda, Commision Secretary