HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutesPLAN COMMISSION MINUTES
August 2, 2011
PRESENT: David Borsuk, Ed Bowen, Jeffrey Thorns, Steve Cummings, Kathleen Propp, Dennis
McHugh, Donna Lohry, Robert Vajgrt, Karl Nollenberger
EXCUSED: Thomas Fojtik, John Hinz
STAFF: Darryn Burich, Director of Planning Services; David Buck, Principal Planner; Jeffrey
Nau, Associate Planner; Lynn Lorenson, City Attorney; Deborah Foland, Recording
Secretary
Chairperson Propp called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm. Roll call was taken and a quorum declared
present.
The minutes of July 19, 2011 were approved as presented. (Nollenberger / Vajgrt)
L EXTRATERRITORIAL TWO -LOT LAND DIVISION /CERTIFIED SURVEY MAP AT
4489 SAND PIT ROAD IN THE TOWN OF OMRO
This request is for a two -lot land division/certified survey map from one existing parcel containing a
total of 2.87 acres. Sizes of the proposed lots are as follows:
Lot 1 = 1.03 Acres
Lot 2 = 1.84 Acres
Mr. Bowen arrived at 4:02 pm.
Mr. Nau presented the item and reviewed the site and surrounding area as well as the zoning
classifications in said area. He explained that the purpose of the land division was to enable the
property owner to sell off part of the parcel for residential development. He further stated that the
request was consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and the Department of Public Works has
reviewed the land division and has no concerns with it.
Connie Martini, 1051 S. Oakwood Road, stated that she was representing the owner and had brought
the original certified survey map for signature if the request was approved.
Ms. Lohry questioned if the Town of Omro approved of this request.
Mr. Nau responded that he was not aware if the Town had reviewed the request at this time. Approval
is required from both parties and what order the approvals are received is irrelevant.
Motion by Nollenberger to approve the land division /certified survey map at 4489 Sand Pit
Road in the Town of Omro as requested.
Seconded by Borsuk. Motion carried 9 -0.
II. EXTRATERRITORIAL THREE -LOT LAND DIVISION /CERTIFIED SURVEY MAP
AT 2308 COUNTY ROAD FF IN THE TOWN OF UTICA
Plan Commission Minutes
August 2, 2011
This request is for a three -lot land division/certified survey map from two existing parcels containing a
total of 79.849 acres. Sizes of the proposed lots are as follows:
Lot 1 = 10.720 Acres
Lot 2 = 13.624 Acres
Lot 3 = 55.505 Acres
Mr. Nau presented the item and reviewed the site and surrounding area as well as the zoning
classifications in said area. He explained that the purpose of the land division was to create another
developable parcel and the existing agricultural use will be maintained on the property. He further
stated that the size of the lots is consistent with the required standards and the Comprehensive Plan and
the Department of Public Works has reviewed the request and has no concerns with the proposed land
division.
Ms. Lohry inquired if the Town of Utica has approved of this request.
Mr. Nau responded that the Town was in the process of reviewing it at the time the staff report was
prepared and has since approved of the request.
Mr. Thorns questioned how this land division was consistent with the Comprehensive Plan.
Mr. Burich stated that since lot 1 and lot 3 already exist, the creation of lot 2 is considered an infill
land division and is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan.
Motion by Vajgrt to approve the land division /certified survey map at 2308 County Road FF in
the Town of Utica as requested.
Seconded by Borsuk. Motion carried 9 -0.
III. PROPOSED TEXT AMENDMENT TO ZONING ORDINANCE CHAPTER 30,
SECTION 30 -4 NONCONFORMING USE REGULATIONS
The Department of Community Development requests review and approval of an amendment to the
City of Oshkosh Zoning Ordinance repealing and recreating Section 30 -4 Nonconforming Structure
and Use Regulations, which is a portion of Article II: General Provisions.
Mr. Buck presented the item and explained the purpose of revising the regulations. He explained that
the proposed text amendment had been previously reviewed by the Plan Commission at a workshop in
December of 2010 and again as an action item in January of 2011. The request was tabled at the
January meeting to allow the Board of Appeals to review the proposed amendment which took place at
a workshop in February of 2011. The Board of Appeals members supported the request as they felt it
would make the ordinance more understandable and would help with interpretations of the code and
would be defensible. He also reviewed the specific changes to the ordinance.
Robert Cornell, 548 W. Smith Avenue, Chairman of the Board of Appeals, stated that of the comments
included in the staff report from the Board of Appeals, the most important was the one relating to the
clean -up of nonconformities in the community. He further stated that one of the biggest problems the
Board encounters is citizens misunderstanding the code requirements. The Board of Appeals is not an
advisory board and their decisions are final unless the applicant wishes to appeal the decision with the
County Judicial System. He further explained that the Board has to determine findings when granting
a variance to support their decision and the Board members requested that he attend this meeting to
support the proposed amendment as the ordinance needs to be brought up to date.
Plan Commission Minutes
August 2, 2011
Mr. McHugh questioned if Mr. Cornell felt that the City has gone too far with the proposed
amendment or not far enough.
Mr. Cornell responded that he felt the amendment made matters pretty clear and covers the issues
adequately as well as making the ordinance easier for citizens to understand.
Mr. Thorns inquired how the proposed amendment helps to address issues from a judicial standpoint.
Lynn Lorenson, City Attorney, replied that the definition section of the ordinance previously did not
exist and this addition clarifies matters as well as defines what is considered maintenance, alterations,
etc. which should alleviate misinterpretations of the code requirements.
Motion by Vajgrt to approve the text amendment to Zoning Ordinance Chapter 30, Section 30-
4 Nonconforming Structure and Use Regulations as requested.
Seconded by Cummings. Motion carried 9 -0.
OTHER BUSINESS
Mr. Borsuk commented that he wished to recognize the passing of Curt Gehling who previously served
on the Plan Commission and acknowledge his service to the community.
Mr. Burich stated that there will be a joint workshop on August 30 at 5:00 -6:15 pm with the Common
Council, Plan Commission, Sustainability Advisory Board, and the Sustainability Advisory Steering
Committee to discuss the draft of the Sustainability Plan. It will be directly followed by a workshop
on TIF from 6:15 -8:00 pm. A notice will be sent out regarding this matter prior to the meeting.
Mr. Burich also distributed a document detailing AB 181 that the Assembly will be having a hearing
on Wednesday August 10 at the State Capitol. The bill re- instates the towns' ability to file lawsuits
against unanimous approval annexations.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at approximately 4:25 pm. (VajgrtBowen)
Respectfully submitted,
Darryn Burich
Director of Planning Services
Plan Commission Minutes
August 2, 2011