Minutes of the Town of Cross Plains

Plan Commission Meeting

October 15, 2007

 

PRESENT:

COMMISSION MEMBERS: Jim Boland, Chair; Carl (Pat) Jones, Vice Chair;

Mike Coyle; Ken Esser; Wayne Parrell (late); Jeff Baylis; Amelia Williams

BOARD LIAISON: Arnold Harris

BOARD MEMBERS: Harold Krantz, Vera Riley

Approximately 18 citizens          7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

 

            After Boland called the meeting to order, Williams took roll and read the minutes of the October 1st regular meeting. These were amended, with the special attention to Esser's comments about information sent to the commission.  He felt that documents should be reviewed for relevance to the matters at hand before being accepted.  The minutes were amended, and moved for approval by Baylis, seconded by Jones, and passed 7-0.  Next Williams read the minutes from the October 8th work session. Jones moved to approve the minutes as amended, seconded by Baylis. This passed 7-0.

 

            The next item on the agenda concerned the Hawthorn & Stone remap petition. Because the Board would take up the issue again at its November 5th meeting, Baylis moved to table the motion, seconded by Parrell.  Williams asked for the means by which we should communicate with the board.  During discussion, it was felt that a resolution from the Board, as suggested in the memo from Mr. Schmitt would be helpful.  Baylis noted that the owner of the properties should be included in the petition and should show evidence of support of the agent making the proposals. Carter and Hudson LLC owns the previous Uebersetzig farm. An option to buy may exist for the Showers' property.  Mr. William O'Conner, attorney for a group called ‘Citizens for Good Land Use’, submitted a letter outlining the process of making a map amendment, as he understands it.  Aaron Otto, representing Janice Faga Hawthorne and Stone, thought that the Hawthorn & Stone had applied correctly, believing that they had followed all the criteria for applying for a map amendment. The direct question the Commission needs answered by the Board is: "Should the Planning Commission schedule a Public Hearing on the matter of Hawthorn & Stone's petition for a map amendment?" The motion to table was called and passed 7-0.

 

            Item four involved a form for applicants wanting property splits, rezones, etc.  After comparing the application forms from the Town of Berry and of Pleasant Springs, Katy Reeder suggested requiring a diagram and/or map of the proposed development, and Aaron Otto wanted to be sure that the criteria used would be the same as what was required on the application. Baylis felt it reasonable for the Commission to set its own rules for applicants. Jones thought that the application could specify maps under the request for documentation.  Stephanie Harris suggested that the landowner be required to make his or her own application. Baylis was asked to redraft the form to bring to the following meeting.

 

            Item five concerned a letter from Mr. William O'Connor, who explained that he was asking for notification when the Hawthorn & Stone map amendment comes up at Town meetings.  The 1981 Land Use Plan required "concerned individuals" to be notified. Louise Klopp felt that public information was easy today, with computers and email. Aaron Otto felt that the applicant should also be told who is asking for information, so that the applicant could serve the needs of concerned individuals. Baylis thought that the parties themselves determined their interest, not the Commission, and because of the uncertainty of the public notices, notice should be given in this case. Esser said that the local papers were used by the Board, and were enough.  Katy Reeder said that because it is specifically specified in the Land Use Plan, the importance of notifying concerned individuals rises above the simple procedures for notification of regular meetings.  Williams moved, seconded by Baylis, to send an email to Mr. O’Conner when Hawthorn & Stone is on the agenda. The motion passed 6-1, Boland voting no. 

OTHER BUSINESS. 

 

·         The Survey - Boland has a sealed list of the names with code numbers, and Williams and Boland also have a list without the numbers. The survey had been mailed, and should be delivered by mid-week. 

 

·         Press Release – The press release had been printed in the News Sickle Arrow, but with a poor title.  Baylis will post notices in public places, as a reminder to fill out the survey.  Amelia moved, seconded by Baylis to publish the announcement as an advertisement in the local papers. Passed 7-0. 

 

·         Budget – Boland mentioned that the Board needed a budget

 

·         Web Site – Williams wanted to put the website on next month’s agenda using Baylis’ motion, presented to the Commission. 

 

·         Open House Scheduling – The decision for when to have the Open House was put off in favor of first digesting and analyzing the survey results. 

 

·         Additional Application for a map Amendment - Jim Mueller, representing John Rafoth, submitted an application for a map amendment. It asked that a public hearing be initiated if the Hawthorn & Stone petition is accepted for a public hearing.  He also submitted a letter, which was addressed to the Board Chair, concerning remapping in the Ice Age Acquisition/Study Area Reserve. 

 

·         Finances for the Commission.  Baylis mentioned that he had submitted a motion to the Chair to solve the problem of paying incidental expenses. It will be brought up at the next meeting. (Attachment A)

 

·         Next Meeting: The date of November 12th was set for the next meeting, so that the budget could be submitted in time for the Board to use in the Budget hearing on Nov. 20th.

 

MAPS:  Harris presented the most recent maps,  two of which had been enlarged. Citizens mentioned a map from 1981 that went with the 1981 Land Use Plan. Baylis said that he had scanned the 1981 land use district map and would make it available.  Harris and Esser had done a survey a few years ago, and will update the research to show how many splits remain in the Township.  Consensus arose that the Commission await the results of the survey to decide which of the many maps to enlarge for the open houses. Louise Klopp recommended enlarging one map at least to be permanently hung in the Community Center.

 

At 9:30, Baylis moved to adjourn, seconded by Williams, passed unanimously.