Richland County

Zoning and Land Records Committee

Courthouse

181 West Seminary Street

Richland Center, WI 53581

608-647-2447

www.co.richland.wi.us

 

SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES OF THE RICHLAND COUNTY

ZONING AND LAND RECORDS COMMITTEE

JULY 20, 2010

 

Those present were Richard Rasmussen, Robert Holets, Jim Lewis, Warren Pfeil, Virginia Wiedenfeld, Marilyn Marshall, Gaylord Deets and Harriet Pedley

 

Item #1  The meeting was called to order by Chairman Richard Rasmussen at 6:45 p.m.

 

Item #2  Motion by Marshall, seconded by Deets to approve the agenda and publication.  Motion carried.

 

Item #3  Pedley explained to the committee that the section of the zoning ordinance that is at the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) for certification concerning business activities or enterprises and the fact that the committee has previously approved including language that would allow additional structures with a limited size (1,500 square feet) would not be allowed by DATCP.  Pedley explained that the department is saying that our language is more restrictive than the statute and that is not allowed.  Keith Foye, from the department, has provided language in two different formats that Pedley presented to the committee for their review.  Both formats disallow additional structures for that specific use.  Pedley explained the options for the committee would be to accept the department’s take on the issue and remove all language in the ordinance concerning additional structures to be used for business activities or enterprises (and their size) and tell the department to go ahead with the certification.  The other options are to hold steadfast to our request which would mean our contract with the department would expire and we would have to resubmit the ordinance and extend the department’s further review another 90 days.  Pedley stated the other option is to drop adopting Chapter 91 altogether and create our own farmland preservation zoning district.  The downside to that is no farmers would be eligible for tax credits.  Pedley stated she has until this Friday to give the department our decision or we will have to start all over and it is her opinion that we will not be able to change the department’s mind on this issue.  Motion by Deets, seconded by Pfeil to drop the language that would allow additional structures and their size for a business activity or enterprise and direct Pedley to work with the department to get as much of our proposed language in the ordinance as possible and still have the ordinance certified.  A roll call vote was taken.  Rasmussen, Pfeil, Deets, Marshall, Wiedenfeld, Lewis voted aye, Holets voted no.  Motion carried.

 

Item #4.  Motion by Holets, seconded by Wiedenfeld to adjourn.  Motion carried.