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Minute of the Richland County Zoning Committee Meeting
November 2, 2009
Item # 1 The Zoning committee meeting was called to order by Chairman Rasmussen at 8:58 am. Those present or who signed up to speak were Gordon Keller, Jean Lang, Bob Holets, Virginia Wiedenfeld, Marilyn Miller, Ben Southwick, Harriet Pedley, with Cheryl Dull taking minutes.
Carol Clausius was excused.
.
Item #2 Motion by Marilyn, seconded by Bob, to approve the publication and agenda. Motion carried.
Item #3 Chairman Rasmussen declared the minutes of October 5, 2009 approved as presented.
Start of Public Hearing 9:02 am.
Item # 4 The committee heard a petition from Gordon Keller to rezone 5+ acres from Agriculture/Forestry to Agriculture/Residential in Section 5, T8N, Orion Township.
CUP: Yes No X
Discussion: Richard to abstain, turning the meeting over to Marilyn to chair. Gordon stated that there is 41-42 acres of which his son and daughter in-law want to purchase 5.8 acres with buildings and a hay field. The map represented should run the long way North and South encapsulating the hay field instead. Gordon also stated they hope to have animals there. Harriet advised Gordon they can have up to 4 animal units. Harriet reminded Gordon that the legal description must be in by November 30th to get to County Board on December 8th. An approval letter was received from the township.
Neighbors heard from: Jean Lang is present; she is in favor
Moved by Virginia, seconded by Bob to approve the petition and pass it to the next county board session. Motion carried.
Item # 5 Puzon petition is to remain tabled because the water test results are not back yet.
Item #6 Ben is present to discuss the Working Land Initiative. Conversion fees start January 1st. Harriet stated the 1982 Farmland Preservation is still in the books. There may be some minor changes in the plan and the zoned townships would have to do the same on their plans. In the unzoned townships, Sylvan adopted their plan and than rescinded, Bloom and Richwood both adopted their plan.
The County could look at the whole program to choice to opt out. Ben pointed out that by 2016 all counties shall adopt a plan or the counties can adopt an ordinance. If the Chapter 91 reference is removed in the zoning districts the farmers will not be eligible for a tax credit. Ben questioned if Farmers could still enter into Farmland Preservation agreement, at which Harriet answered yes although when those agreements expire they will not be renewed. If there is a group of farmers that petition the county to create an AEA they would enter into a preservation agreement. Towns with their own zoning could reverence back to chapter 91. Harriet stated of the 3 townships she had been to felt the difference could be gained back by developing their land if there were no conversion fees. Marshall Township felt that local control was being taken away from them and that it didn’t benefit the farmers. Harriet’s last meeting with the townships is December 1st. Harriet would like the committee to decide what the minimum parcel size will be for Ag/F and should could take that to the township meetings. Any amendments to the zoning ordinance need to be approved by the department.
Options for 1/1/2010:
1) Status quo – Conversion fees, no fees for CUP or for minimum size requirements
2) Repeal Chapter 91, no fees and no tax credits (Ag/F)
3) Amend in all other regulations, no fees on CUP with tax credits which included the ratio.
Harriet has meet with FSA and they will be requiring Siting Plans for all new homes which is also allows FSA to control animal units.
The Board would like the Townships opinion before making a final decision.
Harriet is going to a conference on Friday, November 6th concerning this.
Virginia made a motion to take the 3 options to the township boards with a 10-35 acre range minimum. 2nd by Bob. Motion carried.
Item # 7 Zoning Ordinance amendment #5-No discussion at this time
Motion carried.
Item # 8 Violations – None at this time
Item # 9 Fee schedule changes – 2009 use guides for the Department of Revenue use assessment. Virginia made a motion to adopt the fees and send on to County Board. 2nd by Bob. Motion carried.
Scarpetta – They will need a survey to complete the rezone. Harriet will write him a letter and tell him he can pass the regulations on to the buyer if there is one.
The next regular meeting is set for Monday, December 7, 2009 at 9:00 am.
Item # 10 Motion to adjourn at 11:18 by Bob, seconded by Virginia. Motion carried.