Richland County

Office of the Zoning Administrator

Courthouse

181 West Seminary Street

Richland Center, WI 53581

608-647-2447

 

RICHLAND COUNTY ZONING COMMITTEE

MEETING MINUTES

July 10, 2006

 

Item #1            Rasmussen brought the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.  Those present were Richard Rasmussen, Marilyn Marshall, Carol Clausius, Bruce Wunnicke, Harriet Pedley, Mary Storms, Ann Greenheck, Ken & Sarah Rehbein, Ken Mohr, Marc Higgs, Milton Sprecher, Tom Gorman, Tom LaBudde, and Craig Van de Hei.

 

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

 

Item #3            Motion by Clausius, seconded by Marshall to approve the June 5, 2006 meeting minutes.  Motion carried.

Start of Public Hearing 9:01 a.m.

 

            Item #4            The committee opened the 2nd public hearing concerning the proposed Tri-County Airport Ordinance.  Marc Higgs, Tri-County Airport Director, stated that he feels all the obstacles have been addressed.  One of the primary concerns was the Board of Appeals process and that has been resolved with having 2 representatives from Richland County, 2 from Sauk County and 1 from Iowa County to sit on the Board of Appeals.  Higgs stated that corporation counsels from Sauk and Richland have cleaned up the language in the ordinance.  The deed attachment has been dropped as a requirement.

            Pedley stated that there have been considerable changes since the 1st hearing including the elimination of the language about easements and the formation of the Board of Appeals.  She stated that Corporation Counsel Ben Southwick’s concerns have pretty much addressed. The definition of department was removed and replaced with Zoning Administrator.

            Milton Sprecher spoke showing concern with his property lying near the North/South runway.  Higgs stated that the North/South runway by this ordinance.  They will be adding 300 feet to the East/West runway.  Sprecher asked why they needed this ordinance and Higgs stated that safety (control housing at end of runways, emergency landings, etc.) are the two biggest factors.

            Ann Greenheck spoke and stated that Corporation Counsel Ben Southwick has worked hard to protect the land owners rights and property in the area regarding this ordinance.  She questioned who advices perspective buyers of the ordinance.  Pedley stated that the ordinance will be available on the web site, in the zoning office and when people come in for permits. Greenheck also questioned if non-conforming structures are destroyed by Mother Nature if they can be replaced.  Higgs stated all existing structures can be replaced because they are grandfathered and also there are no restrictions of agricultural structures. 

            Tom LaBudde questioned the deed restriction and asked again how the perspective buyers are made aware of the ordinance and what they are allowed to do in the different zones.  Pedley stated she was advised by Corporation Counsel that it is “buyers beware” and buyers need to do their homework.

            Bruce Wunnicke stated that when a seller puts his property up for sale he fills out a disclosure statement and this information should be disclosed at that time.

            Craig Vande Hei said he has been trying to sell his home for the last 15 months and has reduced the price because of no interest being so close to the airport.  They did have a buyer but when it was disclosed to the buyer about the ordinance they backed out of the deal.  Vande Hei stated the helicopters are his biggest concern.  If a window breaks and they turn it into their insurance company that could increase his insurance rate.  Higgs stated that helicopters are not covered under this ordinance and the airport has no control over them.  They are military and not civilian helicopters.  It was noted that Vande Hei is in Zone 3. 

            Tom Gorman stated he had nothing to add. 

            Motion by Wunnicke, seconded by Clausius to adopt the Richland County Tri County Airport Ordinance as presented.  Motion carried.

 

Item #5            The committee heard the petition of Ken & Sarah Rehbein to rezone approximately 2 acres from Agriculture/Forestry to Residential-1 and obtain a conditional use permit for permanent placement of an existing manufactured home less than 24 feet wide in Section 6 of Forest Township.  The committee reviewed the packet of information provided to them.   Rehbein stated that his wife purchased the home they live in now.  This is his second marriage and he wants to put the farm in his children’s name and to protect her if anything happens to him.  They have lived at this site since 1993.  Pedley stated she had received an e-mail from the town and they had no objection to the request.  Motion by Wunnicke, seconded by Marshall to rezone approximately 2 acres from Agriculture/Forestry to Residential-1, pass it to the next county board session on July 18, 2006 and issue a conditional use permit for a manufactured home less than 24 feet wide.   Motion carried.

 

Item #6            The committee heard the petition of Ken Mohr to rezone approximately 4.5 acres from Residential-1 to Agriculture/Residential in Section 31 of Eagle Township.  Pedley explained to the committee that when Mohr bought the property in 1991 there was no Agriculture/Residential zoning district so the property was zoned Residential-1.  Mohr desires to construct a garage/shed on his property that would be larger than allowed in the Residential-1 district.  Also, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation has purchased approximately ½ acre from Mohr with the Hwy 60 project leaving him with 4.5 acres.  Pedley stated that Mohr has been to the Board of Adjustments and has received a variance to the parcel size.  Motion by Clausius, seconded by Marshall to grant the rezoning of approximately 4.5 acres from Residential-1 to Agriculture/Residential in Section 31 of Eagle Township.  Motion carried.

 

Item #7            The committee was to hear the petition of Freeman Decorah to rezone 5 acres from Agriculture/Forestry to Agriculture/Residential in Section 7 of Westford Township.  No action taken as there was no one present.

End of Public Hearing 9:40 a.m.

 

Item #8            Friends of Richland County vs. Richland County – Pedley stated she had nothing to report at this time but will keep committee apprised of any news.

 

Item #9            Comprehensive Planning

1.)    Comments concerning Chapter 9 (Implementation) of the plan – Pedley stated she had been reviewing plans as they have been coming in.  She now has approximately 7 or 8 plans on her desk that she needs to review.  She stated that she feels that the Land Use and Implementation sections are the most important.

2.)    Discussion/action to grant a 6 month extension to SWWRPC to complete plan – Pedley stated that there had been discussion of the 6 month extension.  Motion by Wunnicke, seconded by Marshall to grant the 6 month extension to SWWRPC.  Motion carried.

           

Item #10          Zoning Violations – Pedley stated that she had a visit from the Berres, neighbors to the Bannister property, and they want to know when action is going to be taken to have the property cleaned up and the mobile home removed.  Pedley has been in contact with Attorney Wilbur and he informed her that the Department of Health and Human services has confiscated all the money in the trust account that he is personal representative for.  The money will be used to pay back the expenses incurred for the medical assistance of the Bannister’s.  He also said that the children may claim a hardship and get some of the money returned to them, but that whole process may take up to a year. 

 

Item #11          Report from zoning administrator

a.)    2005 Audit results from Department of Commerce – Pedley stated she included the audit results for the committee.  She stated that the office received an excellent audit report from the Department concerning the septic program for the county. 

b.)    Mileage counter – Pedley stated that the counters that were being used for county address are going to be replaced by GPS units.  She stated that she has a counter on her vehicle and Lynn has one on her vehicle.  Pedley stated she has replaced her vehicle and is not going to have the counter put on her new one because of going to the GPS units.  She would like to know if she can check with other departments to see if they could use the old counters.  It was suggested by Wunnicke to check with Tom Hougan of the Sheriff’s department to see if they could use them. 

 

Item #12          The next meeting will be August 7, 2006 at 9:00 a.m.  Motion by Marshall, seconded by Clausius to adjourn.  Motion carried.   Pedley reminded the committee of the special meeting to be held in the zoning office on July 13th at 1:30 p.m.