Town of Mt. Pleasant, Green County, Wisconsin : Meeting Minutes

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February 14, 2011 Town of Mt Pleasant Plan Commission Meeting

Town of Mount Pleasant
Plan Commission Meeting
Monday, February 14, 2011
American Legion Hall, Monticello, Wisconsin

Chairman DuWayne Fenner called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. In addition to the chairman, all of the other members of the commission, including Bryon Feller, Michael Gengler, Greg Schwartzlow and Hans Sulzer, were present. In addition, Sally Roe, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, and Kim Buehl were present. Jeff Disch was also present regarding a proposed land division, the details of which had been previously provided to the members of the commission

Upon motion duly made and seconded, the commission approved the minutes of the commission, held November 8, 2010, which had been previously distributed.

The chairman asked Mr. Disch to advise the commission of his intentions with respect to land owned by the family on River Road. Mr. Disch stated that the family wants to reduce the size of the existing parcel on which a residence is located, and to attach the remaining land in that parcel to other land owned by the family and adjoining the parcel on which the house is located. After reviewing a survey map, the commission informally advised Mr. Disch that this change would be exempt under the Town�s land division and subdivision ordinance provided that no new parcel is created, and that minimum lot size requirements are observed. He was encouraged to prepare a revised map and to provide that to the chairman of the commission about one week before he chose to bring the matter to the commission. He was advised that the commission would issue a letter confirming the exemption and would recommend that the Board of Supervisors approve the survey map provided the commission�s advice is followed. Mr. Disch then left the meeting.

At the request of the chairman, Mr. Gengler reported that the Department of Natural Resources had an unexpected delay in publishing the required notice of the abandonment of a section of Pratt Road previously reviewed by the commission and the Board of Supervisors. He said that the 30-day notice was published by the DNR in the Monroe Times about two weeks ago and that he would continue to stay in contact with the DNR representative to be sure that the DNR approval is issued.

The chairman then asked if there were any other matters involving the town�s land division ordinance. Mr. Sulzer reported that a Town resident wishes to change the form of ownership of some of his land. The commission advised Mr. Sulzer that this resident should set up a meeting with Mr. Fenner to explain the matter further.

The chairman then asked the commission to consider a draft ordinance prepared by Mr. Gengler on wind energy systems. The commission had reviewed an earlier draft of this ordinance at its November meeting. The revised draft ordinance and background materials had been distributed by Mr. Gengler to the commission and town board members on February 6, 2011. Mr. Gengler again advised the commission that this draft ordinance is intended to allow the town to perform the functions it is allowed under the Public Service Commission rules on wind energy systems. Mr. Gengler explained that the most recent version of the ordinance which was distributed to the commission and town board last week made revisions (which were marked) to reflect a few final changes to the PSC rules agreed by the PSC following legislative review. He advised that the revised PSC rules, which had been provided to the commission and the town board with the revised ordinance, were issued by the PSC on December 27, 2010, and would become final on March 1, 2011, unless the legislature intervenes. Mr. Gengler further advised the commission that the draft ordinance had been reviewed by Rick Stadelman, executive director of the Wisconsin Towns Association, and that he had met with Mr. Stadelman on February 7, 2011, when Mr. Gengler was in Shawano for a court appearance. In response to a prior question from the chairman, Mr. Gengler reported that he had checked with Iowa and Kewaunee Counties, including the assessor for the Town of Red River in Kewaunee County, on the tax treatment of wind farms. Mr. Gengler said that he was advised that the wind energy facilities themselves are exempt from taxation and would not add to the town�s or county�s tax base. After a discussion, upon motion duly made and seconded, the commission unanimously resolved to recommend to the Town Board of Supervisors that the draft ordinance be considered and adopted by the Board of Supervisors.

There were no other questions of interpretation related to ordinances administered by the plan commission.

The commission voted to adjourn at 8:50 p.m.

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