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TOWN OF ROCHESTER Link to Town Board Meetings
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Link to Town Board Meetings |
March 4, 2002 TOWN OF ROCHESTER Page 1 PLAN COMMISSION 6:30 p.m.
Meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. with Commission members Ken Dahlstrom, Jane Babik, Maureen Eckert, Brian Wanasek and Bob Willard present.
Julie Anderson, Racine County Planning and Development, and Betty Novy, Secretary, were also present.
Bob moved, 2nd by Jane to approve minutes of the February 4, 2002 Plan Commission meeting. Motion carried.
Hwy. 20 and Hwy. 36 Neighborhood Plan: Discussion of Process, Content and Impact. Julie presented the following outline for creation of a neighborhood plan:
Process
Purpose and Function of Neighborhood Plans
Sequence for Neighborhood Plan Maps
Julie explained State and County highway access points will be a major factor in development of a plan for this area. Jane questioned how the County can develop plans without input from local residents. Julie explained initial plans are more about providing a starting point with several different options. It helps to have an initial map to start with that Plan Commission members and area residents can react to vs. having many different ideas on where to start.
Gary Beck, Town Chairman, indicated he would like to see a plan developed for an area larger than just the “triangle” of Highway 20 and 36 south to County highway D. He also expressed a major issue with development in this area is going to be the sewer line. The Sewer Development Study adopted by the Town indicates a new interceptor will eventually be required. Gary stated the Town has worked with the County before in creating neighborhood plans and have been pleased with the results.
March 4, 2002 TOWN OF ROCHESTER Page 2 PLAN COMMISSION 6:30 p.m.
The topic turned to the accepted size of a neighborhood plan. Julie indicated a plan should be limited to an area not much bigger than a mile or two.
When questioned on time frame for plan development, Julie indicated six months to completion is a reasonable time line.
Bob moved to recommend the Town Board authorize Racine County and the Plan Commission to proceed with forming a neighborhood plan for the State Highway 36/20 “triangle” and surrounding area. Maureen seconded the motion with an amendment to include lands east to the Town line which are in the sewer district. Motion carried.
Final Conceptual Design Approval: Land Division creating twelve additional parcels: English Settlement Drive and Hwy. 36: Atty. John Bjelajac for Daniel Schwabe (Parcel #014-03-19-11-001-000 -84 acres). Atty. Bjelajac explains several key elements of the plat including:
Julie presented plan requirements specified by Racine County Planning and Development and then counseled the developer to keep continual contact with the DNR as this project proceeds. The concept of offering private on-site sewerage will depend on soil borings. The Racine County Highway Department was contacted and they indicated Highway “J” right-of-way is sufficient in the area of the development. However, several driveway issues will have to be resolved. Overall, Racine County supports the layout and design as it contains significant open space and building areas are clearly delineated on the plat.
Maureen asked for clarification as to whether this parcel is in the Sewer District or in the “Planned Sewer Service Area”. This distinction is significant, as those parcels in the Sewer District must petition Western Racine County Sewer District in order to opt out of installing sewers. The Secretary will get this item clarified by referring to assessment files.
It is noted several lots have shared wells. Bob indicated this sometimes becomes a problem in the future. Atty. Bjelajac stated this is a common arrangement and easements will be recorded. Because of close proximity of the landfill site, many wells will have additional requirements on them which will increase cost of installation. This may be an incentive to share those costs vs. one property owner bearing the full burden. It was noted the DNR was non-committal in its correspondence as to distance from the landfill for wells. Requirements may change.
Easements will be shown to allow all lots access to Outlot “A” and ownership will be specified in Homeowners Covenants.
Gary questioned future liability of the landfill. Attorney Bjelajac indicated language will be built into homeowners covenants that hold Racine County and the Town of Rochester harmless in any future actions.
Dan Schwabe indicated studys done by PSI have provided confidence there is no contamination.
Brian indicated the cluster design is favorable as it preserves environmental corridor area.
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Atty. Bjelajac indicated lots in the environmental corridor area will be subject to tree survey requirements. Before a building permit is issued, they would need to indicate which trees would get cut down in the building envelope. The County will be granted oversight abilities to indicate which trees must be preserved and which ones can be cut down.
Bob questioned whether Plan Commission members could go and look over the land to help in assessing this land division. Wayne Schrader, Town Supervisor #1, also indicated a desire to do this before offering approval. Mr. Schwabe (534-3558) indicated any Plan Commission or Board member can tour the parcel- as a group or as an individual. He only requests they call ahead of time.
Atty. Bjelajac stated part of the intention of this land division is to re-zone out-lot “A” to C-1 as part of the plat approval process. Lots 12 and 13 would be designated A-2.
Consensus of the Plan Commission was this is a good plan and the developer should go ahead with preparing a Preliminary Plat. Julie indicated they might want to move forward on the rezoning process ahead of time.
Application for Variance to 25-foot Street Yard Setback to build a detached garage: 23 Teut Road, Jack E. Shecterle (Parcel #014-03-19-15-026-000). Julie indicated the variance request is to build a 30’ x 40’ garage and that the proposed structure is only a few feet short of being compliant with zoning code. There is question as to why the structure needs to be so large. Ken indicated viewing the site and surrounding area and that it seems congested with many existing outbuildings.
Zoning enforcement has already become a problem with illegal business operations in a garage structure on a property to the east of this parcel. Ken indicated size of the proposed structure does not really work with the size of the lot. Maureen indicated seeing no hardship as a standard sized garage could be constructed and meet minimum setback requirements. Brian indicated this hardship seems to be self-imposed. Maureen moved, 2nd by Ken to recommend denial of the variance request to Racine County Board of Adjustment. Motion carried.
Bob moved, 2nd by Maureen to adjourn at 7:50 p.m. Motion carried.
Submitted by:
Betty J. Novy Plan Commission Secretary
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