TOWN OF ROCHESTER
Racine County, Wisconsin
Municipal Office Phone:  (262) 534-5742;  Facsimile:  (262) 534-4084
Mailing Address:  203 W. Main Street, P.O. Box 352, Rochester, WI  53167

Link to Town Board Meetings

 

Link to Town Board Meetings

April 1, 2004                                       JOINT LAND USE PLAN COMMITTEE              6:30 P.M.

 

Meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. with Pat Hurley, Bob Willard, Chuck Haubrich, Chris Denman, Dennis Crombie, Chris Johnson, Mike Weinkauf and Lloyd Frye present.  Dean Stapleton and Judy Karweik were absent.

 

Betty Novy, Clerk, was also present.

 

Mike moved, 2nd by Chris to approve minutes of the March 18, 2004 meeting.  Motion carried.

 

Discussion on recommended revisions/ updates to Chapter 1 of  “A Land Use Plan for the Town and Village of Rochester: 2020”

 

Mike commented on a recent newspaper article indicating the Town of Rochester is one of the fastest areas of growth in southeastern Wisconsin.  He feels the Land Use Plan should be flexible and open to change in order to address continued growth.  Lloyd commented on how growth has affected school districts.  Pat pointed to recent sale of a one-acre lot in the Village for $75,000 and indicated the price of vacant land in the Town now ranges between $100 – 200,000.  She feels an adequate supply of affordable housing should be addressed in the Plan so that children and grandchildren can afford to stay in the area.  Bob indicated a need to provide affordable housing was stated in the Land Use Plan, but it was not specifically addressed on how to do accomplish this other than to provide more concentrated housing in the urban service areas.

 

Page 6

 

  • Lloyd questioned the meaning of “soils suitable for urban use”.  This was briefly discussed.  Several maps are provided in the Plan that display the location of soils that can support public sewers and water supply.  

 

  • Betty stated there is reference to Map 3 “2020 Regional Land Use Plan as it pertains to the Rochester Planning Area” at the end of paragraph one.  The Planned Urban Service Area shown on Map 3 should be updated to incorporate changes to the planned sewer service area in 2003.

 

Page 3

 

  • The City of Burlington now touches the Town of Rochester near the intersection of  STH 36 and CTH W. 

  • The description of communities surrounding Rochester under “THE PLANNING AREA” should be amended to include the City of Burlington. 

  • Map 1 should also be amended showing new City of Burlington limits. 

 

Page 5

 

  • Map 2 referring to the pattern of urban growth is referenced at the end of paragraph 3.  The map should be amended to include the following divisions of land that converted use from agricultural to residential in the past five years:   Fox River Prairie Subdivision; Heritage Acres Subdivision; Schneider Lane Subdivision; Camelback Farms Subdivision; the Pizza Development and Way-Mar Lane Subdivision. 

 

Page 7

 

  • The first paragraph refers to SEWRPC Community Assistance Planning Report No. 134 adopted by Racine County in 1989.  The sentence should be amended to reference subsequent amendment of the plan in 2001. 

 

Page 8

 

  • Under “THE COMMUNITY LAND USE PLANNING PROCESS” it should be added that the plan is to be updated in no more than five years intervals with the most recent review occurring in 2004. 

  • A committee member list should also be added.

 

Consensus of the committee was to set the next meeting for Thursday, April 29th at 6:30 p.m.

 

Period for Public Comment

 

Ken Dahlstrom presented the newspaper article Mike had commented on earlier.  He stated it was important to note that population numbers stated in the paper are actually less than the high growth projection stated in the Land Use Plan. 

 

Chris Denman reported that at a recent intergovernmental meeting, the County Executive stated they will be asking for updated comprehensive plans from all Racine County communities some time this year.

 

Chuck Haubrich moved to change the format of committee meetings to an open meeting where public participation is encouraged at any time.  He feels this will allow the committee to gather information, identify concerns and build consensus while allowing the chairman to call on somebody and not be bound by the rules established at March meeting.   There was no second.

 

Bob Willard presented a Land Use Plan Revision request form for use by committee members as well as the public.  It was felt use of the form should provide a good method for tracking changes.  Committee members were all given a copy for future use.  Forms should be submitted to the Clerk ahead of meetings so that copies can be made for all members.

 

Consensus of the committee was to work through Chapters 2, 3 and 4 and bring suggested revisions to the April 29th meeting.

 

Dennis moved, 2nd by Chris to adjourn at 7:26 p.m.  Motion carried.

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