TOWN OF FARMINGTON

PLAN COMMISSION

LAND USE MAP REVIEW MINUTES

AUGUST 16, 2005

 

Prior to the meeting, notice was posted in the West Bend News, at the Town Hall, Fillmore Fire Hall and Green Lake access.

The meeting was called to order at 7:30 P.M. by Chairman Art Seyfert. Present were members Ralph Eisenmann, Joe Enright, John Guttmann, Dick Schneider, Zoning Adm. Joanne Oneska, Town Board members Gary Schreiber and Ike Roell, and several citizens.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

PUBLIC INPUT   Ann Enright on Agenda item 5B – 1-1/2 acres is too large around the villages – eats up too much farm land.  Also, why the 1/4 to 1/2 mile limit?   Dottie Broughton – 1-1/2 is as small as we want to go.

5.  SOIL MAP REVIEW

5a.  Leave Town zoning map basically as it now exists.                                                                                                             

5b.  Allow 1-1/2 acre parcels to be created as single parcels or as CSM’s and subdivision plots as long as the parcel is contiguous to one of the existing villages of Fillmore, Boltonville or St. Michaels.  No 1-1/2 acre development could extend further than 1/4 or 1/2 mile from existing village districts.  Discussed:                                                                                                                 

5c.  Extend village districts (light districts) to include all subdivisions and small parcels up to 3 acres which already touch existing districts.           

 5d.  Allow 3 acres or larger (country estate) development to occur if they are contiguous to existing subdivisions not to exceed 1/4 mile from boundary of existing subdivision   

A lengthy discussion was held, including:  Land in the Light Districts in Filllmore and Boltonville – should we extend the districts – any new lots to be included?  Add more street lights?  John Guttmann - How will the Rex farm fit in?  It will be zoned ag, but it is contiguous to residential in Fillmore.  Fillmore and Boltonville are zoned Residential with some Commercial. Art Seyfert – Leave Zoning Map basically Ag as it is now – rather than draw lines around the villages, we could include any new parcel contiguous to existing land in the villages.  Dick Finch – A village would have homes tighter together – take up less land.  A subdivision around isn’t a village. Dick Schneider – what is the time frame?  Art Seyfert – I suppose a 5 year plan.  We have to keep land owners rights in mind.  Lot sizes – no exclusive ag, no 35 acre minimums.            

LOT SIZES    

AGRICULTURAL:   Discussed 5 acre or 3 acre minimum.  A vote was taken:  Joe Enright - 3, Dick Schneider - 3, Ralph Eisenmann – 5, John Guttmann – 3, Art Seyfert – 5,  but not against 3 acres.  RECOMMENDATIONThe Plan Commission will recommend to the Town Board:  3 acres minimum lot size in Ag zoning.          

COUNTRY ESTATE    RECOMMENDATION :  3 acre minimum to the Town Board.      

RESIDENTIAL  The vote was unanimous.  RECOMMENDATION:  1-1/2 acre minimum                         

SUBDIVISION   New lots created around subdivisions will now be 3 acre minimums.            

R-3 RURAL RESIDENTIAL  Art Seyfert passed out this ordinance from another town, which could be used for our subdivisions and small ag lots – it limits animals and accessory building size.  This ordinance allows two 864 sq. ft. accessory uses, but the plan commission agreed to change it to allowing one 1200 sq. ft. accessory building.  A garden, tool/storage shed up to 120 sq. ft. would also be allowed.   Home occupation/home industry were also discussed – in our new zoning ordinance, a home occupation is conducted in the home, whereas a home industry could be in an accessory building.  This will need to be clarified in our new zoning ordinance.    

MILW. RIVER NORTH BRANCH  Art Seyfert asked if this area should be on the zoning map and the consensus was that it should not.         

RIGHT TO FARM  Gary Schreiber will contact the W.T.A. for further information.   

COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL   Discussed storage units – agreed should be commercial.  Leave Industrial area to the north of Boltonville.  Ralph Eisenmann suggested the area fromWoodland Lane west to Hwy 144 should all be zoned commercial, including all 4 corners of Hwy A & 144.  The plan commission agreed to this.
COUNTRY ESTATES/AG LOTS   Agreed that the zoning ordinance for smaller ag lots including subdivisions should control the number of animals and the size of outbuildings.  Discussed if these restrictions should apply to 3 or 5 acre lots.  Discussion followed – should subdivisions have a separate zoning category or be restricted under ag zoning - should this apply to all lots already created, including those not in a subdivision – would apply to lots of 5 acres or less - would these be grandfathered in – if the use is discontinued, these restrictions would apply. 

ORDINANCE REVIEW MEETING set for August 30, 2005, 7 pm with Warren Utecht.

ADJOURNED  9:48 pm on a motion made by John Guttmann, seconded by Ralph Eisenmann and carried.

Respectfully submitted,

Joanne Oneska, Zoning Adm.