TOWN OF FARMINGTON
PLAN COMMISSION ORDINANCE REVIEW
JUNE 21, 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 Plan Commission Chairman Art Seyfert. Present were members Ralph Eisenmann, Joe Enright, John Guttmann, Dick Schneider, Dale Spaeth, Diana Susen, Town Board members Ike Roell, Gary Schreiber, Zoning Adm. Joanne Oneska, Martenson & Eisele Planner Warren Utecht, and several citizens.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
PUBLIC PRESENTATION: Chairman Seyfert announced Public Presentation will
be taken at the end of the meeting.
Warren Utecht passed out the following documents to Plan Commission members as well as citizens in attendance.
Zoning Code Sec. 1-1-42 R-1 Residential District – document discussion:
Conditional Uses - Discussion on additional language that would allow a minimum number of animals on specific lot sizes if we would rezone lots previously zoned Ag to Residential. No decision was made.
Minimum lot size for Residential – Joe Enright wanted to know why the language stated in the zoning code is stated as two (2) acres. Chairman Seyfert responded that it was previously voted on at a Board meeting in August, 2004. Discussion continued on alternative language prepared by Warren that considers only usable space if one (1) acre minimum lot was used for Residential in the “Preferred Growth Area”. Plans would be to have Residential only allowed in the areas designated as “Preferred Growth Area” (Fillmore, Boltonville, St. Michaels), any new lots created near areas that now have residential would be zoned three (3) acre Country Estates lots. Art, Dale, John, Ralph agree with this concept, Diana prefers 1 ½ acre lots, and Dick and Joe do not want residential restricted to the “Preferred Growth Area” and believe residential should be allowed adjacent to any current residential areas.
New Home Construction: Building Permits document discussion:
Warren reviews the historical data for building permits from 1985 to present, which averages 28 building permits per year. Included are the state projections of 30/2005, 25/2006, 25/2007, 23/2008, 22/2009. The review of this information will be used as the basis for determining the number of reviewable lots to be approved on an annual basis.
Subdivision Language for limiting the number of reviewable lots document discussion: This applies to final plat only. Opportunity to carry over annual allotment not used to the next year. Language would allow certain amount of annual lots allowed to be divided up between the following three districts:
1. R-1 Residential District within the “Preferred Growth Area”.
2. Certified survey mapped lots in A-1 Agricultural District.
3. CE Country Estates Residential District.
Discussion continued on the current zoning map, and whether we will need to rezone some lots to conform to the area they are within. Warren asked for a copy of the current zoning map, so he could look at the way the current lots are zoned. Warren suggested Plan Commission agree on the following: #1 Does Farmington want to limit the annual number of reviewable lots? And #2 what should be the maximum lots approved annually?
Art polled the Plan Commission members and it was agreed to limit the annual reviewable lots to 25 per year, but more discussion will be needed on the breakdown on the number per each district. It was also decided to ask for additional direction from those attending the June 30th mapping meeting.
Joe stated that there will not be any subdivisions in Boltonville because the land owners do not want to sell their land for subdivisions. John Guttmann stated that a landowner may say he won’t sell his land for a subdivision today but nothing can be certain, circumstances change, and we should consider that.
Zoning District Residential R-2 – It was agreed to eliminate this district with the understanding to make R-2 allowable as a conditional use in R-1.
Sec.13-1-44 – CE Country Estates – use three (3) acres, width 125 ft.
Sec. 13-1-45 -Ag District – use five (5) acres, width 125 ft.
Livestock Facility Sitting Law –adopt state’s language.
C-1 Commercial District – Delete using the 1 in C-1, R-1, and A-1. Keep taverns as a permitted use, not conditional, and take additional language out. Leave language in regarding recycling center. Site Review ordinance will be drafted by Warren to be added to Commercial and Industrial Districts.
Planned Unit Development (P.U.D) – do not delete since there already is a P.U.D. in the town.
Sec. 13-1-49 Farming Encouragement District (F.E.D.) - Since the town wants to encourage farming, Warren drafted and explained the potential use of this new district. F.E.D. would allow farmers to create a specific amount of lots, in the return for their commitment to continue farming for ten years. In addition no review fees or lot fees would be charged. Art suggested lot size of two (2) acres, no decision on the number of lots to be created. F.E. D. lots approved would be over and above the annual number of reviewable lots allowed. Commission should continue thoughts on how this could work. Discussion and suggestions for a F.E.D. will continue at the June 30 mapping meeting.
PUBLIC PRESENTATION –Comments From the citizens attending the meeting are reflected in the following;
-- Questioned Vision Statement #13 as to whether commercial development will be allowed completely along all highly traveled state and county roads. Warren answered, only in areas where it will be designated on the future land use map.
-- Questioned whether any projections have been made regarding how many years it would take for Farmington to “sell out”, using the proposed 25 lot per year allotment?
Warren answered, no! Farmington had not contracted for a full land use plan with M & E, but this will probably be done during the smart growth process,
--Commends commission on the work that was completed tonight.
--Consider allowing a farmer to apply for a hardship permit in the case that the town has already met their 25 allotment for lots for the year.
--Allowing the potential development only around the three communities is not feasible, and development should also be allowed anywhere there is a subdivision too.
--Believes people that would want to move into Farmington would rather not be in a subdivision, but are interested in buying some land.
-- Farmer commented he doesn’t feel the F.E.D. is necessary.
-- Doesn’t agree with rezoning subdivisions that are now in Ag to residential.
ADJOURNED: 9:30 on a motion made by John Guttmann, seconded by Ralph Eisenmann and carried.
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: The meeting was officially re-opened at 9:32 for an announcement. Town chairman Gary Schreiber stated the mapping session on June 30 will take place at 7PM. All citizens who filled out the questionnaire to be on the mapping committee are asked to attend, and M & E will mail out the invitations.
Respectfully submitted,
Diana Susen, secretary