Town of Germantown

Town of Germantown

Planning Commission Meeting Minutes

April 20, 2026

Present: Commission Chairperson Keith Korbein, Commissioners, Tamaya Loewe, Mike Edwards-late arrival, Joe Witmer, Zoning Administrator Dick Martin, Deputy Clerk/Treasurer Michaele Korbein

Absent:  None.                                     Also present:   Property owner Sara Meyer, rental owner Scott DeRuyter

–Call to Order

The Planning Commission meeting was called to order by Chairperson Keith Korbein at the Germantown Town Hall at 5:30pm.

–Pledge of Allegiance

–Verification of proper posting  Michaele Korbein verified proper posting in three places and online.

–Possible approval of meeting minutes

Joe Witmer made a motion to approve the minutes of the March 17, 2026 Planning Commission meeting, seconded by Tamaya Loewe; motion passed 3/0.  Mike Edwards then arrived.

–Staff meeting for possible holding tank

Keith Korbein introduced information for a possible holding tank. Owner Sara Meyer provided that she and her husband have already met with Dave Gruen of the County Sanitation department and TG Soil & Water, and that their recommendation is for putting in a holding tank. Short discussion followed. A variance will be required as the holding tank ordinance does not allow holding tanks. A Board of Appeals meeting will be set up.  However, if sanitary sewer becomes available, they will be required to hook to it. 

–Discussion and possible approval of Zoning Map

A black and white ledger copy was provided. Several corrections were noted to be made. Once done, a color file will be emailed to the members for review.  Approval will be at the next meeting. 

–Update on Short Term Rental and Room Tax

These two ordinances are ready to go to joint public hearing with the Town Board.  The date will be coordinated with the Town Chairman, possibly for next month’s meeting.  The one rental owner provided several comments for the Planning Commission to consider regarding how to regulate capacity of properties and how to obtain addresses of each guest renting through places like VRBO

–Discussion and possible approval of Frees for Ordinance 57

Initial thoughts were to match the county. Higher fines act as a deterrent.  There are different values on empty trucks vs loaded when on the road. Mike Edwards made a motion to approve for first offense to be $500 per offense per vehicle per trip, seconded by Tamaya Loewe; motion passed 4/0.  After a bit more discussion, Mike Edwards amended his motion to include $1000 per subsequent offense per vehicle per trip, seconded by Tamaya Loewe; motion passed 4/0.   

–Discussion and possible approval of amending Ordinance 27

Section VIII of Ordinance 27 was in need of updating, as six of the ordinances listed in that section for enforcement have been rescinded.  Joe Witmer made a motion to approve removing the ordinances (1 Boat Speed, 3 Littering, 8 Camping (now part of 22) , 14 Slow No Wake, 24 Recycling, and 28 Slow No Wake) from the list of those ordinance to be enforced from Section VIII of Ordinance 27, seconded by Mike Edwards; motion passed 4/0.  A review of the rest of the Town’s ordinances is still needed to see what should be added into Ordinance 27.

–Next Meeting  The next meeting date will be Monday, May 18, 2026, starting at 5:30pm

–Adjourn  The meeting adjourned at 7:24 pm.

Respectfully submitted,  Michaele R. Korbein, Deputy Clerk/Treasurer