Town of Germantown

Town of Germantown

Planning Commission Meeting Minutes

December 7, 2022

Present:            Commission Chair Shannon Armel, Commissioners Ken Jax, Keith Korbein, Mick McCormick, Zoning Administrator Dick Martin, Deputy Clerk/Treasurer Michaele Korbein

Absent:            Gervase Thompson

Guests:             Brad Pavloski

–Call to Order

The Planning Commission meeting was called to order by chairperson Shannon Armel at the Germantown Town Hall at 5:30pm.   The Pledge of Allegiance was said.

–Possible approval of the September meetings minutes

Ken Jax made a motion, seconded by Mick McCormick, to approve the minutes of the October 12, 2022 Planning Commission meeting.  Motion passed 4-0.

–Discussion and possible approval of the preliminary plat and final plat of Eighth Addition to Stone Gate Lake

There were no changes from the original, as Brad Pavloski stated.  Keith Korbein made a motion to approve the preliminary plat and final plat Eighth Addition to Stone Gate Lake. Motion passed 4/0.  Just a note that an updated PUD progress list will be needed.

–Discussion and possible approval of camping permit

Keith Korbein made a motion to approve the camping permit application, seconded by Ken Jax.  Motion passed 4/0.

–Discussion and possible approval of inclusion of retaining walls into zoning ordinance

These retaining walls are on side yards and along the beach in developments. Questioned whether they are required because of the site or if wanted for aesthetics. These walls are part of the landscaping to help with controlling soil and water. Discussed where it should be in the zoning ordinance.  Could be put under definition of a structure: include the underlined part in the sentence ‘Driveways, parking lots, and retaining walls shall not be considered structures.”.  Ken Jax made a motion to change the one line in the definitions section of the Zoning Ordinance the reads: “Driveways, parking lots, and retaining walls shall not be considered structures.”.  Motion passed 4/0.  This change will be held until more changes are made by the Planning Commission that need to go to a public hearing for ordinances.

–Discussion and possible approval of updated fee schedule

 Discussed items on the Fee Schedule relating to fees not related to ordinances, amending costs: of making a copy from $0.25 to $0.50, of making a thumb drive copy and not a CD and charging $10 instead of $5, of changing emailed/electronic copies charge to $0.20 from $0.15, and cost of locating to $25/hr with 1hr minimum plus postage if mailed.  These changes make Copying and Open Records Fees the same.  The changes make Germantown’s fees more in line with neighboring municipalities.

Additional discussion included:  moving the deck fee down with the non living space item as it is the same fee; adding the word “Refundable” to the Special Dwelling Permit; moving the PUD revisions up under PUD; removing the special assessments for home owner’s associations per tax # as we do not do for homeowner associations; removing the building permit renewal extension as GEC does that if needed; and removing tax bills for mortgage companies per parcel as we do not send to mortgage companies. Also, added the brush dump fees for residential of $25 and for brush dump fees for commercial of $100.

As for the fines for brush dump violators, they could make a new line in the Nuisance Ordinance in Section 4.1. “m.” to identify “No unpermitted dumping in brush dump. See Fee Schedule for permit fees and fines.”  That way the fines would fall under the Nuisance Ordinance. Will include discussion and possible approval on that on the next meeting agenda.

The committee started looking at fees for other ordinances, but many will require research to continue.

Ken Jax made a motion to amend Page 1 of the Fee Schedule as discussed above and send to Town Board for approval, seconded by Keith Korbein. Motion passed 4/0.

Next meeting will be Wednesday, January 11, 2023 at 5:30pm.

–Adjourn.

Ken Jax made a motion to adjourn seconded by Keith Korbein. Motion passed 4-0.

Meeting adjourned at 6:54 pm.

Respectfully Submitted,

Michaele Korbein

Deputy Clerk/Treasurer