Town of Germantown

TOWN OF GERMANTOWN

PLAN COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES

JULY 12, 2023

Present:            Commission Chair Shannon Armel, Commissioners Keith Korbein, Tamaya Loewe, Gervase Thompson

Deputy Clerk/Treasurer Michaele Korbein

Absent:            Commissioner Mick  McCormick, Zoning Administrator Dick Martin

Public:              Mark Loewe

–Call to Order

The Planning Commission meeting was called to order by chairperson Shannon Armel at the Germantown Town Hall at 5:35pm. 

–Pledge of Allegiance

–Discussion and possible approval of Ordinance 22 changes

Discussed additional changes to the zoning ordinance (Ordinance #22):

Sections 5.04(1), 8.02(3), 9.01(3), and 9.02(3)  pertaining to the publication requirements for posting an official notice:  Each of those areas currently say, “Prior to the submittal of the Official Notice regarding the application to the newspaper by the Town Clerk,” .  However, Germantown does not publish in newspapers; as per State Statue chapter 985 we can and do opt to post in three places in the town plus on the town’s website.  So those four areas could be re-worded as, “Prior to the publishing and/or posting of the Official Notice as required per WI State Statutes for a Class 2 notice by the Town Clerk,”  .

The phrase, “camper vehicles and other non-permanent structures for permitted human habitation” is used quite throughout the camping section and is causing confusion and complaints from readers.  To simplify this, could remove the phrase and use just the word, “camper”. 

Then in the definitions section, for “Camper Vehicle”:  Remove the word “Vehicle” from the phrase “Camper Vehicle” at the beginning and near the end of the definition, and then also remove the phrase, “non-permanent structure for human habitation”.

Then add to the definition section the word and definition of “CAMP/CAMPING:  to live temporarily in a camp facility or outdoors; to place, pitch, or occupy camp facilities, including recreational vehicles; or to use camp paraphernalia for the purpose of temporary human habitation in a CAMPER.”

Remove completely from section 2.09(6)b) the phrase and definition of

PERMITTED HUMAN HABITATION PURPOSES: the use and occupation by a human being or beings of a given camper vehicle or non-permanent structure as a place for shelter, sleeping, cooking, eating and other occupation typical of what is commonly understood as being that of a living quarter for a period of more than thirty (30) consecutive calendar days in a year unless located in a licensed and authorized public or commercial campground or mobile home park.

–Discussion and possible approval of Ordinance 22 checklists

Checklists for sections 3.08, 5.0, 8.02, 9.01, and 9.02 were reviewed as presented. Several additional checkbox areas in each were noted to be added.  Also, section 6.0 needs to have checkboxes created.

–Discussion and possible approval of changes to ordinances 15,4,13,30,35,46,57

A copy of the combined ordinances was distributed for next meeting discussion.

–Adjourn.

Next meeting date to be August 9, 2023 at 5:30pm.  Should have a public hearing on the ordinance changes first, followed by the regular meeting.  Gervase Thompson made a motion to adjourn seconded by Keith Korbein. Motion passed 4-0.  Meeting adjourned at 7:38 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Michaele R. Korbein

Deputy Clerk/Treasurer