Town of Germantown

Official Website of the Town of Germantown, Juneau County, WI

Town of Germantown

Planning Commission Meeting Minutes

April 22, 2025

 

Present: Commission Chairperson Keith Korbein, Commissioners Gervase Thompson, Tamaya Loewe, Mick McCormick, and Mike Edwards; Deputy Clerk/Treasurer Michaele Korbein

Absent:  Zoning Administrator Dick Martin

Also Present:  71 public guests which included the Petitioners for Turtle Landing LLC Ray/Jill Monroe and Jay/Katie Larson

 

–Call to Order

The Planning Commission meeting was called to order by Chairperson Keith Korbein at the Germantown Town Hall at 6:15pm.

–Pledge of Allegiance

–Possible approval of meeting minutes

Mick McCormick made a motion to approve the minutes of the March 18, 2025 Planning Commission meeting, seconded by Mike Edwards; motion passed 5/0.   

–Discussion and possible approval of rezoning of 10.02 acres for Turtle Landing, LLC.

Main points made during this discussion included: 

Commercial vs Residential -that the Town has to make a choice on the direction it is going for its different areas.  This includes consulting the Town’s Comprehensive Plan that should be used as a guideline in decision-making. Sometimes that means what we want is not what we get.  We have to keep personal feelings aside to hear what the people want, to represent them. The proposal seemed to be more of an idea than a plan. In looking to the future of the area, the west side of 17th is more residential.  The only way Spot Zoning could apply is if it would help bring an ordinance into compliance if the intended rezoning would benefit the neighborhood.  But this does not seem to benefit the neighborhood or fit that the Town’s Comprehensive Plan.  You have to find a reasonable balance. The majority of the people at the hearing and at this meeting were against the project for many different reasons; the Committee needs to represent them.

A motion was then made by Tamaya Loewe and seconded by Gervase Thompson to deny the petition from Turtle Landing LLC to rezoning the 10.02 acres from residential to commercial.  A roll-call vote was held:  Tamaya Loewe -yes, Mike Edwards -yes, Keith Korbein -yes, Gervase Thompson -yes, Mick McCormick -yes.

An overall Thank You goes to everyone who attended to be heard in some way -your opinions are appreciated and heard.

A short break happened while most people left the meeting.

–Staff Meeting/Work Session on OneEnergy solar project

Stanley Minnic relayed that this solar project would be similar to and directly to the east of the SoCore solar project on Hwy 58 and behind the Phoenix Industrial complex (previously the old Best Power location) on land owned by Pavloski Solar.  The land is currently zoned ARO; ordinance says it would need to be rezoned to Commercial.  SoCore sells power to Dairlyland Power; this project would provide power to Oakdale Electric’s substation to provide power to the local property owners.  Construction timeline would be in 2026 and take 4-6 months to install. Brad Pavloski said OneEnergy personnel are easy to work with, even better than SoCore.  Question if there would be possible expansion: it depends on Oakdale and the local needs.  They work with a soil person on their staff and would like to have plants to benefit the pollinators.  As for a fence, they prefer ag fencing with metal posts constructed to NEC code. The next step would be a public hearing May 20, 2025 at 5:30 pm followed by a Planning Commission meeting. Then it would go before the Town Board on June 10, 2025 at 6pm. 

–Work Session continued on Short Term Rentals

A call was placed to Carol Nawrocki of the Wisconsin Towns Association to answer some questions that came from the last meeting. 

What liability would the Town have if they enacted an STR ordinance?  Anytime an ordinance is enacted, the Town is liable.

STRs are allowed as long as they are registered with the State. An STR permit would at least give notice to the STR owner, basically it would verify that the person is aware of rules. 

Room Tax and the Town’s use of their share:  Yes, you can have a room tax ordinance and collect room tax without an STR ordinance -they are separate items.   The room tax percentage is 70 tourism/30 Town.  The Town has no restrictions on what it can use their 30% on.

The most that can be charged for room tax: 8%.

Discussion then continued.

A question was asked if anyone has talked to State representatives about liability and vulnerability so the Town does not get sued.  We cannot stop renting but can restrict.

Another question was if the WTA would send Attorney Carol Nawrocki to speak on STRs and room tax.

You can get sued whether or not you have an ordinance.

Some thoughts could be to follow State Statutes regarding fees, have a room tax, and have a higher penalty to act as a deterrent.

Additional question was asked about what the insurance company would say.

We should revisit the last STR version that was worked on for the next meeting.

–May meetings

These will be May 20, 2025, starting at 5:30pm.

–Adjourn

Tamaya Loewe made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Mike Edwards; motion passed 5/0.  Meeting adjourned at 7:25pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Michaele R. Korbein, Deputy Clerk/Treasurer