Town of Germantown

Planning Commission Meeting

MINUTES

Town of Germantown Town Hall
N7560 17th Avenue
New Lisbon, WI 53950
June 19, 2024

Present: Commission Chair Shannon Armel; Commissioners Keith Korbein, Gervase Thompson, Mick McCormick, and Tamaya Loewe; Zoning Administrator Dick Martin, and Deputy Clerk/Treasurer Michaele Korbein

Absent:  None

Guests:  Kim Stoltz of Castle Rock Gardens, Eden Spinelli and Greg Seif for Secret Garden

–Call to Order

The Planning Commission meeting was called to order by Commissioner Shannon Armel at the Germantown Town Hall at 5:34pm. 

–Pledge of Allegiance

–Possible approval of the Minutes from May meeting

Mick McCormick made a motion to approve the minutes of the May 15, 2024 Planning Commission Public, seconded by Keith Korbein; motion passed 4/0. 

Tamaya Loewe arrived.

–Discussion on Castle Rock Gardens setbacks

Setbacks in the Gardens seem to be confusing, recently brought up because of a lot line issue between two neighbors involving an outdoor kitchen that was over the side setback line.  The neighbor of Kim Stoltz did move their outdoor kitchen project.  She indicated there are other issues with lot lines throughout the subdivision and that their Board is working to update their bylaws to match what the Town requires for setbacks so their would be less confusion going forward.  The County’s Shoreland ordinance would apply and would also determine setbacks from the water.  Dick Martin noted that Dave Donnelly from the County Zoning Department wants permits issued for outdoor kitchens as he considers them a structure and therefore have to abide by setback requirements. The Town’s zoning ordinance should be looked at to address hardscaping/outdoor kitchens to include a definition and permitting.

Additionally, between 2005-2006, the Planning Commission had discussed and approved, and the Town Board approved in April 2006, an amendment to include setback averaging for subdivisions that were developed pre-zoning-ordinance, i.e.: Sandy Shores, Castle Rock Shores, and Castle Rock Gardens. This was because these were early developments created without ordinance guidelines, with some having ir-regular shaped or small-type lots and different waterfront concerns with the canals.  The amendment was meant to assist owners by not having to go to the Board of Appeals each time setbacks came up and was added to the zoning ordinance in April 2006.  However, somewhere between 2010-2020 in the course of office personnel and computer file change-overs, the version of the zoning ordinance that included this amendment -and several other items- was not utilized.  And when the zoning ordinance underwent major updates in 2023, the 2006 amendment was not part of the worked-on version of the zoning ordinance and therefore are not part of the current zoning ordinance.  The Planning Commission minutes of the meetings of December 8, 2005 and March 30, 2006, their public hearing of March 30, 2006, and the Board’s April 11, 2006 meeting minutes all covered the setbacks that resulted in that amendment, and the current members had been given copies to review.  This and any other missing amendments should be included in an upcoming meeting to possibly put back into the zoning ordinance.

–Staff meeting for Secret Garden Pop-up Restaurant

Eden Spinelli did a short explanation of their idea for this, to have it on her brother’s property south of The Landing on Hwy G.  According to zoning records, that property is zoned ARO, not Commercial; this is different than what the assessor assesses it at.

They are calling it a mobile food truck but would have structure set on the ground, being shipping containers, and would have port-a-potties.  They would need electric run, and hope to have a liquor license to serve specialty cocktails.

The committee members noted there are no liquor licenses available. This would involve re-zoning the whole property and then require a conditional use permit for the business. Concerns include sanitation, safe water supply, use and placement of shipping containers.  Also, where would their home-base be for their ‘mobile’ aspect, as if it were truly mobile, it should move off the property each day since once set on the ground it no longer is mobile.

It was noted the Town of Rome has an ordinance and permit process to review.

–Work Session on Short Term Rentals

Did not get to this.

–Adjourn.

Next meeting will be July 10, 2024 at 5:30pm.  Keith Korbein made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Gervase Thompson; motion passed 5/0.  Meeting adjourned at 6:55pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Michaele R. Korbein

Deputy Clerk/Treasurer