Town of Germantown

Planning Commission Meeting

MINUTES

Town of Germantown Town Hall
N7560 17th Avenue
New Lisbon, WI 53950
May 15, 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:  Ray Monroe, Jay Larson, Tina/Howard Schumaker, other guests

 

 

 

–Call to Order

The Planning Commission meeting was called to order by Commissioner Shannon Armel at the Germantown Town Hall at 5:30pm. 

 

–Pledge of Allegiance

 

–Possible approval of the Minutes from April meeting

Mick McCormick made a motion to approve the minutes of the April 17, 2024 Planning Commission Public, seconded by Tamaya Loewe; motion passed 5/0.

 

–Staff meeting with Ray Monroe for request for zero lot line duplex

Ray Monroe stated he and Jay Larson would like to divide a lot on 38^th to be able to build a duplex in the middle right of the lot.  The lot currently is in Town Center on 38^th Street.  The building would have a common wall right on the lot line. Each duplex would have separate ownership.  They would like to have two septic systems as they claim it is easier to sell.  The lot is 210’x330’.

 

Discussion continued with non-conforming lots and the review of Section 3.04 Town Center of the Zoning Ordinance regarding lot width on different uses.  There are different requirements for lots with permitted uses for either having sanitary sewer or a septic system.  Basically, Town Center requires 3 acres and 300’ of lot frontage for a multi-family structure for lots not on sanitary sewer.  But no matter what their request is for building a multi-family structure, a variance would be needed in which the owners would have to prove hardship which may be difficult to do.

 

–Work session continued on Short Term Rentals

Most of the members were impressed by the short term rental ordinance from Town of Rome in Adams County. In their section 234-60 on License Duration and Renewal, they questioned how they have their application for their permits as being due June 1 -Shannon will check with the Town’s attorney if that can be done. Also, question on if they can do apps and how.

 

The link to the apps https://granicus.com/solution/govservice/host-compliance/ .  This assists owners with their short-term rental monitoring, compliance, and enforcement.  

 

Discussed permit application fee to include administration costs.

 

Maybe room tax should be re-considered.  75% of that fee goes to a qualified tourism entity either existing or creating one, development expenses, roads, signage, and web interface.  25% stays with the town, but right now not sure what that can be spent on but it could be importing a revenue stream without taxing the residents living here.

 

The biggest question is still how to enforce.  Rome employs a service to track it.  Owners have to set up with them first before being able to get their STR permit.

 

Room tax doesn’t have to be included the ordinance now, but it can be added later.

 

Could ask the WTA to come to our meeting to go over things and ask questions.

 

Audience member Tina Schumacher suggested a $0 first year fee, just to get owners permitted, and then the following year start charging them.  However, she noted that the more fees are, the less owners are willing to comply with the rules and permitting processes.  And lastly, she said to make the fees and rules so that they are enforceable.

 

More information will come from Shannon after she calls the Town of Rome with her questions.

 

–Adjourn.

Next meeting will be June 5, 2024 at 5:30pm.  Keith Korbein made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Mick McCormick; motion passed 5/0.  Meeting adjourned at 6:48pm.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Michaele R. Korbein

Deputy Clerk/Treasurer