Town of Germantown

Planning Commission Meeting

MINUTES

Town of Germantown Town Hall

N7560 17th Avenue
New Lisbon, WI 53950
October14, 2020
5:30 p.m.

Present:   Commission Chair Shannon Armel, Commissioners Keith Korbein, Ken Jax, Gervase Thompson,  

            Mick  McCormick,  Zoning Administrator Dick Martin,   Deputy Clerk/Treasurer Michaele Korbein

Absent:    none

Guests:    Brad Pavloski and Pat Pavloski

Call to Order

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

Pledge

Review of status update from the Pavloski Developments on PUDs

-Island lake could finish before 2026.

-High Ridge and Copper Point lot totals need to be clarified.

-High Ridge has condos left to do by pond.

-Stonegate has one phase with just a handful of lots to complete.

-Sand Point, Rock Island Lake, Campfire Lake, and Bear Paw Lake has work continuing.

-Beach Lake second addition has been turned in for review.

-Island Lake at Copper Point -11^th Addition is being reviewed tonight by the Planning Commission, and overall so far 262 lots are platted.

Work session on zoning ordinance updates with possible presentation by Vierbicher

Discussion continued from last meeting on shipping containers for use as storage.  Discussion was reviewed from last meeting.  Semi-trailers are not allowed for storage.  Our building inspector, Tracy Johnson, indicated to Dick Martin that a building permit would not be needed for a shipping container for storage; Dick would only need to issue a zoning permit and the fee would be based on square footage.  A definition should be included in Zoning Ordinance Section 11 Definitions and in Section 2.11 Accessory Uses and Structures and in the Land Use Ordinance definitions.  Requirements of having a shipping container for storage should include limiting one per parcel, must be affixed to the ground, have a minimum of setting it on a gravel pad/base, must be kept in good condition, and would be restricted to side and rear yards only and comply with zoning ordinance setbacks requirements. We can permit them in some districts, but do not want them in Town Center and we would need to have an appeal process like a Conditional Use as the avenue for people to appeal. 

There were concerns about updating the zoning ordinance, and ordinances in general, regarding the need for enforcement of them.  No reason to have rules if they are not being enforced.  Both Zoning and Enforcement are becoming bigger jobs because of all the development.  The Board may need to consider an officer for code enforcement instead of law enforcement. 

A Joint Planning Commission and Town Board Public Hearing will be scheduled for November 18, 2020 at 5:30pm.  Josh Langen from Viebicher will be here then to go over the changes to the zoning and to field any questions.  Then the Town Board and the Planning Commission will be scheduled for a joint meeting directly following for review and possible approval of the changes.

Discussion on signs and sign ordinance

Sign ordinances from neighboring municipalities can be used as samples and reviewed for upcoming discussion.  Temporary signs and banners could have a time limit to be up.  Could have a permit to renew sign permits.  Political signs must be removed the day after an election.  Michaele will print copies for members to review.

Discussion on camping and camping ordinance

Nothing new discussed.

Adjourn

Keith Korbein made a motion, seconded by Ken Jax, to adjourn at 6:45pm.  Motion carried 5-0.

Respectfully Submitted,

Michaele Korbein

Deputy Clerk/Treasurer