Minutes, York Township Plan Commission
Meeting of Tuesday 1 May 2012
Roll call was taken and indicated presence of Curt Moen, Kelly Hermanson, Heidi Hankley, Brian Bubenzer and Todd Larson. Town of York First Supervisor Dan Truttman also in attendance; he swore in new Planning Commission member Terri (fill in last name). Todd Larson accepted to serve as Secretary for the purposes of Minutes of the present meeting (but regretfully indicated he could not commit to doing so on a regular basis).
Minutes of immediately preceding meeting (2 April 2012) were read by outgoing Secretary Kelly Hermanson. Brian Bubenzer moved and Heidi Hankley seconded adoption of said Minutes, with one small typo to be corrected by Kelly Hermanson before Minutes are entered into the record. Adoption by unanimous consent.
Old Business: Tracking of Parcels
Heidi Hankley indicated she had studied the hyperlinks forwarded by Jeff Everett and found nothing to be directly responsive to prior Plan Commission deliberations on point. She reiterated, and the remainder of the Commission agreed, that the time might be ripe to simply commence with compilation of a database to manage the tracking of parcels, and come to agreement on appropriate response to issues and questions as they arise. It was also generally felt that the model commenced by Marilyn and Dick Jaeger in 2004 might be a useful starting point for such a database.
At the same time as York may proceed in the above connection, it was felt that discussion might be commenced with the Chairpersons of the three other townships along the northern edge of Green County, which are facing somewhat similar development pressures. Perhaps Exeter, Brooklyn and New Glarus would want to pool resources – or at least share best practices – relevant to the above envisaged data base. It was also felt that Ron Syse (Township Representative on Green County Board) might be approached to learn whether the County could provide a leadership or coordinating role. Action (to make the preceding four contacts, and commence discussion): Dan Truttman
It was suggested that Heidi Hankley’s husband Chip might begin to draft TORs for possible undergrad intern or interns who might commence compilation of the database envisaged above. Action (to approach Chip for the draft TORs): Heidi Hankley. It was also felt that Marcellino Mrianda and / or Thea (fill in last name) might be approached to provide oversight of such intern or interns. Action (to approach Marcellino/Thea, as well as invite the remainder of the Rural Land Committee members to the next Plan Commission meeting for discussion on point): Heidi Hankley
Per discussions at the previous Commission meeting, Brian Bubenzer had been in discussion with a contact of his at the UW College of Letters and Science who is enthusiastic about the possibility of providing a gratis intern or interns under an existing ‘Service Learning’ program. This contact, Tess (fill in last name) would serve as the academic instructor of record for any such internship. Brian Bubenzer had been able to determine that the originally proposed Urban Regional Planning Dept was not interested in providing a graduate student for the work envisaged by the Township.
It was underscored by the Commission that the work of any intern or interns would need to be closely supervised (possibly by Marcellino or Thea; above), and that any institutional knowledge compiled by the intern would need to be remain the property of, and be kept and maintained by, the Commission. In this fashion, if multiple successive interns are necessary for completion of the envisaged database, continuity might be maintained.
Action: Brian Bubenzer to forward to his UW contact the TORs put together by Chip, after the Commission approves the same and after Heidi Hankley establishes availability of Marcellino or Thea to provide regular, ongoing supervision of the intern or interns.
It was pointed out that the Rural Land Conservation Fund might cover de minimis costs associated with the engagement of an intern, whose principal motivation would be receipt of college credit rather than payment of salary. It was also pointed out that the date of entry into effect of the present Land Division Ordinance would need to be established before database compilation might commence. Action: Todd Larson to contact Nancy Anderson for that date.
Old Business: Green County Farmland Preservation Plan
Dan Truttman briefed the Commission on the status of this project at the county level. The Township map, subject of extensive prior discussions by the Commission, had been more or less ‘cleaned up’, and seemed to accurately reflect all land that might be eligible for zoning as Farmland exclusive. In response to a question by the Commission, Dan Truttman explained that if land were both classified as Agricultural Enterprise Area and zoned Farmland exclusive, the annual payments to the landowner would be higher per acre.
Dan Truttman explained that the time was now for the Township to decide whether or not to move forward with Farmland exclusive zoning as per the above referenced map and the ongoing work of the county level working group on of which he was member. He asked the Commission for its view, which he committed to conveying to the Town Board. Hankely moved, Bubenzer seconded, and the Commission voted unanimously to recommend to the Town Board that Dan Truttman be given the authority to move forward, in connection with his work on the county level Farmland Preservation Plan, with Farmland exclusive zoning for the Township, in keeping with the above referenced map.
Thanks to long serving member: The Commission expressed its heartfelt appreciation to Kelly Hermanson for her 9 years of professional, collegial and tireless service on the Commission, and serving efficiently as its Secretary. As well has her friendship and consistent good humor.
Terri moved and Brian seconded to adjourn at 9:30 pm. Unanimous consent.
Next Meeting: 8:00 pm Wednesday 6 June, 8:00 pm (exceptional Wednesday meeting because of recall election on Tuesday 5 June).