TOC Plan Commission Meeting, August 1, 2023
Call to Order:
Roll Call:
Audience Attendance:
Approval of Minutes: June 27
Announcements:
- Town Public Hearing on the 2023-2043 Comprehensive Plan and Future Land Use Map set for August 16 at 7 pm at the Gym. See Questions and Answers attached.
- Frank and Brenda Draft rezoning petition (May 2 TPC Meeting) denied (13-0 vote) on June 27 by the County Board of Supervisors.
- Bayfield County is proceeding with a Request for Proposals (RFP) for professional services for the comprehensive review and update of the zoning code with a target date of June 2025. This may provide an opportunity to align zoning with the 2023-2043 Future Land Use Map.
New Business:
- Class A Special Use Permit for one short-term rental in R-RB at 89165 Bark Point Rd by Scott and Christina McLewin.
- Class A Special Use Permit for grading more than 200 square feet within 1,000 feet of Lake Superior for a driveway and turnaround at 89045 Bark Point Rd by Joshua and Christa Watson.
Future Business:
Adjournment:
Agenda prepared on July 25, 2023 by the Plan Commission Chair, Keith Koenning, and questions may be directed to him at keith.koenning@gmail.com or 715-774-3475.
Posted on the Town’s website, herbsterwisconsin.com, and not later than 7 pm on July 31 at the Town Hall (Gym) and Post Office.
2023-2043 Comprehensive Plan and Future Land Use Map
Questions and Answers
- What is the purpose of the August 16 hearing? The hearing presents the opportunity for the Town Board to hear comments on the Plan and Map before the Town Board considers adopting the Plan and Map.
- Can the Town Board independently change the Plan and Map prior to adoption? Yes, the Board is the final authority; however, the TPC ordinance and State law suggest that the appropriate procedure would be for the Town Board to defer adoption of the Plan and Map and return it to the TPC to consider changes recommended by the Town Board.
- How does the Plan and Map affect Town decisions? Comprehensive Plans and Future Land Use Maps in Wisconsin are considered advisory and not regulatory. They are roadmaps for the future based on what residents today want the future to look like. It is expected that if the Town does not follow the Plan and Map, that the reasons for not doing so be stated.
- How does the Plan and Map affect County decisions? Land use decisions made by the County for the Town (the County is the Town’s zoning authority) are to be consistent with the Plan and Map.
- How does the Plan and Map affect zoning? In 1976 a zoning ordinance was adopted in Bayfield County. Changes to zoning in Wisconsin may occur either by landowner petition or by a County wide zoning update (i.e., private property zoning changes cannot be requested by the Town or anyone other than the landowner). The County in June 2023 took the first steps in a County wide zoning update and the Town’s Future Land Use Map may affect the zoning update to align zoning with the Future Land Use Map.
- Who wrote the Plan and prepared the Map? An ad hoc Plan Committee of the Town Plan Commission (TPC) was formed after a public meeting of July 23, 2022. The Committee wrote Part One of the Plan, and the Northwest Regional Planning Commission (NWRPC) wrote Part Two of the Plan.
- How are Parts One and Two of the Plan different? Part One contains objectives and recommendations for future land use and contains the Future Land Use Map. Part Two contains census data, soil and environmental conditions, references to existing background reports, and other supporting information.
- How was the public involved in the Plan? There were four public meetings from July 2022 to June 2023, all were announced on the Town’s website and by postings at the Post Office and Gym. All landowners were sent notification of a written survey administered by the NWRPC available online and at the Gym. The Plan and Future Land Use Map were presented at the June meeting, 4 to 7 pm, and all comments were provided to the Plan Committee. The Plan Committee finalized the Plan and Map shortly thereafter.
- Who paid for the Plan and Map? The Town applied for and received a Wisconsin Coastal Management Program grant of $14, 036. Volunteers contributed time that constituted a match of $16,877.
- Where can I find a copy of the Plan? After adoption of the Plan and Map, a copy of Part One will be mailed to each Town of Clover taxpayer. Both parts of the Plan will be available on the Bayfield County Planning and Zoning Department website.