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Conservation Commission -Minutes-20041206 Conservation Commission approved City of Muskego Minutes of Meeting Held on Monday, December 6, 2004 Len Pilak called the meeting to order at 7:01 PM. Present were Commission members Gary Stewart, Howard Schneider and Conservation Coordinator Tom Zagar and those per attached list. Henry Posbrig and Alderman Madden were absent. Those present recited the Pledge of Allegiance. The meeting was posted on November 24, 2004 in accordance with the open meeting law. APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING’S MINUTES – A motion was made by Gary Stewart to approve the minutes of August 23, 2004, seconded by Howard Schneider and carried by all. STAFF REPORT UPDATE ON ENGEL PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT – The city applied for the Wetland Reserve Program (WRP) for the agricultural wetland area (about 50 acres) on the north side of the property. WRP will pay for an easement to keep the land in wetland and full restoration cost to restore the wetlands. The Fish and Wildlife Program and Wisconsin Waterfall Association provided seeds that were planted this fall on 18.5 acres of prairie. PRAIRIE PLANTING AND INVASIVE SPECIES MANAGEMENT – Staff is treating the large buckthorn that survived the controlled burn by cutting and applying herbicide at Bluhm Park. OLD BUSINESS TOUR OF ENGEL PROPERTY AND BLUHM PARK – Howard Schneider question the condition of the house on the Engel property. Tom Zagar and staff cleaned the gutters and downspouts and noted the sump pump is working properly. Howard Schneider asked about the wetland mitigation on the Engel property. Tom Zagar did not have any new information. DISCUSS EROSION ON WESTERN SHORE OF HOLZ ISLAND ON LITTLE MUSKEGO LAKE – Tom Zagar and Howard Schneider along with Jay Erdmann inspected the island and identified areas that need work. Tom Zagar discussed ways to prevent erosion from eroding away by installing riprap and laying logs in the water attached to rebar so they would not float away. Len Pilak asked if grant money would be available for this type of work. Gary Stewart thought the Lake District would have information regarding the grant money and would have to contact them. Tom Zagar will submit a concept plan to the Department of Natural Resource to find out what type of permits are required. Gary Stewart expressed concerns regarding attaching the logs to rebar because it is a permanent structure in the water and potential future navigation hazard. NEW BUSINESS CONSIDER RUSTIC STRUCTURE DESIGNATION FOR THE BARN OF RUSDAHL PROPERTY (W185 S8266 DURHAM DRIVE) – Tom Zagar read the definition for a “Rustic Structure designation” to the commissioners: Any permanent accessory structure or building Conservation Commission Meeting December 6, 2004 Page 2 which is distinctly set apart and unique from other structures and buildings due to its construction technique, materials, age, local historic significance or design, and characteristic of past agricultural practices or rural life, whether presently utilized or not for agricultural practice and which is structurally safe at the time conditional use is applied for. Len Pilak question if anyone from the city has looked at the barn? Tom Zagar stated that Building Inspector Mike Moore inspected the barn and found no structural problems. Howard Schneider asked if the owner (owners) is willing to restore and maintain the barn. He noted the structure needs repairs such as: a new roof, windows and boards need to be repaired. Len Pilak then addressed Mrs. Stanley Dunahee for her comments. Mrs. Dunahee said the structure is an eyesore and is not a unique building. Historical barns are in their regular setting and this structure is set in a subdivision. She said the structure is sadly in need of repairs and the pictures do not depict the condition of the barn. Len Pilak stated in all fairness he would like to talk to the owners and see if they are willing to restore and maintain the building – he recalled that a conditional use was given to the Benke Farm with conditions that the barn would be maintained. The commissioners agreed they would like to keep historical buildings in Muskego including this barn but feel that it is in need of work. Gary Stewart offered a few comments - the resolution to approve the Certified Survey Map states one of the criteria is that existing wooden barn, if larger than 1,387 square feet will need to be removed within 6 months of the recording of the CSM, altered to 1,387 square feet or less, or pursued as a possible rustic structure. Gary Stewart indicated that the Conservation Commission is relatively new and their preservation policy is to keep historical structures but there are problems with this building and things need to be done in order for the commissioners to give that designation. Gary Stewart said he would like to defer this item. Howard Schneider suggested that Tom Zagar coordinate a meeting with the Plan Commission Members, Conservation Commission Members and the owners of the property before the Conservation Commissioners can make a decision. Gary Stewart proposed a statement of consensus regarding a rustic structure designation to this barn. Statement of consensus to the Plan Commission Members – We, the Conservation Commission believe in promoting historical preservation but have concerns with the condition and structure of the building and need to know the intent of the owners; whether they will maintain and restore the structure. REVIEW PRELIMINARY PLAT OF VALLEY VIEW ESTATE (MARTIN DRIVE) – Tom Zagar discussed with the Commission a preliminary plat of Valley View Estates located east of Hardtke Drive. Howard Schneider suggested addressing the creek problems and erosion problem at this time. Tom Zagar said the developer is not responsible for the current condition of that creek bed as it is now. Len Pilak recommended contacting the appropriate people to address the creek problem. After further discussion, Gary Stewart made a motion to approve the preliminary plat of Valley View Estate expressing concerns to preserve the trees and address the existing and potential erosion problems on lots 6 through 10; seconded by Howard Schneider and carried by all. CONSIDER MODIFICATION OF CONSERVATION PLAN TO ASSIGN SAME PRIORITY RANKING SYSTEM TO ALL LANDS – Tom Zagar proposed changing the Conservation Priorities Map in the Conservation Plan to show a single set of priority rankings rather than separating them into acquisition priority or management priority. He said the issue arose recently when the Common Council considered the acquisition of the Paepke parcel, which had been identified as a “management” priority. He said the Conservation Plan was never Conservation Commission Meeting December 6, 2004 Page 3 meant to disallow the acquisition of properties tagged as “management” priorities. Mr. Zagar proposed a single ranking system to avoid any future confusion. Gary Stewart made a motion to directed Tom Zagar to develop a conservation map to reflect a single set of conservation priorities; seconded by Howard Schneider and carried by all. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS NEXT MEETING DATE – At this time the Commission did not set the next meeting date. ADJOURNMENT Being no further business to discuss, Howard Schneider motioned to adjourn; seconded by Gary Stewart and carried by all. Meeting adjourned at 8:20 PM. Respectfully Submitted, Kim Chavie Recording Secretary