Conservation Commission -Minutes-20050104
Conservation Commission approved
City of Muskego
Minutes of Meeting Held on Tuesday, January 4, 2005
Len Pilak called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
Present were Commission members Len Pilak, Howard Schneider, Gary Stewart, Alderman
Madden and Conservation Coordinator Tom Zagar and those per attached list. Henry Posbrig
arrived at 7:08 PM.
Those present recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
The meeting was posted on December 23, 2004 in accordance with the open meeting law.
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES – A motion was made by Howard
Schneider to approve the minutes of December 14, 2004; seconded by Alderman Madden
and carried by all.
OLD BUSINESS
TOUR OF ENGEL PROPERTY AND BLUHM PARK – Nothing new to report.
EROSION CONTROL PROJECT ON HOLZ ISLAND ON LITTLE MUSKEGO LAKE – Tom
Zagar had no new information for this item. Tom Zagar stated he has been busy with other
scheduled projects and still needs to submit a concept plan to the Department of Natural
Resources to find out what type of permits are required. He also indicated that permits might
not be issued in time to complete the project this winter. Howard Schneider encouraged Tom
Zagar to contact the DNR so that the project may be started this year.
NEW BUSINESS
RECOMMENDATION FOR ACQUISITION AND/OR MANAGEMENT OF LANDS IN BOXHORN
RESERVE CONSERVATION SUBDIVISION – Tom Zagar reviewed with the Commissioners
an aerial plat of Boxhorn Reserve Subdivision and noted the plat states that outlot 2 is to be
acquired by the City of Muskego per agreement with the developer. Mike Doble of Land Craft
Survey & Engineering attended the meeting representing the developer (Creative Homes).
Mike Doble explained the developer’s intent is for the City of Muskego or the Department of
Natural Resources to acquire the conservation land rather than having the homeowner’s
association own and maintain it. Mike Doble stated the developer would work with the city’s
attorney to develop a detailed agreement but needs direction from the City before that can be
drafted. Len Pilak commented he would prefer the City acquire the land because then the City
would have more control over it than if owned by the Department of Natural Resources. Tom
Zagar stated that the 6.5-acre outlot is adjacent to land already owned by the Department of
Natural Resources. Gary Stewart noted that it is in the City’s best interest to acquire the land
now and decide later its uses. Discussion continued on whether the city or the Department of
Natural Resources should acquire the land. Len Pilak moved to recommend the City of
Muskego pursue acquisition of said property per the developer and city agreement with
future use plan; seconded by Gary Stewart and carried by all.
REVIEW PRELIMINARY PLAT OF VALLEY VIEW ESTATES (MARTIN DRIVE)
RECOMMENDATION FOR OUTLOT AND TREES – Tom Zagar stated this item is on the
agenda for Commission members to review the plat again and make specific
recommendations for Plan Commission and planning staff regarding their concerns for tree
preservation and erosion potential. Gary Stewart stated that the Conservation Commission
th
approved the preliminary plat for Valley View Estates at the December 6 meeting. Len Pilak
read the motion: After further discussion, Gary Stewart made a motion to approve the
preliminary plat of Valley View Estates expressing concerns to preserve the trees and address
Conservation Commission Meeting
January 4, 2005
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the existing and potential erosion problems on lots 6 through 10; seconded by Howard
Schneider and carried by all. Tom Zagar noted that he recently visited the site. The building
pads on those five lots, as platted would result in significant grade changes and tree loss in the
woodlot. The Commission needs to make specific recommendations if they wish to see this
woodlot preserved. All agreed that the trees and grades of the entire woodlot should remain
intact. Discussion ensued on how to make this recommendation without conflicting with the
prior recommendation of approval “with concerns.” Commissioners agreed that Outlot 1
should include the entire woods, or if individual lots included portions of the woodlot, that
preservation restrictions be placed on those areas. This would result in reconfiguration of the
plat. Howard Schneider made a motion recommending Outlot 1 of the preliminary plat of
Valley View Estate include all of the woods or that lots 6 thru 10 have preservation
restrictions on the wooded areas; seconded by Henry Posbrig and carried by all.
2005 CONSERVATION WORK PLAN –Tom Zagar explained the 2005 Conservation Work
Plan and asked if the Commissioners had any questions or concerns. Len Pilak made a
motion to approve the 2005 Conservation Work Plan as submitted; seconded by Howard
Schneider and carried by all.
PRESCRIBED BURN TRAINING FOR VOLUNTEERS – Tom Zagar explained that he is
certified to perform prescribed burns and would offer training to the conservation volunteers to
assist in some of the burn projects. Howard Schneider indicated he would be interested in
attending a prescribed burn training in the future.
DISCUSS DEVELOPMENT OF ENGEL CONSERVATION PROPERTY – Tom Zagar stated he
would like the Commissioners to think about uses or ideas for the Engel Conservation
Property. Len Pilak suggested using the building for hunter safety or archery classes. Howard
Schneider stated Parks and Recreation Board discussed nature trails. Henry Posbrig said after
the Commissioners tour the Engel Property that they would have more ideas and to keep this
item on the agenda.
APPROVAL OF LEASES TO FARM CROPLANDS ON ENGEL AND KELSEY DRIVE
CONSERVATION PROPERTIES – Tom Zagar provided the Commission members a copy of
the two conservation properties cropland leases. Each establishes a rate of $55.00 per tillable
acre. Len Pilak moved to approve of leases to farm croplands on Engel and Kelsey Drive
Conservation Properties; seconded by Alderman Madden and carried by all.
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS- Nothing new to report
MEETING DATE – At this time the Commission did not set the next meeting date.
ADJOURNMENT
Being no further business to discuss, Gary Stewart moved to adjourn; seconded by
Alderman Madden and carried by all. Meeting adjourned at 8:07 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kim Chavie
Recording Secretary
Conservation Commission Meeting
January 4, 2005
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