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Conservation Commission -Minutes-20060215 Conservation Commission Approved City of Muskego Minutes of Meeting Held on Wednesday, February 15, 2006 Chairman Len Pilak called the meeting to order at 7:01 P.M. Present: Mr. Ted Decker, Mr. Len Pilak, Mr. Howard Schneider, Mr. Gary Stewart, Mr. Bill Miller and Conservation Coordinator Tom Zagar. Alderman Patterson arrived at 7:17 PM Absent: Mr. Henry Posbrig Guest: Ms. Diane Ekstrand, Mr. Bill Carity and Mr. Kalvin Klimeck Those present recited the Pledge of Allegiance. The meeting was posted on February 2, 2006 in accordance with the open meeting law. APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES - A motion was made by Gary Stewart to approve the Conservation Commission minutes of December 7, 2005. Seconded by Howard Schneider and carried by all. Chairman Len Pilak questioned if Tom Zagar contacted the Potawatomi Indian Tribe regarding funding or grant money for development of the Engel property. Tom Zagar explained he is researching this item. He contacted the City of Mequon for information regarding a non-profit fund that is used to develop conservation uses. Chairman Pilak questioned if the house on the Engel property is being heated. Tom Zagar said after discussing this issue with the City of Muskego building inspectors, it was determined that there is no need to heat the house since there is no running water or working plumbing in the house. Chairman Pilak questioned if the Muskego Recreational Trail Map was forwarded to the Common Council for approval. Tom Zagar is currently working on revising and merging the park and conservation plans together to make one document and that map will be a component of that plan. Council can adopt it upon approval of the new Parks and Conservation Plans. OLD BUSINESS EROSION CONTROL PROJECT ON HOLZ ISLAND-LITTLE MUSKEGO LAKE – Tom Zagar advised the consultants that are working on a plan have not contacted him as of today’s date. He is not sure whether consultants had the opportunity to visit the site with the ice conditions. He will follow up on this item. CONSERVATION EASEMENT FOR THE RIDGES CONSERVATION LANDS LOCATED IN THE SE ¼ OF SECTION 6 - Nothing new to report. This item is deferred. DISCUSS IMPLEMENTATION OF MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING TREE MITIGATION - Tom Zagar and Bill Miller are working together to come up with ideas to qualify for tree mitigation rather than the simple 1 to 1 six-inch tree. One idea discussed is to take the tree diameter, multiply by quality adjustment factor to the quality of tree, and then calculate to a diameter of mitigation. Some trees would carry little or no value such as Box Elder and American Elm whereas Bur Oak and Shagbark Hickory would carry a greater value. Mr. Miller Conservation Commission Meeting February 15, 2006 Page 2 discussed in some cases where so many trees exist, a monetary value in lieu of planting trees could be accepted. The money would then be used for conservation purposes. Mr. Stewart questioned what the scope of the municipal code is for tree mitigation and how would it affect projects such as the Janesville Road widening and future widening projects. Tom Zagar stated that although the tree mitigation code covers land subdivisions only, the city has planted more trees than were lost in the recent Janesville Road widening and Moorland Road extension projects. NEW BUSINESS REVIEW PRELIMINARY PLAT FOR RUSTIC TRAILS ESTATES – Tom Zagar reviewed with the Commissioners a preliminary plat of Rustic Trails Estates located off of Field Drive. Tom Zagar noted that the plan follows the current zoning of the area with a minimum lot size of 2.75 acres. The Commissioners previously approved a conservation subdivision concept for the area however, following some opposition at the public hearing, the Common Council did not grant rezoning to COPD. Some Commissioners commented they were disappointed the subdivision did not follow the conservation format. REVIEW PRELIMINARY PLAT FOR BELLE CHASSE SUBDIVISION – Bill Carity and Calvin Klimeck representing Belle Chasse subdivision appeared before the Commissioners to discuss the preliminary plat. Commissioners reviewed the concept plat at the December 2005 meeting th and were invited to tour the property on the 10 of December. The property is currently zoned RS-2 requiring lot sizes of 20,000 square feet and 110 feet in width and Mr. Carity is proposing to rezone the property to RS-3 / OPD which would allow lot sizes of 14,000 square feet and 90 feet in width. Neighboring residents attended the public hearing and were not in favor of rezoning and smaller lots. The area is noted as a high acquisition priority area on the Conservation Plan. The concept plan preserved most of the wooded areas. Mr. Carity had several questions for the Commissioners. He questioned what role does the Conservation Commissioners have in approving a subdivision plat and to whom do they make their recommendation. He asked if Commissioners had any suggestions or comments in order to move forward with this subdivision; specifically, what can be done with the woods? Mr. Stewart explained the Commissioners review, advise or comment on items that are brought before the Commissioners. The information is then forwarded to the Plan Commission and then Common Council for approval. After further discussion, Chairman Pilak volunteered to attend the Plan Commission meeting with Mr. Carity to discuss the Conservation Commission’s comments for this subdivision. REVIEW WOODLAND CREEK ESTATES ADDITION FINAL PLAT – Tom Zagar reviewed with the Commissioners a final plat of Woodland Creek Addition #1 subdivision located adjacent to the Engel conservation property. He noted that commissioners approved the preliminary plat at the June 2005 meeting and should reiterate their recommendations for the final plat. Chairman Pilak moved to recommend that this development provide a pedestrian access off the street to the Engel conservation property and limit tree clearing to building pads or through creation of a tree preservation area on lots 63 through 68. Seconded by Mr. Miller and carried by all. REVIEW AND RECOMMEND CONSERVATION SITE SIGNAGE AND EMBLEM – Tom Zagar displayed a picture of a monument sign concept to be used at the Engel property. Conservation Commission Meeting February 15, 2006 Page 3 Commissioners liked the concept and agreed that the site should be named “Engel Conservation Area” rather than “Engel Nature Preserve.” Mr. Zagar also suggested that city conservation sites should be identified with a modest sign with a consistent format that would include an emblem. He presented an idea he worked on that featured the Forsters Tern, an endangered species that flourishes on Big Muskego Lake. Discussion ensued on other emblem ideas; they would like to keep the emblem simple but consistent throughout the city. Chairman Pilak suggested contacting the schools and students could have the opportunity to design an emblem regarding conservation. He mentioned Big Muskego Lake District once needed an emblem and asked students for their participation. They received a variety of emblems and it was nice to see what design the students came up with. Chairman Pilak will initiate contacting the school district to get the project started. All agreed this would be a good opportunity for students to be involved with conservation. REVIEW LETTER FROM BOXHORN RESERVE DEVELOPER REGARDING NAMING OF DEDICATED LAND – Tom Zagar received a letter from the developer requesting that the conservation land dedicated to the city be named after the Blattner family. Mr. Schneider made a motion to name the dedicated woods after the Blattner family; seconded by Chairman Pilak and carried by all. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS- Mr. Stewart stated he is resigning from the Conservation Commission due to other demands on his time. He will notify Mayor Charles Damaske of his resignation. Gratitude was expressed to Gary for his dedicated service to the Commission. 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 Ted Decker and carried by all. Meeting adjourned at 8:37 PM. Kim Chavie Recording Secretary