Conservation Commission -Minutes-20070122
Approved
Conservation Commission
City of Muskego
Minutes of Meeting Held on Monday, January 22, 2007
Chairman Leonard Pilak called the meeting to order at 7:01 PM and led those in
attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Present: Mr. Leonard Pilak, Ms. Sharon Roy, Mr. Howard Schneider, Ms. Karen
Hartwell, Mr. Bill Miller, Ald. Bob Melcher and Conservation Coordinator Tom Zagar.
Excused: Mr. Ted Decker
Others in attendance: Al and Jeanette Brockman, Kirk & Mary Springer, and Joseph
Niebler were in attendance primarily for the Stagecoach Trail agenda item. Steve
Bruskiewicz, Blenda Treba and Paul Kologa were present primarily for the Kolaga
agenda item.
The meeting was posted on January 8, 2007, in accordance with the open meeting law.
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES – A motion was made by Mr.
Howard Schneider to approve the minutes of the meeting held December 4, 2006.
Seconded by Mr. Bill Miller, motion carried.
The committee agreed to take items out of order.
NEW BUSINESS
Review Preliminary Plat and Tree Survey of Stagecoach Trail Subdivision –
Conservation Coordinator Tom Zagar advised the Commission that this property is
recognized as containing a conservation priority area and the Commission had requested
that a tree survey be submitted. This preliminary plat submittal is a substantial change to
the original submittal. The main issue is the impact to the priority areas of the
Conservation Plan. Tom Zagar indicated that he and Bill Miller walked the area and
documented that the western area has older mature trees that are preserved in an outlot
and the eastern area where development is proposed (next to Hillendale Drive) has lower
quality, younger-growth trees. There are approximately 500 trees in this area and the
majority of them are of low quality. Historical area photos indicate that most of these
trees began growing after 1980. Bill Miller indicated that he felt that the revised plan has
very low impact on quality trees and is a good layout.
Chairman Pilak acknowledged persons in and invited them to comment. In general they
wanted to assure that the rural character of their neighborhood would remain and that
there wouldn’t be excessive tree clearing.
Conservation Commission Meeting – January 22, 2007 – Page 2
Tom Zagar suggested that wooded lot owners be required to meet with the City Forester
prior to release of building permits to convey information on best management practices
for tree preservation.
Howard Schneider moved to recommend approval of the Preliminary Plat and Tree
Survey for the Stagecoach Trail Subdivision subject to the plat stipulating that each
building permit must be reviewed and receive approval from the City Forester.
Karen Hartwell then raised concerns about preserving mature oak trees (from a former
fence line) that are growing along the proposed lot line between lot # 17 and #18. The
Developer Mr. Joe Niebler suggested that a deed restriction could be placed on the lots
containing those trees to assure their protection. Karen Hartwell then moved to amend
the motion on the floor to also recommend requiring placement of a deed restriction
on the plat for lots 17 and 18 to preserve all of the quality older trees that exist on
this former fence line. Alderman Melcher seconded the amended motion, and all
carried the motion.
Review conceptual subdivision Development Plan for Kologa Property. Tom Zagar
advised that this is a concept plan for property west of Hwy. OO and south of Priegel
Drive. The Developer seeks to do a planned development on the property and preserve a
significant area of open space on the western side. The City-owned Blattner Woods (a
land dedication just west of Boxhorn Reserve Subdivision) lies to the south of this
proposed outlot area and to the west the DNR is actively pursuing the possibility
purchasing lands to add to the Big Muskego Wildlife Area.
Chairman Pilak acknowledged the following people present for this issue and invited
them to speak: Steve Bruskiewicz, Blenda Treba and Paul Kologa. Mr. Bruskiewicz
presented the proposed layout to the Commission. He indicted that much of the 22-acre
outlot is buildable upland and it also includes 2 significant areas of wetland. He also
noted that the proposed storm water pond would be located within the outlot. He is
proposing to plant mesic prairie on this land and that it would remain under ownership of
a homeowners association and preserved with a conservation easement. He noted its
connectivity to the Blattner Woods and how it would preserve a large area of open space
in the neighborhood
Tom Zagar commented that he reviewed the proposal with Planning Department staff and
was supportive of the preservation of lands that abut other areas that are preserved and
likely to be preserved. He suggested that the easement give the City authority to perform
land management activities on the property. He noted, that if planted in prairie,
controlled burns would periodically be necessary to maintain its health. The Landscape
plan could address the specifications and requirements for the prairie establishment and
the easement would allow ongoing management.
Bill Miller moved to recommend approval of concept plan and that a conservation
easement be given to the City to allow land management in addition to assuring its
preservation. Seconded by Sharon Roy, motion carried.
Conservation Commission Meeting – January 22, 2007 – Page 3
OLD BUSINESS
Erosion control project on Holz Island/Little Muskego Lake – Nothing planned to be
done until weather permits a survey to be done.
Conservation Easement for the Ridges Conservation Lands Located in the SE ¼ of
Section 6 – No action.
Development of Engel Conservation Area – Wetland restoration work is 90%
rd
complete. January 23 will put in water control structure. Site will be seeded for 2007
growing season. Working to eliminate Buckhorn (invasive weeds). Controlled burns
planned for spring. Tom Zagar reported that the house continues to dilapidate and he is
leaning toward razing the structure. The cost of restoration, its isolated location, and that
it is likely undersized to serve as a future interpretive center collectively make it
imprudent to save the house. The driveway and parking lot need to be paved due to ruts
from cars doing “burners.”
Discuss recommendations for City of Muskego Conservation Plan Updates.
Tom Zagar noted that he is adding farmland preservation to the plan recommendations.
He asked if anyone had anything to add to the recommendations chapter. Karen noted
that public education component should be included to get the community behind
conservation planning. Len Pilak noted that public open houses were very helpful in the
process to restore Big Muskego Lake. Karen also listed invasive species control, and
pesticide & fertilizer use, as well as partnering with non-profit conservation organizations
and other governmental agencies for land preservation. She also suggested that a greater
portion of the landfill settlement fund be attributed to conservation efforts. Howard
suggested that the plan preserve lands that provide connectivity to other conservation
areas and parks.
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW –
Leonard showed the commission some of the best entries in the student art “contest” to
come up with a symbol to embody conservation in the City. He liked the simplicity of
one entry that showed a tree and water. He said top entries would receive a $50 prize
from an anonymous donor.
ADJOURNMENT – Karen Hartwell moved to adjourn, seconded by Alderman
Melcher, and carried by all.
Respectfully submitted,
Cathie M. Anderson
Transcribing Secretary