TOWN OF CONCORD PLAN COMMISSION MINUTES
August 22, 2018
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. with Lloyd Zastrow, Jim Gilbert, Sally Williams, and Laura Callison present. Carole Hoffmeister was absent.
The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Sally Williams stated that the meeting had been properly posted.
Jim Gilbert made a motion to approve the minutes from the July 25, 2018 meeting, second by Laura Callison. All approved. Motion passed.
Item 1: Howard Loeb requested review and approval of a CSM to separate his farm at W750 Hwy 18 and W778 Hwy 18 into 2 separate farms. One farm would include parcel #’s 006-0716-3531-001 and 006-0716-3521-001. The other farm would include parcel #’s 006-0716-3531-000 and 006-0716-3532-000. The parcels were originally 2 separate farms when purchased in the 1960’s. They have been farmed together since that time and the county now recognizes them as one farm. Mr. Loeb would like to separate them for sale as individual farms.
Item 2: The committee discussed enacting an ordinance to guide the siting of solar farms. A 2000-3000 acre solar farm is being proposed for the Towns of Concord, Ixonia, Farmington, and Watertown. The project would generate 300 MW of electricity and would be permitted through the State Public Service Commission.
Sally Williams talked to Towns Association Attorney Jan Charette. She did not think the Town had the authority to pass a solar ordinance because we do not have zoning authority but she was unsure. Sally will follow up with a further contact suggested by Ms. Charette. Due to the size of the project and lack of local control it is unclear how much if any input the towns will have. Sally Williams will work on a draft of an ordinance. Some areas of concern to be addressed would be as follows: Tree removal, grading, drainage maintenance, setbacks, screening, decommissioning, road bonding, noise, EMF, radio & communications & TV interference.
Our ordinance could be used as a guide to give to the county as to what restrictions the Town of Concord would like to see as part of the CUP.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Sally Williams, secretary