TOWN OF CONCORD PLAN COMMISSION MINUTES
January 23, 2019
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. with Lloyd Zastrow, Jim Gilbert, Sally Williams, Carole Hoffmeister, and Laura Callison present. Chairman Bill Ingersoll was also present.
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 November 28 meeting, second by Laura Callison. All approved. Motion passed.
Item 1: James & Kory Keller requested review and approval of a preliminary CSM to create a 1 acre A-3 lot from an 82 acre A-1 parent parcel on Hillside Dr. (parcel# 006-0716-3044-000). Jim Gilbert made a motion to recommend approval of the lot split and rezoning, second by Carole Hoffmeister. All approved. Motion passed.
Item 2: Hal and Scarlet E. Geiger requested approval to rezone a 3.0 acre A-1 parcel to A-2 at N5396 County Rd. P (parcel # 006-0716-3032-003). They are also requesting a conditional use permit to use the rezoned property for a banquet hall/ event facility (Wedding barn). This request was tabled from the November 28, 2018 meeting.
Three neighbors were present who spoke against the request. They were concerned about some of the issues they experienced with the weddings the past summer -noise, music, fireworks, excessive traffic, and buses parked in the roadway. They were also concerned with the potential for excessive alcohol use and large numbers of strangers coming into their community for these events. The neighbors stated they had moved to the country for peace and quiet.
One neighbor present spoke in favor of the proposal. She said everyone has parties which generate noise.
One neighbor present had significant concerns but would be supportive if there were enforceable restrictions on noise, duration, and frequency.
The owners stated that they would have a licensed bartender serving liquor and they didn’t think anyone had left prior events drunk. It would bring business into the community, they would keep the sound down and limit the time alcohol was served.
Eric Frommgen felt they should be required to seek a liquor license. Without that, the Town would have no control over the alcohol situation at the facility.
Lloyd Zastrow stated that the county couldn’t put restrictions on this facility over and above what they require of other wedding barns in the county.
Jim Gilbert said he had talked to 7 neighbors and all but one were opposed to the proposal. The proposal is also contrary to the Town Plan which states that the Town would limit the establishment of new business to the hamlet.
Sally Williams stated that while the County Zoning Office indicated that the Town could use their discretion in evaluating the proposal, the request did not fit with the zoning ordinance. The request is for rezoning and a conditional use permit according to Zoning Ordinance 11.04(f)7.eee - an event facility - which is a conditional use associated with the adaptive reuse of a barn. According to the ordinance: “These conditional uses are associated with adaptive reuse of barns as defined in the ordinance. Existing pre-1970 barns with a limitation for additions of no more than 25 percent of the existing footprint and no more than 25 percent replacement, modification or repair of existing structural members.” Based on Mr. Geiger’s description, the events are primarily held in a newer 7000sf pole building. Additionally, the pre 1970 barn on the property has had significant additions totaling well over 25% of its original footprint.
Jim Gilbert made a motion to deny the request for rezoning and a conditional use permit, second by Sally Williams. Sally, Jim, Laura, Lloyd approved. Carole abstained. Motion passed.
Item 3: Anfang Properties LLC (Tom Anfang) was on the agenda for review and approval of a preliminary CSM to rezone 8.9 acres from A-1 to A-2 for agricultural use. Parcel address is N4932 County Road P (parcel # 006-0716-3143-002). No one appeared to represent Mr. Anfang. The request will be put on the agenda for the February meeting.
Item 4: Carole Hoffmeister requested review and approval of a preliminary CSM to rezone 5 acres of an 18 acre A-1 parcel at W583 Allen Rd. to Natural Resource for sale to a neighboring property. The parcel to be rezoned is heavily wooded and is wetland. Sally Williams made a motion to recommend approval of the rezoning, second by Laura Callison. Sally, Jim, Laura, Lloyd approved. Carole abstained. Motion passed.
With no further business, Sally Williams made a motion to adjourn, Second by Laura Callison. All approved. Meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Sally Williams, secretary