Council votes down C-2 zoning change

The Sheboygan Falls Common Council denied a motion to add churches to the city’s C-2 commercialzoning ordinance, during a semimonthly meeting Tuesday, June 1, at the City Hall Municipal Building.

Pastor John Putnam submitted the request to amend the city’s commercial-zoning code in an effort to allow the Pentecostals of Sheboygan County Church to move from its current location at 621 Broadway St. to the Plankview Green Retail Center, off State 32.

The request to change the C-2 zoning district to include churches, and other places of worship, came before the council upon the recommendation of the Plan Commission, which approved the zoning alteration by a 5-1 vote Tuesday, May 25.

During the June 1 meeting, Alderman Terry Van Engen expressed concern about changing the city’s commercial zoning code.

“I don’t think we are looking at this the right way,” Van Engen said. “By making this a permanent allowed use, I think this could open the flood gates for non-profit developments in commercial districts.

“To me, that would not be beneficial to the city,” he said. “As a council, we work hard to provide opportunities for business development, which in turn helps keep property taxes down. If we pass this, a lot of that work could go for nothing. I don’t want to see us blaze a trail by altering the ordinance.”

Van Engen added that he would be in favor of considering special-use requests for specific projects.

“I’m not saying a church could never be located in a commercial district,” he said. “I think the council should reserve the right to decide on these type of requests on a case-by-case basis by considering special uses.”

Alderman Randy Messner agreed with Van Engen’s assessment of the zoning change.

“Once you change the code to include churches and non-profits, the council loses some of its teeth to say ‘no’ to a project,” Messner said. “The council will lose control.”

Alderman Duane Glancey said the location of churches in commercial districts is not uncommon in the city.

“We already have several churches in commercial zones,” he said. “I don’t think this would be that much different than what we already have at a few locations in the city.”

City Clerk-Treasurer Joel Tauschek noted the fact that the city’s recently approved Smart Growth Plan does not include provisions for churches in commercial districts.

“We do have three churches that are currently located in C-2 zoning districts,” he said. “Those churches were either grandfathered in or approved with a special-use permit.

“However, there were not any provisions made for churches in the Smart Growth Plan.”

Alderman Thomas McCue said the council should make a decision based upon the future prosperity of the city.

“We need to take the current request out of the picture and decide what is best for the city in the future,” he said.

Following a roll-call vote, the motion was denied by a 5-1 margin.

Glancey cast the lone vote in favor of the zoning amendment, with Van Engen, Messner, McCue, Anne Krauter and Dawn Beimel voting in opposition to the motion.

Mayor Randy Meyer said a Committee of the Whole meeting would be scheduled in the next few weeks to discuss special uses of property in commercial-zoning districts.

In other business, Rick LeMahieu of Aecom Technical Services Inc. spoke to the council about the progress of the city’s Non-Motorized Transportation Bike and Pedestrian Pilot Program plan.

He outlined the pending status of several specific projects for the construction of bike lanes, walking paths and bridges throughout the city.

“We have a couple of things we are still waiting on from the state,” LeMahieu said. “We need to get permits for a couple of wetland areas and pursue real-estate purchases in some portions of the project.”

LeMahieu also discussed upcoming meetings regarding easement requests

“We have eight meetings scheduled with property owners for easements,” he said. “We can’t fit all of the projects within the city’s right of way, so a few permanent and temporary limited easements are necessary to complete some of the work.”

He informed the board about the anticipated timeline for the project.

“We are hoping to submit the plan to the state in November and bid out the work in February 2011,” LeMahieu said. “If all goes as planned, we could start work the spring of next year.

“We are fighting through a few challenges right now, but we should be on track soon,” he said. “The state DOT [Department of Transportation] is insisting that we submit the entire project at one time. That is why we have not moved ahead with some parts of the project that are ready to go.”

The council approved an amended Non-Motorized Bike and Pedestrian Pilot Program contract among the city of Sheboygan Falls, state of Wisconsin and Aecom Technical Services, to include an additional fee of $29,914.13.

Krauter said the fee is covered by the Non-Motorized Program grant and will come at no cost to the city.

The council also approved Ordinance No. 1 2010/2011 establishing land divisions other than subdivision.

It also approved a certified survey map, allowing Torginol Inc. to purchase a portion of Corvette Sports in the Sheboygan Falls North Industrial Park.

The council granted the purchase of a 16,000-pound, tri-axle GVWR trailer at a price not to exceed $3,500. The trailer replaces a vintage 1972 trailer that has encountered brake problems recently.

The council also granted Alliant Energy the authority to complete an electric distribution model/study at a cost of $29,564.69.

“This is something Dave Schmitz from Alliant discussed with the council the last time he was here,” Tauschek said. “I think everyone was in agreement that this should be done to facilitate strategic future planning.”

A school/travel request for Municipal Court Clerk Kathryn Stange to attend a Titan Public Safety Solutions User Group meeting in Wisconsin Dells on June 3 was approved.

In Public Health and Welfare Committee business, the council approved operator-license applications for Mark V. Bunecky and Jenna L. Gebauer.

An electrical-contractor license application was also granted to Wally Daggett.

Meyer announced that the city recently hired Kale Rortvedt to fill an apprentice linemen position. The next Sheboygan Falls Common Council meeting is scheduled Tuesday, June 15, at 6:30 p.m., in the Council Chambers at the City Hall Municipal Building.