CITY OF RHINELANDER

PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Dick Johns, Joe Sturzl, Mark Pelletier, Russ Brown, Bill Freudenberg, Jim Leschke, and Sandra Bergman.

MEMBERS ABSENT: None

OTHERS PRESENT: Fire Chief Terry Williams, Administrator Blaine Oborn, Kelsey Hunter, Jim McLaughlin, Bill Cleveland, Brian Retzlaff, Mary Peter, Tom Peter, Dan Kuzlik, and Greta Dailey.

CALL MEETING TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by Chairman Dick Johns at 4:00 P.M., noting there was a quorum present to conduct business, the media had been properly notified and the agenda duly posted.

MINUTES FOR DECEMBER 20, 2011. MOTION BY LESCHKE/FREUDENBURG TO APPROVE MEETING MINUTES FROM DECEMBER 20, 2011. 6 AYE, 0 NAY, 1 ABSTAIN (BERGMAN), MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED.

NEW BUSINESS:

CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT – Discuss/Approve Conditional Use permit for James and Patricia McLaughlin, 818 Kurtz Road, Monico, WI., owner of property located at 5876 Hwy 8 West, Rhinelander, WI. (RH9011-0404), is requesting a Conditional Use Permit for the purpose of locating off premise signage on the property. McLaughlin explained that for many years he ran Beaver Builders, recently a caretaker to the property moved in and in the mean time a new company has been formed and would like to change the billboard to his new company; same size and same location for the sign; this would be off premise signage due to the fact that the new business will not be located specifically at this property. Bergman is against this off premise signage as she feels that this area would cause too much confusion as to where the business is. McLaughlin questioned that he is zoned in I-1 and 600’ away there is off premise signage; committee stated that billboards are no longer allowed in the City of Rhinelander; she feels that we need to stay strong in not granting off premise signage. Mayor questioned how long the signage has been there for; McLaughlin stated he would like to concentrate on his issue and what he needs to do to get his off premise signage allowed; Bergman stated she feels the committee needs to stay strong on this issue. MOTION BY BERGMAN/LESCHKE TO DENY CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR OFF PREMISE SIGNAGE BASED ON A PRESIDENCE THAT HAS BEEN SET FORTH BY THIS COMMISSION. McLaughlin stated that he will then pursue further issues; and he does not understand why he cannot change his sign. Brown questioned the signage that is on the airport property and Williams stated that he will check into the off-premise signage. 6 AYE, 1 NAY (MAYOR) MOTION TO DENY CARRIED.

CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT – Discuss/Approve Conditional Use permit for Brian Retzlaff, 4553 County P, Rhinelander, WI. 54501, agent for Eric Braden, 44 E. Birchwood Ave. Apt 1, Tomahawk, WI. 54487-2148, owner of property located at 5696 Hwy 8, Rhinelander, is requesting a Conditional Use Permit for the purpose of locating an electronics transfer station at the location. (RH9001-1201, Zoned I-2 Heavy Industrial) Williams explained that it is before the committee due to the fact that this is not an allowed use in the I-2 zoning. Retzlaff explained to the committee what his business is about and how it works. Bergman questioned if there will be signage on the semi; Retzlaff stated that they are rotating semi’s and are not always the same. Discussion took place regarding if a charge will be for customers, hours of operation, etc. Leschke questioned if there will be illegal type dumping; Retzlaff stated that he may have to install security measures and having concerns with a mess or excess debris; Bergman stated that we will not require any special requirements in the conditional use; suggested cameras, no dumping signs, etc. Mayor stated that if there are any questions or complaints, the City will contact Mr. Retzlaff regarding the issues. MOTION BY BERGMAN/FREUDENBERG TO APPROVE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO ALLOW FOR AN ELECTRONICS TRANSFER STATION WITH 24 HOUR OPERATION; MUST COMPLY WITH ALL STATE AND FEDERAL REGULATIONS; AREA IS POLICED ON A DAILY BASIS (KEPT CLEAN, ETC). 7 AYE, 0 NAY, MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED.

CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT – Discuss/Approve Conditional Use permit for Dan Kuzlik, 3571 County Road C, Rhinelander, WI. 54501, owner of property located at 315 S. Oneida Avenue is requesting a Conditional Use for the purpose of locating additional signage on the monument sign and on the building. (RH552; Zoned CB-Community Building District.) Kuzlik explained that there is an internally lit sign on the property; he would like to lift the existing sign to add 1 row of panels. Bergman questioned if the illumination was on an electric eye; Kuzlik stated that it was and is illuminated from dusk till dawn; Williams stated that is the one complaint that he has had is that it is on all night long. After discussion, it was agreed by Kuzlik that the sign would be turned off at 11:00 P.M. Leschke questioned was it that it was too bright or if it is because it is on; Williams stated that it boarders residential and the issue is that it is on all night. Mr. Peter, 304 S. Oneida, stated that he has complained in the past regarding the fact that the sign is on all night long and agreed that it would be nice if it went off at 11:00 P.M. MOTION BY FREUDENBERG/LESCHKE TO APPROVE ADDITIONAL MONUMENT SIGNAGE WITH THE ILLUMINATION BEING TURNED OFF AT 11:00PM. 7 AYE, 0 NAY, MOTION TO APPROVE THE ADDITIONAL MONUMENT SIGN AS SUBMITED.

Kuzlik stated that his new tenant would like to have a sign on the building 2’ X 12’7” in size; facing Grant Street; non-illuminated; Bergman stated that the current sign is very large and feels torn and does not want to put signs on the old buildings; feels that this is zoned CB to fit into the neighborhood. It was questioned that the sign would be made of painted wood; green in color with white letters. MOTION BY STURZL/PELLETIER TO APPROVE THE 2’X12’7” NON-ILLUMINATED SIGN ON THE BUILDING. 7 AYE, 0 NAY, MOTION TO APPROVED BUILDING SIGN CARRIED.

AIRPORT IMPROVEMENT AID - Approve Ratification of Resolution Petitioning the Secretary of Transportation for Airport Improvement Aid. MOTION BY BERGMAN/FRUEDENBERG TO APPROVE AIRPORT IMPROVEMENT AID. 7 AYE, 0 NAY, MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN – Housing Chapter 3, TABLED UNTIL NEXT MEETING.

MATTERS OF EMERGENCY/INFORMATIONAL NATURE: Williams stated that there is a property in town that has hazardous materials and feels that what they want to do can be done in a proper location in the City, just not where they currently are located and that he is working with them on this issue. The location is fireworks business on Kemps Street. Williams has ordered both Fire and Police Departments that the Fire Department will not be entering the building or putting water on the building, as this could cause an explosion; the main goal is to evacuate the area.

Williams stated that at the last meeting there was discussion regarding a watchman’s quarters for Mr. McLaughlins property and how that was approved and wants to know if they want this to come back to the committee for review or discussion. Williams stated it is not being used as a watchman’s quarters in his definition; this home is being used as a residential building, there is not a factory or a business located at the premise; Williams stated that both the Chief and Asst. Chief feel the same way about this issue. Discussion took place stating that it will be left as is for now and when other or further issues arise regarding the property; it will be addressed at that time.

FUTURE AGENDA REQUESTS AND MEETING DATE:

·  Wednesday, March 21, 2012 4:00PM City Hall – Leschke gone

·  Tuesday, April 17, 2012 4:00PM City Hall

·  Comprehensive Plan – Housing Chapter 3

ADJOURNMENT: MOTION BY STURZL/LESCHKE TO ADJOURN PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING FOR TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012 AT 5:30 PM, 7 AYE, 0 NAY, MOTION TO ADJOURN CARRIED.

APPROVED BY: ______RECEIVED BY: ______