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Home My WebLink About2022 Comprehensive Planning Committee - Minutes - 10/4/2023 1 Bayfield County Clerk Lynn M. Divine, County Clerk Jeran Delaine, Deputy Clerk Paige Terry, Clerk III Ph: 715.373.6100 ● Fx: 715.373.6153 ● Email: Lynn.Divine@bayfieldcounty.wi.gov ● 117 E. Fifth Street, PO Box 878, Washburn, WI 54891 DRAFT Minutes of the: Comprehensive Planning Committee Meeting October 4, 2023 10:00 a.m. Meeting Held in the Bayfield County Board Room, Courthouse Building, Washburn, WI & Remotely The meeting of the Comprehensive Planning Committee was called to order at 10:01 a.m. by Committee Chairman, Steve Sandstrom. Members Present: Paige Terry, Ben Dufford, Steve Probst (on behalf of Jason Bodine), Bob Anderson, Ruth Hulstrom, Mark Abeles-Allison, Emily Nelson, Steve Sandstrom, Megan Mader, Keith Koenning, Cole Rabska, Kellie Pederson, Melis Arik (on behalf of Nicole Boyd), Mary Dougherty Members Excused: Jim Crandall, Lynn Divine, Douglas Smith, Jason Bodine, Nicole Boyd, Jason Laumann, and Charly Ray Others Present: Kim Bro- Town of Washburn Planning Commission, Fred Strand- Bayfield County Board Vice-Chair, Bill Bussey- Leader of the Chequamegon Chapter of the Citizens’ Climate Lobby, Beth Gehred, Jeff Silbert- Bayfield County Board Supervisor District 6 Introductions: Introductions of the committee members were made. 10:03 a.m. – Mary Dougherty joined the meeting. Public Comment: Bill Bussey, Leader of the Chequamegon Chapter of the Citizens’ Climate Lobby, informed the committee that he previously submitted a comment proposing additional language to the introduction of the Comprehensive Plan and was curious if the committee had received the comments. Sandstrom stated that he would address the question later on in the agenda when the committee reviews submitted comments. Discussion and Possible Action, Minutes August 30, 2023: Motion by Abeles-Allison, seconded by Rabska to approve the minutes from the August 30, 2023, Comprehensive Planning Committee as amended. Motion carried. Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Comments Received via the Open Houses/Listening Sessions: Nelson noted that three open houses were held in the month of September with the Northwest Regional Planning Commission being present at the first session held in the Bayfield County Board Room on September 13. Nelson reviewed a few changes that have been made that include updating the name of the Bayfield Regional Conservancy to the Landmark Conservancy, adding a table listing the town desired minimal lot sizes, and a revised introduction to the Comprehensive Plan. Sandstrom read the revised introduction to the committee and reviewed two additional documents with the committee; “Systems-Thinking in Comprehensive Planning” and “Sustainable Community Development.” Abeles- Allison recommended the word “must” in the last sentence in the second paragraph of Sandstrom’s introduction revision be re-phrased to read “sustainability practices will benefit by elected official support in the decades to come." The committee discussed where to place the comments that were received by Bill Bussey in the plan. No other comments on where the other two documents should be placed. Abeles-Allison and Bro reported that the Chair for the Town of Iron River raised concerns regarding the impacts that ATVs have on the community roads that have been opened for ATV travel. 2 Rabska reported that the Town of Kelly expressed confusion regarding the future mapping exercise and stated the town had concerns on maintaining agricultural lands. Hulstrom asked what the determined course of action was if a Town does not submit a future land use exercise map. Nelson informed the committee that every town did submit a future land use map, but the committee determined that, should a town not submit a future land use map, the existing land use map would be used instead. The question was raised if a town would be able to do a mass rezone during the comprehensive plan update process. Bro explained that the comprehensive revision of the zoning code would be an appropriate time for a mass revision of the zoning map. Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Comprehensive Plan Finalization: The committee reviewed each of the public comments received. The committee agreed on the following changes: • The figure on page 2-1 in the housing section should be changed to read “a 37.3% increase in the 40-year period.” • The figure on page 2-2 pertaining to the change between 2010 and 2020 be changed to a 1.8% increase. • Remove the word "proper” from the phrases “proper design guidelines” and “proper preservation standards.” • Replace the phrase “life cycles” with “lives” in the vision statement of the housing section. • Review Mark’s sentence on BART. • The introduction of the comprehensive plan be changed to read: “The Bayfield County Comprehensive Plan is a broad, policy-driven document that looks at key elements which impact residents, visitors, the environment, and natural resources. It is a visionary blueprint for our community’s future that places sustainability, systems-thinking, and climate change resilience at its core. This document was created to allow future readers to see Bayfield County as a place that connects the past with the present. Since the development of the last Comprehensive Plan, communities across the state of Wisconsin, nation, and world have recognized the urgent need to address climate variability and its impacts on communities and infrastructure. In an era where the challenges of our time demand bold and forward-thinking solutions, Bayfield County is committed to charting a course that not only preserves our unique natural beauty and cultural heritage but also paves the way for a vibrant, equitable, and resilient future. While the support, promotion, and review of each element of the Bayfield County Comprehensive Plan is critical to capturing a “return on investment”, sustainability is one element that must be tied to each of the others. Sustainability is cornerstone element that is interwoven throughout this document. For Bayfield County to preserve its natural beauty and create new jobs based upon promotion of alternative energy sources, sustainability practices will benefit from support by elected officials in the decades to come. Bayfield County supports activities that promote sustainable practices in the protection, preservation, development, enhancement, and maintenance of its natural and built environments, while supporting the pursuit of activities that enhance the community and economic vitality without compromising the needs of future generations. In recognition of the need to address the climate crisis at all levels of government, Bayfield County establishes a goal of achieving net- zero carbon emissions from all county government operations by 2040 and reducing carbon emissions from all sources in the county to net-zero by 2050. Goals and objectives to accomplish this overall goal are included in a number of elements of the plan. Our dedication to sustainable community development and the understanding of how all plan elements are part of an interconnected system will guide us toward a thriving, climate-resilient, and harmonious tomorrow.” • The remaining of Bill Bussey’s comments be placed in the Issues & Opportunities section. • Changing the photos on the first page of the document to include other areas of the county that do not focus on the northern part of the county. • Make sure the Planning & Zoning Department is referred to consistently throughout the plan. 3 Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Resolution Recommending Adoption of the Bayfield County Comprehensive Plan 2023-2043: Motion by Rabska, seconded by Koenning to approve Resolution No. Comp-2023-01 Recommending Adoption of the Bayfield County Comprehensive Plan 2023-2043 along with all the previously discussed changes to the final plan. Motion carried. Resources Thank you for your service! Adjournment: There being no further business to come before the Bayfield County Comprehensive Planning Committee, Chairman Sandstrom adjourned the meeting at 11:50 a.m. Respectfully submitted, LYNN M. DIVINE Bayfield County Clerk LMD/pat