TOWN OF CONCORD PLAN COMMISSION MINUTES
February 28, 2024
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. with Plan Commission members Jim Gilbert, Sally Williams, Kim Miller, and Dave Wegner present. Lloyd Zastrow was absent.
The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Jim Gilbert made a motion for Sally to act as chair in the absence of Lloyd, second by Kim. Motion passed.
Sally Williams stated that the meeting had been properly posted.
Kim Miller made a motion to approve the minutes from January 24, 2024 meeting, second by Jim Gilbert. All approved. Motion passed.
Item 1: The Concord Inn (Jon Kohlmetz), W1240 Concord Center Dr. (pin 006-0716-1532-006), is seeking a variance to allow for an addition to an existing non-conforming structure located in the road right-of-way and for a reduced side yard setback.
The addition will update the building to make it ADA compliant, add a handicap entrance, larger ADA compliant bathrooms, and fire exists. The building footprint will not change, the addition will replace an existing roof over the basement on the east side of the building. Footings will be in the basement inside of the existing walls. The roof will be flat rubber roof with drain spouts carrying water out the back of the structure. The existing roof is .2” from the lot line, the new building addition will be 2’ from the lot line. The building plans have been approved by the state. Jon wants to make the building similar in appearance to the original which was a service station. The addition will have an overhead door at the front and the original service station sign will be placed out front. The existing window on the east side of building will remain to allow a view of patio from the bar.
About 9 citizens from the Concord hamlet area were present and none opposed the petition for variance.
Specific comments:
Jim Shuda of Lake County Heating and Cooling – in favor of petition
Nicole Metzger – in favor of petition
Nick Rouse, neighbor to the east, was not present but submitted a letter in opposition to the
petition for the following reasons: An addition closer to his property may increase the noise, it may
increase traffic, there is already not enough parking, increasing the size of the building may
increase the number of patrons and nuisance behaviors such as public urination, trespassing, off
premises alcohol consumption, and patrons leaving and getting in cars with open intoxicants. He
feels that the Concord Inn violates town ordinances which prohibit obstruction of roads, excessive
noise, and loitering.
Town Chair Ted Mueller would like to have any existing iron survey pipes exposed so that they are visible.
Jim Gilbert made a motion to approve the variance, second by Kim, all approved. Motion passed.
Item 2: Continued discussion of Town Ordinances Ch. 7. Sally received the following input from the Town’s Association attorney – “I don't know the full legislative history of this statute [349.11(1)(a)], but to the best of my knowledge the current language is about 50 years old, and prior to that all speed limit changes had to have state approval (not just those of more than 10 mph). If you're not sure whether an existing speed limit is valid, you could try contacting the DOT, though I'm not sure how far back their records of local changes go. But the safest bet would simply be to ensure that any town roads marked with lower speed limits are supported by a properly enacted ordinance (meaning you may have to perform traffic investigations on any roads where that wasn't previously done).” Based on this, the speed limit changes that have been made in the town are likely not valid as no traffic studies were done and many were not enacted by ordinance.
Sally will contact the state DOT, Jefferson County Highway Department, and sheriff’s department for further information and input.
We also still need a copy of the 2021 ATV ordinance. The ATV ordinance currently posted is from 2019. There were questions regarding whether or not our roads have been properly posted as open to ATVs. Signs should be placed at all roads that come into the town from another municipality. Glide Four Seasons Club had said they would place the signs. Rocky Butler will contact the club and report to Ted Mueller.
Town Ordinance Ch. 8 Public Works. No changes recommended for this chapter except for one pronoun change.
With no further business, Jim Gilbert made a motion to adjourn, second by Kim Miller. Meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Sally Williams, secretary