CONCORD TOWN PLAN PUBLIC INPUT MEETING

March 24, 2022

Present: Larry Oliverson (steering committee chair), Dale Konle (Town Chair), Kim Miller, Sally Williams (minute taker), 35 citizens signed the attendance sheet.

Larry Oliverson chaired the meeting and began with an overview of the Town Plan. He described the Comprehensive Plan as a legal document which must be updated every 10 years. It provides a framework for town ordinances and zoning decisions which must be consistent with the town plan. As such, it protects the town against law suits and provides for equal treatment. The town has hired a consulting firm, MSA, to assist with the update of the plan.

Kim Miller gave an update on some questions regarding the legal status of the town plan. Recently, the county zoning administration decided that the county is not obligated to follow the town plan but should follow the town board decision. This came up in discussions about the proposal to build 10 storage barns on Highway B, which conflicts with our town plan but was approved by the town board. This is a concern because if this decision by the county zoning administration is correct, it affects the enforceability of the town plan.

 

DISCUSSION OF THE ELEMENTS

Issues & Opportunities Element

Larry Oliverson described the Issues and Opportunities element. It sets the tone for what community wants. Citizens were asked why they moved to Concord and what they like about it. The consensus among those present was that they like the town the way it is.

What people like about the town includes the following: rural atmosphere, simplistic life style, close to amenities in surrounding communities, lower taxes, hunting, open country, out of hustle and bustle, peaceful, lack of development

What people are concerned about: Would lose sense of community with too much commercial development, development of windmills and solar energy, one person expressed a desire for splitting more lots for children – otherwise likes rural area. Another individual agreed with this comment but was willing to sacrifice more splits to keep Concord rural.

Dale Konle presented graphs to show that more development does not necessarily lower taxes for the town.

Agricultural Resources Element

Discussion of lot splits – explanation by Sally Williams regarding how lot splits are currently determined. The county will allow 3 splits on non-prime land while Concord only allows 2. This doesn’t come into play very often as most of the land in the town is prime.

Those present were asked if they want to continue limiting non-prime lot splits. The overwhelming majority were in favor of this. A concern was voiced that people move out here and buy a residential lot and then want to tell farmers they can’t split their land.

Discussion of Agricultural Business zoning (A-2). Both the town and county have to approve petitions to rezone a parcel. Once a parcel is rezoned, a conditional use permit can be granted even if the town does not approve it though the county does ask for town input. The county sets and enforces the conditions for conditional use permits. Citizens were asked what criteria they would like to see for business development on agricultural land. Responses included a desire to limit noise, traffic, visual effects, effects on air quality and groundwater, waste disposal. There was concern that often these businesses are developed by people who do not live in the town and they do not care what effect they have on those living here.

There was a brief discussion on CAFOs and solar farms. While these developments can have a significant impact on the quality of life of town residents, neither the town nor the county have a say as to whether such development can occur in the town.

Economic Development

Business development in the town currently occurs as home occupations, in community zoning in the hamlet area, in A-2 zoning throughout the town.

The town plan currently limits new business development (other than home occupations) to the hamlet area.

Hamlet expansion: Those present were asked if there was a desire to expand the hamlet to accommodate more development. The overwhelming majority said no. One person indicated a possible desire to expand the hamlet.

Business in the hamlet: There was a discussion as to what types of business citizens would like to see in the hamlet. Input included no more storage facilities, more home occupations, small service businesses that serve the community but do not bring in a lot of traffic (daycare, hair salon, etc), small scale business (need to define small scale)

Home occupations: There was a discussion as to what criteria should be in place for home occupations. Input included putting restrictions on noise, hours of operation, traffic, visual effects, waste disposal & burning, water usage, runoff, waste removal, traffic loading on roads. There was consensus that limiting nuisance factors would be more important than limiting business size.

Land Use

This element contains a summary of existing land use and trends. It also identifies areas of future business growth. Issues in this element include lot splits, A-2 zoning, and hamlet development and expansion. These issues were included in the discussions above.

Adjourn