PLAN COMMISSION MEETING, November 13, 2024
The regular meeting of the Town Plan Commission for the Town of St. Croix Falls was called to order by Chairman Mike Dorsey at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at the Town Hall.  Proper notice was given as the notice was mailed on February 24, 2025; and published in the February 26, 2025, and March 6, 2025, editions of the Inter County Leader.  The agenda was posted at the town hall and on the town’s website March 7, 2025.  The Pledge of Allegiance was said.  Present by roll call were Chairman Mike Dorsey, members Jeremy Appel, Dave Berg, Rick Katzmark, and Frank Behning.  Members Stacy Bergmann, Gus Koecher and Kevin Rector were absent.  Also present were town clerk Janet Krueger and legal counsel Adam Jarchow.  Others present were Steve and Cherie Kotilinek, Jeff Engrav, Mike Erickson, Jim Gillis, Mike Robbin, Ken Kelly, David McClean, Daniel Hochberg, Susan Pope, Paul Heinrich, Ken Frost, Mark Nelson and Kay Stoller.

Katzmark/Berg moved to approve the agenda; motion carried.  Katzmark/Behning moved to approve the November 13, 2024, meeting minutes; motion carried.

No public comment was had.

Public Hearing – Property owner Mark Robinson requests to subdivide parcel #044-00084-0000, Section 4 located at 2196 180^th Avenue into three parcels.  The new parcel (Lot 2) consisting of 3 acres; a new parcel (Lot 3) consisting of 3 acres; and the remaining 34.39 acres as (Lot 1).  The public Hearing opened at 6:05 p.m.  Ms. Pope inquired on what was being proposed.  Mr. Heinrich inquired on accesses to the property.  The public hearing closed at 6:08 p.m.

Appel/Katzmark moved to recommend town board approval of the Robinson minor subdivision as presented; motion carried on a unanimous roll-call vote, 5-0.

Public Hearing – Agent Daniel Hochberg is requesting a special exception to operate a veterinarian clinic in a legal non-conforming structure due to the setback from the town road right of way at 2201 US Highway 8 and identified as parcel #044-00819-0000.  The public hearing opened at 6:14 p.m.  Mr. Engrav expressed concerns of another veterinarian clinic so close to existing clinics and believes this business will be a detriment to the community.  Mr. Kotilinek expressed concerns regarding the existing shared well.  Mr. Frost asked questions regarding the existing well and septic system and expressed concern for the new businesses client’s safety with the existing heavy traffic of delivery trucks to and from the neighboring businesses.  Mr. Hochberg stated his intentions of purchasing the property and leasing the property to Heartland Veterinary Partners.  Mr. McClean answered questions regarding proposed changes for parking and traffic flow along with intensions of drilling a new well; alterations proposed for the septic system; and alterations proposed to the structure.  Mr. Robbin, Heartland Veterinary Partners answered questions regarding the proposed business; and Ms. Stoller answered questions regarding the proposed business.  The public hearing closed at 6:50 p.m.

Berg/Behning moved to recommend town board approval of the special exception to Daniel Hochberg to operate a veterinarian clinic at 2201 US Highway 8 with the recommended standard conditions set forth in the report (“Any formal complaint lodged against the use in the first year of operation will lead to an automatic review of the special exception by the plan commission and/or town board at the next possible meeting”; “The special exception shall terminate upon the sale or transfer of ownership of either the parcel of land or the business itself except if the agent is a member, partner, officer, etc. with the organization purchasing the property”; “The special exception shall be contingent upon the agent’s organization purchasing the property”) and an additional condition that the ownership and use of this property including possibly drilling a new well does not interfere with the operation and use of the existing well; motion carried with a roll call vote, 4-1 (Yeas:  Appel, Behning, Berg, Dorsey; Nays:  Katzmark).

Public Hearing – Commercial Design site Plan is presented for approval for alterations to the current structure at 2201 US Highway 8 identified as parcel #044-00819-0000 which will exceed seventy-five (75%) percent of the equalized assessed value of the structure over a two year period.  The public hearing opened at 6:56 p.m.  No comments were made.  The public hearing closed at 6:56 p.m.  Appel/Berg moved to recommend town board approval of the commercial design site plan as presented; motion carried on a unanimous roll-call vote; 5-0.

There was no closing public comment.

There being no further business, Katzmark/Behning moved to adjourn the meeting; motion carried and the meeting was adjourned at 7:02 p.m.

Minutes prepared by Janet Krueger, town clerk.