Town of Bell Plan Commission Meeting
November 7, 2024
Town of Bell Community Center
Meeting called to order at 3:58 PM.
In attendance: Jackie Eid, Ken Roman, Nancy Moye, John Anderson.
1. Review/Approve Prior Meeting Minutes: Anderson makes motion to approve October minutes as revised, seconded by Eid. Approved unanimously.
2. Updates/Correspondence:
a) Jody Hipsher has resigned from the Plan Commission, effective November 6, 2024. A copy of her resignation letter is appended here. Eid has informed Town Board Chair Matt Lazorik of the need to fill her vacancy. The Commission expresses gratitude to Hipsher for the unique perspectives she brought to the table and thanks her for her service.
b) Bayfield County’s Planning and Zoning Committee has denied Lacey Leuth’s Conditional Use Permit request to site a second structure on her property on Blueberry Lane for her personal residence. Leuth’s consultant, Rob Schierman, expressed disappointment to Eid about the fact that the Town’s recommendation was not heeded. They plan to appeal the County’s decision and are asking for the Town’s support in that endeavor. Anderson expressed disappointment that opponents of the CUP were able to sway the County based on blatant misinformation and that they felt comfortable impugning the integrity of the Plan Commission and Town Board in the process of doing so. Anderson will draft correspondence in support of Leuth’s appeal for collective consideration at the next meeting.
c) The Towns of Barnes, Cable, Drummond, Grand View, and Namakagon have announced their intentions to withdraw from Bayfield County’s Planning and Zoning regulations. Many questions exist regarding whether or not these Towns have fully considered the implications of going it alone and what the process of creating their own zoning ordinances will entail.
d) Bayfield County has announced it is undertaking a complete rewrite of its zoning code, to be completed sometime within the next 18 months.
3. Elect PC Secretary: Eid makes motion to elect Anderson Secretary, seconded by Roman. Motion approved 3-0-1 (Anderson abstains).
4. Elect PC Vice Chair: Roman makes motion to elect Moye Vice Chair, seconded by Eid. Motion approved unanimously.
5. Review of Comprehensive Plan: Members have until the December meeting to provide additional feedback on the current draft of the Plan. Roman recommends that the Commission formulate a timetable for the revision process at its December meeting.
6. December Meeting Date: Next meeting scheduled for Thursday, December 5, 2024 at 4:00 PM.
Motion to adjourn by Anderson, seconded by Moye, approved unanimously. Meeting concluded at 4:47 PM.