Town of Bell Planning Commission meeting minutes
April 11, 2022
Meeting called to order at 4:05 p.m.
Commissioners present: Dave Tillmans, Greg Weiss, Jackie Eid
Community members present: Jayne Norton, Erin Hutchinson, Nancy Moye, Roger Lindgren, Kellie Pederson, Susan Keachie
Motion to approve minutes from April 11, 2022 by Dave Tillmans, 2nd Jackie Eid. Unanimous.
Updates/Correspondence: Change was made to the Permit and Variance Application Information #4. Jackie spoke with Bayfield County Zoning about this change and asked them to pass on the information to applicants. This was also posted on the Town website.
Also have 2 commissioner positions up this year. Call for nominations will be made at the April 19, 2022 Town Board meeting.
Scenic By Way: Roger Lindgren spoke with Mary Motiff. Last August the Town of Bell board supported the Scenic By Way and possible Visitors Center. In applying for a grant for a Visitors Center, improved restrooms, pay showers, exhibits, and relocation of the current museum will be considered. Deadline for the letter of intent is April 25, 2022 and June 20, 2022 the full grant application is due. Mary Motiff suggested hiring an engineer to design and come up with a budget.
Kellie Pederson, Community Development Educator: Kellie presented us with the results of the housing study that was done. Housing at a nation level, there is a nationwide housing crisis. Wisconsin is not keeping up as well as other states. Traditional economic development was centered around jobs/industry. That as started to change especially in this area. It was also found that renters were under represented. The study also showed that the median age is now 62 in the Town of Bell. From 2010-2019 only 11 rental units were constructed in Bayfield County. Kellie is going to forward the Town a link to the study so interested persons can review it.
Tkach Class A Special Use Short Term Rental: There was a brief discussion. Motion to approve by Greg Weiss, 2nd Jackie Eid. Unanimous
Short Term Rentals: There was much discussion. The replies to the brief survey that was sent electronically to area Towns that had a short term rental ordinance was pretty dismal. Only had one reply. We are going to try a by mail survey that will also have the town chairperson noted in hopes there will be a bit more of a response.
Sidewalk Ordinance: Tabled till May meeting.
May meeting date: Monday May 9, 2022 at 4:00 p.m.
Motion to adjourn by Greg Weiss, 2nd Dave Tillmans. Unanimous. Meeting adjourned at 5:48 p.m.