25 07 07 Plan Commission Meeting Minutes

The July 7, 2025 Plan Commission regular board meeting was called to order at 6:30pm at the town hall by Chair Fred Strand.

Members present: Duane Lahti, Margie Lahti, Adam Mattson, Sandy Rantala, Fred Strand, and Diana Reijo, clerk. Absent: None.

Motion by Duane Lahti, second by Sandy Rantala to approve the agenda as printed and posted. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.

Motion by Sandy Rantala, second by Margie Lahti to approve the minutes of the May 5, 2025 regular board meeting as presented. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.

Community Members as Pre-Registered – Oral and/or Written.

*No community members registered at this time.

New Business:

Marcus & Adrienne Halma’s Conditional Use Application Request Conditional Use Permit application:

• A 1.36-acre parcel in Tax Id parcel 26819 in the NESE Section 15; 37345 Muskeg Road

• Zoned - Industrial

• Stated purpose: to construct and operate an Abattoir (Slaughter House) for custom butcher shop

• Owners: Marcus and Adrienne Halma

Findings:

• Parcel is zoned Industrial

• Existing Land Use: Agriculture.

• Future Land Use: Agriculture.

• The owners want to establish a butcher shop with possible future retail sales.

• County Zoning ordinance only allows butcher shops (also known as slaughter houses or abattoir) in Industrial zoning districts

• Butcher shops are a needed local service. There are only a few butcher shops in northern Wisconsin, which requires residents to reserve butchering time months in advance and to travel long distances for butchering services.

• Several items in the Town’s Comprehensive Plan supports this proposal, including:

  • Development of small business

  • Development of businesses that are complimentary for local agriculture producers and hobby farmers

  • Expansion of local services

  • Increase tax base

  • Encourages farm production and maintenance of working agriculture lands

Motion by Duane Lahti, second by Adam Mattson to recommend approval to the town board Marcus & Adrienne Halma’s Conditional Use Permit Request as supported by the findings and with the following conditions: 1) No change in the permit application proposal is allowed without review by the Town Plan Commission and by the Town Board, and 2) The Town may periodically review the Conditional Use Permit to assure compliance with the permit conditions and the Town’s Comprehensive Plan. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.

Next meeting date/s:

Plan Commission regular meeting scheduled for Monday, August 4, 2025, beginning at 6:30pm at the town hall.

Adjournment:

Motion by Fred Strand to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 6:42pm.

Respectfully Submitted,

Diana Reijo, Clerk