May 5, 2025 Plan Commission Meeting Minutes

The May 5, 2025 regular Plan Commission meeting was called to order at 6:30pm at the town hall by Chair Fred Strand.

Members present: Duane Lahti, Margie Lahti, Sandy Rantala, Fred Strand, and Diana Reijo, clerk. Absent: Adam Mattson.

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

Motion by Margie Lahti, second by Sandy Rantala to approve the minutes of the April 7, 2025 regular board meeting as presented. Absent: Mattson. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.

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

*No community members registered at this time.

New Business:

Appointed Board Members:

Margie Lahti and Sandy Rantala were re-appointed for a three-year term expiring April 30, 2028.

Election of Officers:

Chairman:

Motion by Duane Lahti, second by Margie Lahti to nominate Fred Strand as chairman. Motion by Duane Lahti, second by Margie Lahti to close nominations and cast a unanimous ballot for Fred Strand as chairman. Absent: Mattson. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.

Vice-Chair:

Motion by Margie Lahti, second by Duane Lahti to nominate Sandy Rantala as vice-chair. Motion by Margie Lahti, second by Duane Lahti to close nominations and cast a unanimous ballot for Sandy Rantala as vice-chair. Absent: Mattson. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.

Request to Rezone a 1.36 Acre Parcel from AG-1 to Industrial in the NESE section 15, T48N-R9W, 73345 Muskeg Road

Rezoning application:

• A 1.36-acre parcel in Tax Id parcel 26819 in the NESE Section 15; 373345 Muskeg Road.

• Rezone from Agriculture-1 to Industrial.

• Stated purpose: to establish a butcher shop and with possible future retail sales.

• Owners: Marcus and Adrienne Halma

Findings:

• Parcel is zoned Agriculture-1

• Existing Land Use: Agriculture.

• Future Land Use: Agriculture.

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

• County Zoning ordinances only allow 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 a 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 Margie Lahti, second by Sandy Rantala to recommend approval to the town board to rezone Marcus and Adrienne Halma’s request from Ag-1 to Industrial as several items in the Town’s Comprehensive Plan support this proposal. Absent: Mattson. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.

Next meeting date/s:

Plan Commission regular meeting scheduled for Monday, June 2, 2025, beginning at 6:30pm at the town hall.

Adjournment:

Motion by Fred Strand to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 7:48pm.

Respectfully Submitted,

Diana Reijo, Clerk