October 6, 2026 draft minutes

Town of Townsend Planning & Zoning Committee Meeting Tuesday, October 6, 2026 The Comprehensive Planning Commission for the Town of Townsend was called to order at 5:00pm on Tuesday, October 6, 2026 by Chairman Dan DeMoulin Commission members present: Dan DeMoulin, Joanne Jones, Willie Evans, Dave Exferd, Linda Ziegler, Ed Robertson, Drew Zelle. Harry Smith, Gary & Beth Schmit Confirm proper posting of meeting notices: The notice was posted at the Townsend Town Hall, Laona State Bank, Townsend location, Townsend Post office and www.townsendwisconsin.org, on, September 29, 2026 and emailed to board members and additional copies were available at the meeting. Evans made the motion to approve the minutes from September 1, 2026 and 2nd by Robertson- M/A Land Division for Parcel #042-202004931I, Gary Schmit, 17903 Bluebird Ln. Smith explained that the Schmit’s would like to turn the shed on the north part of the parcel into a residence. The shed is all ready to finish as a dwelling, but the county prohibits two dwellings on the same parcel. Lot one will be 1.19 acres and Lot 2 at 1.18 acres. There are two septics and the well is shared. Building inspector Tom Smith has approved the dwelling plans. The south end of the road is 60ft wide. According to county specifications, the division would require a cul de sac at the south end ad additional road dedication to bring the road to 4-rod. The current driveway on the south end of Bluebird Lane runs into the dog kennel and septic, and would be impossible to put a bulb on the east side by the proposed lot line because the hill is too steep. Schmit said that he has cut trees so the snowplow can come down the road and turn around. The commission is concerned about the snow plowing and will discuss with the highway supervisor. The land division proposal meets the local ordinance standards. The proposal agrees with the town vision statement as found in the Town Comprehensive Plan. The proposal agrees with the town goals, objectives and development strategies as found in the Town Comprehensive Plan. Robertson made the motion to waive the requirement of the cul de sac, 2nd by Exferd – M/A Zelle made the motion to waive the requirement for additional road dedication on Bluebird Lane to Birch Circle, 2nd by Robertson – M/A DeMoulin recommends approval of the land division to the Town Board. Public Comment – N/A Other Business – Mason Property Inquiry (Parcel #042-333301912A)17288 E. Burnt Dam Road Owner: Mason Related Area: Small strip of land on Cassler Drive containing the Town boat dock and Fire Department dry hydrant. Ziegler reported that the Mason property at 17288 E. Burnt Dam Road, parcel #042-333301912A, includes a narrow strip of land extending onto Cassler Drive. This strip currently contains the Town boat dock and the Fire Department dry hydrant. In January 2025, the Town initiated a discussion with Oconto County Zoning to determine ownership of this portion of land. The County confirmed that the zoning was correct and recommended that the Town conduct a title search. At that time, the Masons indicated they would be willing to transfer title of the strip to the Town for $1,000.00. The Town did not pursue the matter further. In September 2026, Yvonne Mason contacted Ziegler seeking an update, stating she wished to remove the strip from her tax bill. Harry Smith stated that the strip of land was likely missed during the original division of the old 40-acre parcel many years ago. During his 2024 survey for the Inland Lakes Building located south of the Mason property, he discovered an error that resulted in 10 feet being removed from the Mason parcel. The Mason property is zoned 1 acre Residential and 9.25 acres Productive Forest Land, totaling 10.925 acres. Smith noted that he must verify whether the 0.06-acre strip is included within the adjusted Certified Survey Map (CSM). Smith outlined several options for the Town to consider: Do nothing and leave the parcel as currently recorded: Request an easement from the property owners to continue using the boat landing and dry hydrant: Survey the strip and have it dedicated to the Town and attach the strip to the Town’s existing parcel. Estimated fee to the Town: $230.00. Next meeting will be November 3, 2026 at 5pm if necessary Jones made the motion to adjourn at 5:35pm, 2nd by Evans – M/A