8-6-26 Planning Commission Mtg Minutes

August 6, 2026 A meeting of the Plan Commission of the City of Eagle River was called to order at 5:00pm by Mayor Deb Brown. Roll Call: Mary Horant, Brad Adamovich, Kim Schaffer, Adam Grassl, and Deb Brown. Alex Forer began the first five minutes of meeting via Zoom before arriving to meeting at 5:05pm. Also in attendance Robin Ginner, Becky Bolte, and Mike Sanborn. Absent: John Hletko Motion by Horant, 2 nd by Schaffer to approve the minutes of the 7-2-2026 meeting. Carried, all. a) Easement Request: Request by River Trail Commission/Great Headwaters Trail Foundation for a Recreational Easement, Tax Parcel 221-187, Commencing at the Northeast Corner of Government Lot 2 of Section 32, Township 40 North Range 10 East, thence South on the East 1/8th line of said Section 32 to the intersection of the North line of the County Road; thence West along the North line of said County Road 4 rods; thence North and parallel with, and 4 rods distant from said 1/8th line, to the shore line of Eagle River at low water mark; thence Northeasterly along the shore of said Eagle River to the intersection with said 1/8th line which is the PLACE OF BEGINNING. Wisconsin Stat. § 62.22(1m) expressly authorizes a city's governing body to acquire and convey easements and other limited property interests for public purposes. Jeff Curtin was present as a GHT volunteer and answered questions including clarification that the easement being presented is only for the city owned pumphouse property. Mike Sanborn of Eagle River Light and Water and Brad Adamovich, DPW Foreman, expressed concerns with utility maintenance causing damage to paved trail and wanted solid confirmation that ERLW / City would not be financially responsible for any repair of disturbed asphalt. Sanborn requested that the easement be written to protect the city for possible future expansion at the pumphouse and not limit ERLW from future use/development. Discussion on DOT requirement of city responsibility for snow removal from trail if located on DOT right of way. Commission requested a copy of the DOT letter stating DOT would not require the city to do snow removal from trail located in DOT right of way. Discussion. Information presented to Commission was not sufficient to make a decision. Ginner recapped information needed before bringing back to Commission; confirm all utility easements, get final easement land description, corrected property description, check if any easements are secondary easements and if they can overlap, clarify that ERLW and COER not subject to repair of any asphalt on any and all easements for the trail, DOT snow removal requirements with written waiver from DOT, map to be provided to Commissioners of all city utilities. Motion by Grassl, 2 nd by Horant to postpone until such time that Commission is able to be provided with an accurate easement description and other requested items. Carried, all. b) Discussion Only: Rezoning of properties in the city where stormwater drainage and flooding issues exist Kim Schaffer presented that with the storm water management concerns brought up with the CUP application from U-Haul, an ordinance review should be done to mitigate the problem with possible zoning code update for areas with known stormwater drainage issues. Discussion. Ginner to investigate storm water management and bring back possible solutions to Commission in September along with proposed ordinance change to remove storage units from Hwy Comm, to be allowed only in Industrial. c) Discussion regarding Detachment from the City of Eagle River: Tuff Parcel #221-1058-5801, 1020 Elm Drive, SE-SE, Sect. 33, T40N, R10E, PRT SE SE. Tuff is offering city an easement to connect two drainage channels on his property for draining Commerce Loop in exchange for detachment from the City of Eagle River. Discussion. Existing easements and deeds to be located and provided to Commission. Ginner to bring back to Commission in September. Motion by Horant, 2 nd by Forer to adjourn at 6:21PM. Carried, all.