Meeting Minutes

TB (5) TPC (5) Clerk (1) File (1) Email: Town Administrator; Assistant Administrator; Clerk; Deputy Clerk; La Pointe Shop 5:00 pm, May 20th, 2026 at Town Hall https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85817354068?pwd=WWY4REFXZ3dLaVROQXlMOWV3WVB4dz09 Members Present: Chair Paul Wilharm, Charles Brummer, Jim Peters, Suellen Soucek, Aimee Baxter Staff Present: ZA Richard M Kula, TA Max Imholte, STRA Katey Abbott Public Present: See attached Sign in Sheet; Alex Haecker, Heidi Lahm-Huber and David Ehlen via Zoom I. Call to Order/Roll Call – PWilharm called the meeting to order at 5 pm. He thanked everyone for attending and let everyone know that copies of the DRAFT Final Zoning Ordinance Re-Write was available on the front table for anyone that would like to review it as we go through it. II. Overview of Process – RKula thanked everyone that was in attendance in person and online and he thanked everyone that has provided comments. RKula provided an overview of the process including the last public hearing, the three listening sessions conducted in September and October 2025 and the development of the DRAFT Final document for review and comment tonight. RKula also indicated that the DRAFT Final document has to go through Legal Review and Town Board Review/Approval. a. Town Conducted a Public Hearing on September 3rd, 2025 b. In response to Community Interest; Town Conducted 3 additional Question & Answer Sessions i. September 24, 2025 – Section 1 through 5 ii. October 8, 2025 – Sections 6 through 10 iii. October 29, 2025 – Sections 11 through 16 c. Town Reviewed and Discussed Comments Received from Community d. 2nd Public Hearing Tonight e. Before enacted, the Final Zoning Ordinance Re-Write still has to go through Legal Review and Town Board Review/Approval. III. Public Discussion/Comments on DRAFT Zoning Ordinance – PWilharm kicked off the discussion session by noting that there were a lot of people in attendance that night in regards to Healing Motion and wanted to start with them first. Ken Myhre indicated that while they don’t have a comment today about a specific revision in the work that the TPC has done with the Zoning Ordinance Re-Write, he appreciates the work that the TPC has done for well over a year. He does have a related concern. It is in regards to something that serves the Island and guests well. Town of La Pointe Public Hearing Zoning Re-Write Meeting Minutes TB (5) TPC (5) Clerk (1) File (1) Email: Town Administrator; Assistant Administrator; Clerk; Deputy Clerk; La Pointe Shop He submitted a proposal for solving a very unusual situation for Healing Motion. There was an original Conditional Use Permit for a home business that was granted by the Town Board four years ago. Over the past years quite a few have provided exercise and wellness programs for Island residents and guests to compliment the work of the La Pointe Clinic for patients of the clinic that need to improve their strength and balance. They would like to ensure that Healing Motion is able to provide those services as far into the future as Island residents want and need. But the current Zoning ordinance requires that it be sited on the same parcel as their primary residence. While they will probably not own that parcel far into the future, the odds of the future owners wanting to operate Healing Motion are slim. Therefore they are proposing to site Healing Motion on its own parcel to ensure its long time viability. Today they are submitting a proposal to the TPC that would permit the continued operation of their lawful home business in the S-1 district after a division of their existing lot. This would allow it to continue to operate without broadly opening the S1 district to a standalone commercial business. The hope is for TPC to support a recommendation to the Town Board when they formally submit that request as a new CUP in the near future. Mr. Myhre submitted their proposal in writing to the TPC group. There was a comment by Paul Brummer that it sounded like spot zoning and since the property owner agreed to the CUP originally, shouldn’t they abide to the conditions of the original CUP? There are other different zones in that general area; the airport and light industrial are examples. A map change is something that would be looked at. There was a comment by David Ehlen how we shouldn’t put a commercial facility in a residential area as in the past (Leona’s and Bud’s Oasis) that type of operation has been disruptive. A comment was made by Margie Frederikson that Healing Motion has been an important asset in our community, especially the older residents. It should be valued and continued. Gina Eoloff, another health care provider in the community, commented that Healing Motion is important for the entire community, not only for physical fitness, but for the mental health of Island, especially during the winter months when outdoor activities are limited. It would be detrimental to the community to not allow it to continue. George Haecker stated that the purpose of this meeting isn’t to discuss and resolve an individual zoning request or CUP. We are getting into the weeds. We could spend an hour on this topic alone. A resident who recently had back surgery has used the Center to help him learn to walk again. It is an important facility. Sheila Weir asked about the type of industry or business that is on the parcel; could there be limitations on the hours or some sort of condition that prevents it from TB (5) TPC (5) Clerk (1) File (1) Email: Town Administrator; Assistant Administrator; Clerk; Deputy Clerk; La Pointe Shop becoming something else. Charlie Brummer answered that hours of operation could be considered and the property owner would have to go through the CUP process. Glenn Carlson prepared and submitted a written set of comments that he read. He thanked the TPC for their efforts as a complete top to bottom zoning ordinance re- write is not easy work. It requires countless hours of meetings, discussion, research, revisions, and balancing competing objectives. He wants to thank the TPC Team, Rich Kula, Town Staff and all others who have contributed their time and expertise. Their effort deserves recognition and appreciation. Glenn has two recommendations tonight. The first is to increase the size of the TPC from 5 members to 7 members. They work issues that can have significant long-term consequences for the Town, for property owners and future development. Increasing the number of members would provide a larger pool of experience and viewpoints. The second item is to set deadlines on a land use or CUP application. Missing those deadlines keeps owners in limbo with no recourse. Applicants should have a clear path to approval, approval with conditions or denial. Without action, a proposed action could potentially remain unresolved indefinitely. His recommendation was that if the planning commission does not act by a deadline and the applicant does not agree to an extension, the application should be deemed denied for an opportunity for an appeal. Paul Brummer prepared and submitted a written set of comments that he also read. He prepared some additional thoughts in addition to the comments he submitted in September 2025. The definition of campground wasn’t kept to no more than one camping unit as suggested before. Regarding dwelling accessory, garage/shop space being included in the square footage calculation wasn’t added. Glamping is still a definition, why? Boarding houses, dormitories, and education facilities are still listed in the W-2 zone. W-2 is a low-density zone. We will still have the same problems in a mixed use zone as he outlined in his September 2025 comments. Anyone that doesn’t understand zoning will think mixed use is the same as a C-1 commercial zone, and it is not. Mixed use serves the community it is in, it doesn’t draw in or attract from other areas. He attached an article from the Duluth News Tribune. Temporary and long-term camping units have been returned to a maximum of one and they can’t be rented out. Now you just have to enforce the areas where that is currently taking place. Thank you for keeping no permanent off-premise directional signs advertising a business in the ordinance. Who will enforce it? You do allow for special event signs but do not define how many a year or for how long they can be up. Junk and salvage yards, can they be enforced? Accessory dwelling, the size limitations were left in. Thank you. There will be zoning conflicts with home businesses and mixed use zones. During the May 6th meeting an idea for boat storage in the R-1 was floated, that the TPC rightly turned down. Alex Haecker prepared and submitted a letter which he will cover from a high level here. He thanked everyone for all of the hard work as they are not easy things to re- write or debate. From a high level, a lot was re-organized and clarified. Some things that he suggested were incorporated but there are still some issues. He sees the zoning re-write as supporting more density on the Island. While that is in line with TB (5) TPC (5) Clerk (1) File (1) Email: Town Administrator; Assistant Administrator; Clerk; Deputy Clerk; La Pointe Shop the Comprehensive Plan there are overall infrastructure limitations including but not limited to sanitary to ferry to emergency services. He didn’t calculate the new population of the Island, but with the new zoning, it could be a lot more. We had suggested that accessory dwelling units and size limitations were incorporated, and they were. Thank you for that. He suggested that accessory dwellings should only be a conditional use and not a permitted use in any district and be included on 2 acres or more. That was not incorporated. He suggest that multi-household units only be permitted in C1 and MU1 districts. As of now, they are allowed in all R districts. On dimensional requirements, he requested that all R-1 district properties be 1 acre minimum. The Wilderness districts should be prohibiting permanent dwellings. Short term rentals should be restricted to C1 districts only and that we regulate high intensity short-term rentals. It appears to lack the infrastructure-based growth analysis. It would promote density and put a strain on Island infrastructure. How can he continue to work the issues if this is the last public hearing. PWilharm stated that we would talk about the results of this public hearing and didn’t rule out an additional public hearing, if it was deemed necessary. George Haecker backed Alex Haecker’s comments. Regarding wording, areas where it states, “for the most part” should be removed. He believes that it has no legal depth or meaning. He felt that that phrase was one of the fuzziest things in the document. It should be very specific black and white language. This has been contained in previous versions. PWilharm reminded everyone that this has to still go to legal for review. Steve McHugh prepared and submitted comments regarding directional signs and home businesses. This is his third year attempting to work with zoning and the Town Board. His business is struggling to perform under the current signage restriction. Illegal signs have appeared throughout the Town and across the Island. Business owners are given no legal method to direct the customers to their location. As a result, they have to resort to unofficial or illegal signage to survive. My business is a unique situation located outside of the commercial district and it has the potential to become a favorite destination for visitors. But this can only happen if people are able to find it. Now is the time to explore potential options. The Town Board and Zoning have the authority to address the issue now rather than postponing another year or two. This is about many businesses that are operated by year-round residents. They all deserve support from this Board. It will have them survive. The 2024 Comprehensive Plan had a majority of respondents supporting Home Businesses and year round businesses. The current regulations do not support this goal. Reasonable limitations could be established through zoning and planning committee. Size, number and placement could be addressed. In reality there are really only a small number of businesses that would require directional signs. My business needs your help, but it isn’t just for my business. It is for all existing and future home businesses across the Island. This may be my final season if conditions remain unchanged and that will affect more than just him. TB (5) TPC (5) Clerk (1) File (1) Email: Town Administrator; Assistant Administrator; Clerk; Deputy Clerk; La Pointe Shop Mark Weir submitted a letter on May 20th. PWilharm read the submittal. The letter included Mr. Weir’s recommended modifications for zoning definitions. His comments included restrictions of side yards and allowing up to 10% of the total side yard area for obstructions. For example, if the setback was 30 feet, allow up to 3 feet of penetration into the area. These could include chimneys, roof overhangs, bay windows, etc. Building heights could also be amended to the median height of 35 feet. It is all about massing and avoiding monotony. PWilharm also indicated that we had received approximately 12 emails submitted supporting Healing Motion. They all mimic the same support. They will be placed on file. Alex Haecker stated that he had approximately 30 people that supported his re-write comments from October which he also highlighted today. PWilharm thanked everyone for attending and adjourned the meeting. IV. Adjournment @ 545 pm Paul Wilharm, Town Plan Commission Upon reasonable notice, efforts will be made to accommodate the needs of disabled individuals through appropriate aids and services. For additional information or to request this service, contact the Town Clerk. Note: It is possible that members of other governmental bodies of the municipality (and possibly a quorum) may attend this meeting to gather information. No action will be taken by any governmental body at this meeting; other than the governmental body specifically referred to in this notice.