_02162026-693
Village of Howard · Brown County · meeting of Feb 16, 2026 · Minutes
Open the original document More from Village of Howard
Text
Extracted automatically from the original. Tables and formatting may not survive; the original document is authoritative.
Minutes of the Plan Commission Meeting
Feb. 16, 2026 at 5:30 p.m.
Village Hall Board Room
1. Call to order: B. McIntyre called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
2. Roll call
Present: Plan Commission members President Burt R. McIntyre, Ellery Gulbrand, Natasha
Gwidt, Mark Semrau, Randy Smith
Absent/Excused: Dan Kussow, Mike Soletski
Staff: Dave Wiese, Josh Gerrits, Ciara Hurrish
3. Pledge of Allegiance: B. McIntyre led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. Approval of the agenda
E. Gulbrand moved to approve the agenda. M. Semrau seconded. The motion carried
unanimously.
5. Approval of the Plan Commission meeting minutes from Jan. 26, 2026
N. Gwidt moved to approve the Plan Commission meeting minutes Jan. 26, 2026. R. Smith
seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
6. Review and take action on the Final Plat of Lacona Heights
D. Wiese explained that the Final Plat of Lacona Heights follows prior Preliminary Plat and
Planned Development District approvals. Under state statute, the Final Plat must be approved
unless there are substantial changes. He noted staff worked with the developer on trail
alignment and the location of the centralized mailbox unit (CBU), and revised drawings were
included in the staff report. Staff recommended approval with the two stated conditions.
M. Semrau made a motion to approve the Final Plat of Lacona Heights, located on Riverview
Drive contingent upon:
1. Provide radii in the northern trail segment as shown by Village staff.
2. Shift CBU north adjacent to trail by storm water pond.
E. Gulbrand seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
7. Review and take action on recommendations from the Lot Size Committee
D. Wiese explained that approximately one year ago the Village formed a Lot Size Committee to
review lot size standards and provide recommendations. The recommendations were
previously presented but no ordinance amendments were initiated at that time. Staff brought
the item back for further direction.
He reviewed the committee’s recommendations, including proposed additions related to yield
plans, density ranges for single-family subdivisions, discouraging large clusters of similar lot
sizes, and whether a minimum lot width should be established. He noted that if the Commission
wished to proceed with ordinance amendments, a public hearing would need to be called and
draft language prepared for consideration.
The Commission discussed concerns regarding narrow lots, density ranges, and maintaining
flexibility within Planned Development Districts. Members expressed interest in evaluating
developments based on overall yield and density rather than establishing a strict minimum lot
width. It was also discussed that large clusters of similar lot sizes should be discouraged.
Staff indicated they could provide density comparisons from recent subdivisions to assist with
future discussions.
N. Gwidt made a motion to call for a Public Hearing amending Village of Howard Sec. 50-750 –
Approval Criteria (1) Character and intensity of land use. R. Smith seconded. The motion
carried unanimously.
8. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS (NONE)
9. ADJOURN THE MEETING
N. Gwidt moved to adjourn. E. Gulbrand seconded. The motion carried unanimously, and the
meeting adjourned at 5:49 p.m.
Ciara Hurrish
Public Information Officer/Deputy Clerk
Source: Village of Howard website. First collected Oct 15, 2026.