Plan Commission meeting — Minutes

Town of Blooming Grove Plan Commission Minutes Date: Wednesday, November 5, 2025, at 9:30 AM Place: Town Hall, 1880 S. Stoughton Road Present per roll call: Chair Dave Young, and Commissioners Dwight Johnson, and David Braga. Erin Pierce will meet the group at Thurber Park. Commissioner Teuscher had notified the group beforehand that he was unable to attend. Also, in attendance were Clerk/Treasurer/Administrator John Wright, Public Works Supervisor Cory Buske, and Deborah Sellers. Chair Young called the meeting to order at 9:30 AM. Wright attested to proper proof of posting. 2. Depart Town Hall to the Following Locations (sequentially): a. Thurber Park: 3325 Thurber Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin – Those in attendance reviewed the amenities at this location: five benches, an open air shelter, playground equipment, basketball court, display case, commemorative plaque, and three street lights. The former Town Hall, a Trachte Building, houses an artist-in-residence studio. The City of Madison leases the building from the Town. Those who rent the park shelter from the Town have access to electrical power, overhead lights in the shelter, and an accessible restroom. Public Works Supervisor Cory Buske reviewed the history of plantings in the park as well as the removal of lilac bushes and a commemorative tree by ATC when they recently replaced the poles carrying overhead high power lines. Buske transplanted a small Juniper tree this year from the Town cemetery. There is a geodetic survey benchmark located in the park. The park is a reclaimed brownfield site which requires periodic filling for areas that settle over time. Commissioner Braga asked whether the Town has a long range plan for the parks; it does not. It was noted that the roof on the shelter is at the end of its effective life. Each of the three Town parks are mowed weekly during warm weather months. A bike path was proposed adjacent to the Wisconsin & Southern Railroad (WSOR), but the plans were rejected by the railroad within their right-of-way. The water table in this park is approximately 10 feet below the surface. Commissioner Johnson recommended sealing the surface of the basketball court and repainting the markings thereafter. The group departed this location at 10:20 AM. b. Severson Park: across from 3484 Cottontail Trail, Madison, Wisconsin – The group arrived at Severson Park at 10:33 AM. The amenities include an open air shelter with a dusk-to-dawn light on the exterior, a horseshoe pit, playground equipment, a tether ball pole, rock wall, three benches, volleyball court, sand box (with dozens of donated toys), a half basketball court, baseball backstop, three benches, a display case, and numerous mature trees. It was noted that this park is on a dead end road that may be joined to a City of Madison street after annexation. There is a City of Madison Park that abuts the Town park. It was noted that the shelter has electrical power available for those who rent it. There is no running water available. Portable restrooms are typically delivered in early April and removed before November first each year. Buske noted that the demographics of the neighborhood have changed over time from retired couples to young families. Originally, construction of a shelter was opposed, but was eventually welcomed. The shelter has a metal, standing seam roof. Commissioner Johnson recommended removing the oldest tree close to the shelter to prevent damage to the shelter during an extreme storm event. A playground digger/excavator was recommended as a possible addition to the existing equipment. The group departed at 10:57 AM. c. April Hill Park: across from 3574 Carncross Drive, McFarland, Wisconsin – The group arrived at 11:12 AM. The resources available include an open air shelter, playground equipment, a volleyball court, sandbox, three benches (one is two-sided), a half basketball court, a baseball backstop, a tetherball pole, an overhead dusk to dawn light on a pole, and a display case. Portable restrooms are typically delivered in early April and removed by November first. Electrical outlets and internal shelter lighting is available for those who rent the facility. Buske reported that a speed bump is installed on the street during warm weather months to slow traffic. The park abuts the Secret Places Park owned by the City of Madison. There is a small, unused green space to the southeast that has access from Rankin Road. Buske stated that the baseball backstop is utilized in this park. It was noted that in urban settings, there are scaled down, fenced dog parks with artificial turf often segregating small dogs from larger ones. Commissioner Pierce departed at 11:33 AM. 5. Adjourn – Chair Young made a motion to adjourn the meeting; 2 nd by Commissioner Johnson. Motion carried 3-0 at 11:40 AM. Minutes by John Wright Approved: February 11, 2026