Plan Commission Meeting Minutes – March 23, 2017

A meeting of the City of Kaukauna Plan Commission was called to order at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 23, 2017, by Chairman Rosin.

Members Present: Feldt, McGinnis, Oldenburg, Penterman, Rosin, Schoenike.

Also Present: Planning Director Jakel, Project Engineer Neumeier, Media.

Absent and Excused: Sundelius, VanderSanden.

• Excuse the Absent. A motion to excuse the absent Commission members was made by Penterman, seconded by McGinnis. All members voted aye. Motion carried.
• Minutes. A motion to approve the minutes of the March 17, 2016, meeting was made by Feldt, seconded by Schoenike. All members voted aye. Motion carried.
• Review of Fox River Boardwalk Feasibility Study. Mr. Jakel explained that the boardwalk is a multi-jurisdictional project including the City of Kaukauna, Village of Little Chute, Outagamie County, and others. The study was completed by GRAEF and who looked at design, environmental impacts and financing options. Four public meetings were held to gather input – most comments were positive however, five property owners with lots backing up to the river had concerns regarding obstructing the river view. The consensus was that a truss or steel girder bridge was preferred over wood or concrete with some options being determined to be too costly or adversely impacting the environment. Once a final determination on location is made, the next step would be to conduct borings in the river. As the borings are costly, they would only be done where the bridge piers are likely to be placed. Mr. Jakel explained that he has been contacted by several residents with questions or concerns regarding access to the river, trespassing on private property, fishing accommodations, user and neighbor safety, and the possibility of donating funds for benches or piers along the trail. GRAEF will present their findings to the Council and the big questions are the cost of the project and how it will be funded. GRAEF anticipated 90% of the $2.7 million cost of the boardwalk will be funded by non-local money. Mr. Schoenike asked if the railroad anticipated abandoning any more rail line. Mr. Jakel explained that railroad needs to maintain access to the Combined Locks mill and approval by the railroad to do construction adjacent to the trails would need to be granted. Mr. Roebke asked how wide the boardwalk would be. Mr. Jakel explained that a typical trail is 10 feet wide and this one would be 12 feet wide to accommodate maintenance equipment, bump-outs for fishing and wheelchair accessibility. Riverside Park or preferably, Central Park would be used as a staging area for the borings and construction process. Mr. Schoenike explained that it’s a similar situation to the process used for the river interceptor project. Mr. McGinnis asked about possible eagle nests in the area. Mr. Penterman suggested that consideration be given to the bridge design and possible impacts to the flow of water and ice formation relative to eagle feeding. Mr. Jakel explained that Little Chute has equipment to remove spider webs and goose droppings on the bridge. Mr. Oldenburg explained that Little Chute averages 55 users per day on their trail. Mr. Penterman asked about any plans to blacktop the trail in the future to make it more accessible to elderly or handicapped users. Mr. Jakel explained that it would be up to the Council. Mr. Neumeier explained that if the trail is used year-round, it would make the decision on blacktop easier. He also asked if there were any plans for access to the boardwalk from the surrounding residential areas. Mr. Jakel explained that the status of the railroad acquisition is up in the air. Mr. Feldt explained that acquiring additional railroad property would likely be less expensive than building a boardwalk. Mr. Oldenburg asked about access from Brill Street. Mr. Jakel explained that there were issues with DNR permitting and setbacks. Mr. McGinnis asked about the City’s total cost percentage. Mr. Jakel estimated the cost at approximately $150,000 contingent on the receipt of grants and donations. The next step is for GRAEF to start work on design, environmental impacts, and borings at a total cost of approximately $100,000. That cost would be divided between Outagamie County who have committed $17,000, the City of Kaukauna and the Village of Little Chute.
• Engineering Services Proposal for CE Trail Extension. Mr. Jakel explained that McMahon has completed preliminary design work on plans for the extension of the CE Trail from Loderbauer Road to Haas Road back in 2007, however, infrastructure issues, wetland mitigation and a creek crossing made the project cost-prohibitive. Staff has received numerous comments regarding the safety of crossing CTH CE to get to schools and to access the trails. The Town of Buchanan is willing to work with the City on acquiring property and Brown County will participate in the project when the trail reaches their location. The project will benefit residents with improved access to recreation and safe routes to school and will have a regional benefit as well connecting Outagamie County to Brown County via trail. Grants may be available from Outagamie County and the Greenways program as well. Mr. Schoenike asked about wetland mitigation. Mr. Jakel explained that it is expensive and time-consuming and could be made worse by the use of federal funds which would require environmental review, prevailing wage rates for labor, and a state review process. Mr. Penterman asked if sidewalk was planned up to Walton Court. Mr. Jakel explained that it is staff’s intent to extend sidewalk or a widened shoulder. Mr. Feldt explained that traffic will definitely increase in that area due to the re-routing of county roads. Chairman Rosin asked if it was possible to elevate the trail over the wetlands. Mr. Jakel explained that it may be an option, however, whatever we use has to be equipment-friendly to allow for year-round maintenance. A motion to recommend to the Council approving an Agreement for Professional Services with McMahon for design work only up to $78,000 was made by Penterman, seconded by Schoenike. All members voted aye. Motion carried.
• Hurkman Heights 4 Subdivision Schematic. Mr. Jakel explained that the preliminary plat will be presented at the next meeting and that while the road system lines up well, it is now looped instead of running parallel which is preferred. Mr. Jakel suggested securing a road ROW to access the property on the other side of the unimproved road to connect the two areas and avoid a situation where property would be land-locked. Mr. Neumeier explained that the ROW would be beneficial to future projects as well, including running watermain to the WalMart project in Commerce Crossing. Mr. Schoenike explained that it is clearly necessary to accommodate additional development. Mr. Jakel explained that the City is nearly out of single-family lots. Mr. Oldenburg explained that his office is busy writing permits as the residential areas fill in. Mr. Schoenike asked about sound control along I41. Mr. Jakel explained that it may become necessary when the highway is improved to six lanes. A motion to approve the subdivision schematic contingent on securing a road ROW in the general area of Greyhound Street to Lot 54 for access to property on the other side of the unimproved road was made by McGinnis, seconded by Oldenberg. All members voted aye. Motion carried.

There being no further business to be brought before the Commission, a motion to adjourn the meeting at 5:10 p.m. was made by Feldt, seconded by Sundelius. All members voted aye. Motion carried.

Julianne Schroeder, Executive Secretary