DCPREZ-0000-05898 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

• proposed will be evaluated using the policies of the plan." The plan includes policies which state that the Town should: Control sporadic development Protect the natural environment Maintain the rural character of the Town This development is in the Agricultural Preservation district of the Town of Cross Plains land use plan. The plan also states the following policy in agricultural districts: "Only commercial uses clearly needed to support agricultural production may be permitted to rezone in designated agricultural preservation areas. A retail garden center and landscape business does not fit within the definition "clearly needed to support agriculture." This is a business that will serve urban customers. The Regional Development Guide addresses this issue in the following policy statement: "To encourage compact, urban development in and adjacent to existing communities by directing urban development into urban service areas and away from the agricultural and open space lands outside the service areas..." The Dane County Park and Open Space Plan designates a preservation area along the Upper Black Earth Creek. This area including the subject property is to be studied for water quality protection of the Black Earth Creek since it is so close to the creek. The western half of the property has been identified as a potential trail corridor by the Ice Age Trail Foundation and the Department of Natural Resources. This commercial development involves chemicals and fertilizers on a site within 300 feet of the Black Earth Creek. There are unresolved environmental concerns. The Dane County Farmland Preservation Plan policies state: "Commercial industrial uses which are not agriculturally related should be located in areas identified for such use and where the full range of public services (sewer, water, fire protection, and police protection) can be economically provided." "Only commercial uses clearly needed to support agricultural production may be permitted to rezone in designated agricultural preservation areas." Dane County has adopted these policies and the Town of Cross Plains adopted a Land Use Plan which has to be consistent with the Farm Land Preservation Plan in order for the farmers in the Town to be enrolled in the Ag Land Preservation program and collect tax credits. Rezoning this land to AB and LC1 would clearly violate the standards in these adopted policies and weaken land use regulations.