[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6171172,"mediaKeyId","5394803-6fc2ea7c5566dd09d7946bad2864a6aa","parentId",5394803,"title","Commission reviews draft compensation guide, moves to revise NRSE application forms","audioSeconds",1056,"startMs",3318000,"endMs",4374000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5394803-6fc2ea7c5566dd09d7946bad2864a6aa&start=3318&end=4374","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5394803-6fc2ea7c5566dd09d7946bad2864a6aa/thumbnail_3318000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6171172/Franklin-City/Milwaukee-County/Wisconsin/Commission-reviews-draft-compensation-guide-moves-to-revise-NRSE-application-forms","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6171172-5305ccd4f9842b83c0465da2a1dc53e8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771189423&Signature=W9CaSyGJGiUwdjKt8WV53ZdW6jIz4Cqq0xZtctSo7ojqQ7rnphjFfAnD6LkB6pzZYuj-TVTi2V6ChHngDWG207i7bklnfTPYIo0Ss0gD-RA8vvsrXTzcrscTA5n5W6tXWkHUOIzzLRmO3dzPfER2bAJJ1UTlMSmVvz1ZJq9GKoNLzYBj1kkg9XGH5Tf55nbZ72VKjEKZOEvXYJ4yBbcWiHEGtSWdwrAVRoTzOsqiBHyTtCDBHMk1PG65HW8NvRls1BOY~KGC8tHxp1NNrg-iirZN~EcKcTnqDWU4xksNshI2ccBbezu0pQPVyk1gmKrMRosdY23~2d7J9gx2vRuExw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Franklin, WI","date","2025-07-15T19:22:47Z","article","Franklin's Parks and Environmental Commission reviewed a draft compensation guide and updated application materials for Natural Resource Special Exceptions (NRSEs) at its July 14 meeting and asked commissioners to submit comments ahead of a September meeting so staff can prepare a consolidated summary.

Staff described the draft compensation guide as an administrative policy intended to standardize how applicants propose and staff evaluate mitigation and compensation for impacts to wetlands and woodlands. \"When someone approached the city to do an NRSE, that variance for natural resources... ultimately, there wasn't anything giving them any real direction, so they all looked different,\" a staff member said, explaining why the guide was developed. The draft is not yet adopted and staff said it will be used as guidance while the commission finalizes a recommendation template that aligns with the new Unified Development Ordinance.

Commissioners raised concerns about applicants leaving sections blank or entering \"N/A\" and said some applications lack technical expertise required to answer ecological questions. One commissioner said the commission often receives applications late and that applicants sometimes submit responses drafted by laypeople, making it difficult for volunteer commissioners to evaluate ecological claims. Staff replied that the city requires fillable PDFs and both electronic and paper submissions for record retention and that staff sometimes return applications to applicants for clarification when feasible.

Staff asked commissioners to email written comments in advance so a summary can be circulated and discussion at the September meeting can focus on a consolidated draft rather than incremental comments from each commissioner during the meeting. Several commissioners agreed to send comments to staff in the coming weeks.

Ending: Staff will consolidate commissioner feedback into a summary for the September packet; the commission plans to refine a recommendation template that ties directly to the UDO questions and the administrative compensation guide.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Parks Commission Meeting 7-14-2025 - 6:30 PM","oneSentenceSummary","Commissioners reviewed a draft administrative compensation guide and updated question-and-answer forms that accompany Natural Resource Special Exception (NRSE) applications; staff asked commissioners to submit written feedback before the next meeting to produce a finalized recommendation template.","taxTitle","Franklin City, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin","taxId",55414,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6171177,"Franklin commission recommends denying school district exception to conservation easement but permits limited wetland mitigation for building",2693,3252000,5945000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5394803-6fc2ea7c5566dd09d7946bad2864a6aa&start=3252&end=5945","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5394803-6fc2ea7c5566dd09d7946bad2864a6aa/thumbnail_3252000.jpg","/articles/6171177/Franklin-City/Milwaukee-County/Wisconsin/Franklin-commission-recommends-denying-school-district-exception-to-conservation-easement-but-permits-limited-wetland-mitigation-for-building","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6171177-d3b5b196ebea46ead5bf526671a5d47a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771189423&Signature=MBhnqnwhPerymK7o~krXiS9HynHJ~GGtSy9oPWcAJpkg~Ro3CIF-7tMYXAy79Xza37dJXgCJJOeX6C0TN5lJcT0aRLWNlgGTGTTAQoYOtLmpyK2kW1Fxy3KgApnxxSgHxDzpUPEy76Kqo7ig8~2CsbgcLsn31nE0pjQGp1UI3J6oyU9ascisTpKy0ElmAa-FNOeLaZrohWQYSb1G5fnyMKupsq43xxTpsIm0Ja2fJxLoEDTHrOWjlH7uNKUaE8bIBIjf4L6q1-oCAYHq6CTUnG6vv9b8xWVqCZz6UlmYwpGBP0i6Uy~NSD7VEOOVSV3msQeEX-JnAGTbGuLwU7FNKw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Franklin Parks and Environmental Commission on July 14 recommended that the Plan Commission deny a requested natural-resource special exception (NRSE) sought by the local school district for development that would affect land subject to a prior conservation easement.

By a roll-call result described in the meeting as 3–2, the commission recommended denial to the Plan Commission, citing the existence of a previously recorded conservation easement covering a core woodland area the district had agreed to preserve when earlier approvals were granted. Commissioners then accepted a friendly amendment to allow mitigation of two specific wetland areas — identified in the project materials as wetland areas 1 and 2 — so the district could complete a limited building addition that staff described as outside the conserved core.

Why it matters: the school district's project includes additional parking, tennis courts and other athletic facilities that would affect wetlands and woodland identified in the conservation easement. Commissioners said the 2012/2014 conservation agreement should weigh heavily in decisions about modifying protected areas; that position, they said, informed the denial recommendation.

Project details discussed at the meeting included the applicant's updated mitigation plan, which shifted some mitigation off-site to a \"Hilltop\" parcel, and the mitigation ratios specified in the Unified Development Ordinance: 1.5 acres of wetland mitigation required per acre disturbed and a 0.75 ratio for woodland compensation. An engineer for the applicant said a consultant had evaluated the site for endangered species and did not find listed species. \"We're quite beginning. We're the engineers of the project. So we engaged Evergreen to evaluate the site…\" said Jim Lundberg, an engineer on the project team.

Commissioners also discussed the school's referendum commitments and the practical limits of relocating the listed facilities to another site. Some commissioners suggested the district would have difficulty constructing the same program of facilities at an alternative property without large additional expense.

The commission's recommendation is advisory. The matter will next go to the Plan Commission, which may accept, amend or reject the parks commission's recommendation. If the Plan Commission denies the NRSE, the district would need to redesign the site plan to avoid impacts to the conserved areas or pursue other options.

Ending: The commission's motion and amendment were recorded and will be forwarded to the Plan Commission as the Parks and Environmental Commission's recommendation. The applicant's mitigation proposal and the city's review materials will be part of the Plan Commission record.","The Parks and Environmental Commission voted 3–2 to recommend denial of the school district's natural-resource special exception (NRSE) for athletic fields and parking that would affect a parcel under a prior conservation easement; commissioners allowed mitigation for wetland areas 1 and 2 to permit a building addition.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6171180,"Pickleball players press Franklin staff for on-site storage and replacement windscreens after July 4 damage",794,2342000,3136000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5394803-6fc2ea7c5566dd09d7946bad2864a6aa&start=2342&end=3136","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5394803-6fc2ea7c5566dd09d7946bad2864a6aa/thumbnail_2342000.jpg","/articles/6171180/Franklin-City/Milwaukee-County/Wisconsin/Pickleball-players-press-Franklin-staff-for-on-site-storage-and-replacement-windscreens-after-July-4-damage","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6171180-c3bfdf1389373cf853d8adf1ed361fd7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771189423&Signature=MQC0uC~bhe3s5uWK-68BFF8sz~JVCC6lnXNYACsxu9l~YLaCYzl3s6QKpiTl~awjJVyHuUuXQ8jn5wFrLKk~bCbGB0MZtUUmgOfWZXcSXXYaRC4457YbxZpKprMX~TcXxlTX6XyBMqPGRoNaTwkRcupiD6Qi4KCkcdZrh2UmJyjYiVCT92HLxn~UTeGzuZXHZ09lNynHUE6zGnTDPWVVSTAKDJjWTLVkV7HwTRn8Zf-UA6U1vm28ueP53kV2E1fziW0j6H4016Sedx08pKgd~zwdXKU~4z~MPDPca6wc3sX-Fh24OMFGVXcL620FFCf8wxiMlbmnxWxwcUZRyBPBtQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Players and volunteers who run the city's informal pickleball program asked Franklin staff at the July 14 meeting to find a secure, on-site storage solution after several court windscreens were cut during a July 4 tournament and volunteers said equipment had been shifted.

\"They're up, but some of them were cut down for the July 4. So we're not putting the ones that were cut down back up because it was requested by another group,\" a volunteer said, describing the windscreens that had been removed during a tournament. Tournament organizers had used the space for a July 4 event and, according to players, cut some windscreens to accommodate their setup.

Players also asked the city to consider a locked plastic storage bin at the courts to avoid hauling nets, paddle holders and other gear across campus. Volunteers said repeatedly carrying equipment around the site is difficult, particularly for older volunteers. One volunteer proposed a heavy-duty plastic bin that could be locked with a real-estate style lock; staff raised ADA and sidewalk clearance constraints as factors that must be considered before installation.

City staff and commissioners agreed to several next steps: volunteers will prepare a short site diagram showing two preferred bin locations and send the diagrams and photos to staff before the commission's next meeting; parks staff will evaluate ADA clearance, safety and liability concerns; and staff will follow up with the Civic Celebration Committee to identify whether tournament organizers removed or damaged equipment.

Why it matters: pickleball is a growing recreational activity and volunteers provide much of the daily coordination; local players said modest capital investment (a secured bin or improved pad locations) would reduce setup time and protect equipment from loss or vandalism.

Ending: Commissioners asked volunteers to bring diagrams and photos to staff ahead of the next meeting. Staff said they will review options and report back, including whether an interim solution (keyed shelter access or secured bin) is feasible before next season.","Players said volunteers' paddle holders and some windscreens were removed after a July 4 tournament; commissioners and staff agreed to review storage options that meet ADA and safety rules and to bring site photos and proposals to the next meeting.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6171185,"Franklin commissioners weigh trail maintenance, park vandalism and volunteer park-watch options",1319,800000,2119000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5394803-6fc2ea7c5566dd09d7946bad2864a6aa&start=800&end=2119","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5394803-6fc2ea7c5566dd09d7946bad2864a6aa/thumbnail_800000.jpg","/articles/6171185/Franklin-City/Milwaukee-County/Wisconsin/Franklin-commissioners-weigh-trail-maintenance-park-vandalism-and-volunteer-park-watch-options","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6171185-ed5908e77ec61f713b73b617878536a4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771189423&Signature=KeWFtjD~XLsUyPp6pe0TtYyjvN6Wgd1EKSWBbOgwTBQl70JyKA7UWxeLqrua24FoFNS9l2JUqlGIcEIcBcRdBbeBcHyZW4xF6Vc112oBsGum1sDzr4a~1T-B6OB3C1~uxfuhvcKk7TTgtbupozQFE44kyihMI4GzsXvuccK~Ep7K8UqOvSs9MWZtDTzzr1UN-Rq02ShZTl-dlhKb9jM9Ze3cm5UFgnJhz0qAXZrwnQxSKOG1GogZUu-elKjYPX0g6m0o1PQiTtkY41kzTggV7SPRziWzF0E7TCedZsEV39p67KoVIenCQ65YKN97TuaCTLNTxwJp6XDLXFmj7tw2pg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City of Franklin Parks and Environmental Commission members spent much of their July 14 meeting discussing who will maintain neighborhood trails, growing vandalism in city parks and whether to expand volunteer \"ambassador\" and park-watch activity.

The discussion began after resident Tim Birch told the commission he had spent about a decade maintaining trails on city property east of Pleasantview Park and asked whether the city would resume that work. \"I was maintaining the trails on the city property east of Pleasantview Park,\" Birch said. \"I'm coming here to ask ... either allow me to maintain trails or have this city do it.\"

Commissioners and staff said some trail work is being reassigned to city crews because of prescribed burns the city expects to conduct in the spring. \"The trails in that, we're gonna take care of just because of prescribed burns, and they want it done a certain way. So we're gonna handle that in house,\" a staff member said during the meeting. That statement framed the commission's discussion about volunteer work versus official maintenance responsibilities.

Why it matters: the trails and nearby wooded areas are neighborhood amenities and wetlands/woodland resources. Commissioners said the city must balance public access and recreation with safety and environmental management when burns or conservation easements apply.

Commissioners also addressed vandalism in restrooms and other amenities. Parks staff described repeated damage this year, including smashed bathroom stalls and broken changing tables. \"Last year, we had bathroom closures because of the vandalism in the bathrooms,\" one parks staff member said. A staff estimate of repair costs was described as \"a couple thousand bucks a year\" for recurring fixes. Commissioners recommended documenting vandalism with photographs for a future newsletter to show the tangible cost of repairs and to encourage residents to report incidents.

On volunteer programs, commissioners heard from a member involved with an ambassador program who said the volunteer effort requires training and coordination with police and parks staff. \"I have been running the ambassador program since 2018 ... I manage the shifts and the sign ups, and I track the hours, and we do a recognition in the support in the fall,\" the volunteer said. Commissioners and staff said volunteer activity is possible but must be carefully managed because city staff cannot supervise volunteers full time and programs must comply with record-retention and liability rules.

Commissioners asked staff to bring follow-ups to a future agenda on: clarifying when volunteers are acceptable versus when DPW must perform maintenance (for example, work limited by prescribed-burn protocols); producing a visual montage of vandalism for public outreach; and providing clearer guidance about volunteer roles and any paperwork required to coordinate volunteer-led cleanups.

Ending: Commissioners did not adopt formal policy changes at the meeting but asked staff to return with clarifying information and recommended documentation; the commission also signaled support for a structured volunteer program that includes training and staff oversight where appropriate.","Commissioners discussed resident-maintained trails near Pleasantview Park, rising vandalism that has closed park restrooms and options for a volunteer ambassador/park-watch program; staff said trail work related to prescribed burns will be handled in-house.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission reviews draft compensation guide, moves to revise NRSE application forms

Franklin commission recommends denying school district exception to conservation easement but permits limited wetland mitigation for building

Pickleball players press Franklin staff for on-site storage and replacement windscreens after July 4 damage

Franklin commissioners weigh trail maintenance, park vandalism and volunteer park-watch options