Commission approves pole‑barn permit for lot with limited upland buffer work

The planning and land‑use commission voted to approve application 83023, allowing limited grading within an upland review area to accommodate a 36‑by‑54 foot pole barn. The applicant told commissioners the structure will sit at the existing grade and require only minor regrading and stabilization around the building footprint.

“I'm putting up a 36x54 pole barn… the building itself will be outside, but just applying for a little bit of I'll have to like touch up and regrade,” said the applicant (as listed on the agenda). The applicant said foundation work will be minimal because the building is a pole barn and that proposed erosion controls include perimeter silt fence and reseeding.

Staff circulated a soil‑scientist sketch and a report from Rick Zulig, which the commission said showed no likely impact to wetlands. A commissioner noted erosion‑control details and asked that gutters not discharge directly toward the flagged wetland area; the applicant said no gutters are proposed.

A motion to approve application 83023 found that the applicant had submitted required materials under section 211‑7 of the wetland regulations (including section 211‑7E5 on alternatives considered) and that the proposal did not constitute a significant activity under the criteria in section 211‑10b. The motion was seconded and carried over a single recorded opposition.

Commission staff told the applicant they would sign the building application but must publish a legal notice; the approval becomes subject to a 15‑day appeal window from the date of that notice. The commission did not record any additional conditions beyond the erosion and stabilization measures discussed at the meeting.

Next steps: staff will post the legal notice and monitor any appeals; the applicant may proceed with building permit processing after the appeal period lapses.