Supv. Kyle Richmond might be in over his head.
Richmond has been trying to amend Dane County's zoning code to restrict development along shoreland lots, but he was clearly unprepared for the outcry from landowners. At a public hearing Wednesday night, more than 70 people registered their opposition; less than 20 appeared in favor of it. Richmond looked weary, as speaker after speaker accused the county of trying to take away their property rights.
"You're ruining the rest of my life," fumed Alan Carlson. He owns two lots on Lake Kegonsa, which he's planning to sell for his retirement. But he won't be able to, he says, if the county decides the lots can't be developed. "I'm going to have to survive on Social Security!'
Richmond's proposal would prohibit building on shoreland lots of less than 7,500 square feet and would require multiple, contiguous lots owned by the same individual to be combined. The idea is supposed to help protect the lakes by banning development on lots that are too small. (There is also discussion about the matter in TDPF.)
But speakers raised questions, including: Can they rebuild existing structures if they're burned down or damaged? (Richmond said state law allows them to rebuild structures in the building's exact footprint, but the county's zoning staff seemed unsure.) And: How many properties will be affected by the change? (Estimates range from 300 to more than 2,000.)
All Richmond is really trying to do is help some of his constituents, who are fighting a proposed development in their Arboretum neighborhood. The residents say adding two new houses there will threaten nearby Lake Wingra, which is already suffering from septic tank leaks and stormwater runoff.
Ron Kalil, who's leading the Arboretum neighborhood's fight against the development (see After the hearing, Richmond chaired a meeting of the Environment, Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, which ultimately delayed voting on the proposal until November. Members bombarded Richmond with questions, at one point causing him to throw up his hands and remind them that he wasn't a zoning expert. "I work for the state Elections Board!"
