Neighborhood Association’s Dispute Not about Protecting Environment; But Protecting Own Backyard
Driving through the UW Arboretum on a crisp Sunday afternoon in fall, surrounded by amazing colors and fresh off a Badger football win, you are hit with a simple realization: there really is no better place to live than right here in Madison.
Unfortunately, this year my perception of this pristine area has changed a bit. If you continue on your drive through the Arboretum, you will come to something quite ugly. In this adjacent “Forest Park” neighborhood sits tattered real estate signs, as well as “Protect the Arboretum – Oppose the Developers” signs.
You see, I am the “developer.” While this area remains one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in Madison, a nasty wind is blowing in the form of an ugly land use fight.
Back in January, my partners and I bought a home and three adjacent lots at a fair price from a longtime resident and supporter of the Arboretum. The zoning at the time of purchase, as it’s been since the 1930s, allowed for construction on these sites.
We have proposed building two homes on these three lots. Since that time, it has become very apparent that the Arboretum Homeowners Association – with many UW professors listed as members, are ready to do whatever it takes to ensure no one else has an opportunity to do what they once did: build a home for their family in one of the most premier areas of Madison.
We have followed every channel to the letter of the law and have already been granted our zoning permits. Their trump card? Making claims that these two homes will destroy the Arboretum and Lake Wingra.
One of their biggest assertions is the two new septic systems will further tax the environment. What isn’t being discussed by this group is that the majority of their septic systems are outdated, some as old as 60 years. I shudder to think what these are doing to Lake Wingra.
And while they clearly don’t want our two homes built, it seems there is no issue with building if you already live in Forest Park. If you listen closely, you can hear the drone of power tools, as a house across the street from our lots (and closer to the lake) is undergoing an extensive remodeling job.
Realizing that we are in compliance with all county zoning laws and plan to build two homes that will meet Wisconsin Energy Star Standards and be eco-friendly, they’ve now attempted to change those laws and make them retroactive.
The proposed legislation they are trying to pass will affect over 1,800 property owners in Dane County. Most of those property owners have no idea this will impact them.
It’s time for honesty on this issue from the Homeowner’s Association. This isn’t about the environment and it’s not about protecting the Arboretum. It’s about protecting their view of the lake and what’s in their own backyard.
Driving through the UW Arboretum on a crisp Sunday afternoon in fall, surrounded by amazing colors and fresh off a Badger football win, you are hit with a simple realization: there really is no better place to live than right here in Madison.
Unfortunately, this year my perception of this pristine area has changed a bit. If you continue on your drive through the Arboretum, you will come to something quite ugly. In this adjacent “Forest Park” neighborhood sits tattered real estate signs, as well as “Protect the Arboretum – Oppose the Developers” signs.
You see, I am the “developer.” While this area remains one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in Madison, a nasty wind is blowing in the form of an ugly land use fight.
Back in January, my partners and I bought a home and three adjacent lots at a fair price from a longtime resident and supporter of the Arboretum. The zoning at the time of purchase, as it’s been since the 1930s, allowed for construction on these sites.
We have proposed building two homes on these three lots. Since that time, it has become very apparent that the Arboretum Homeowners Association – with many UW professors listed as members, are ready to do whatever it takes to ensure no one else has an opportunity to do what they once did: build a home for their family in one of the most premier areas of Madison.
We have followed every channel to the letter of the law and have already been granted our zoning permits. Their trump card? Making claims that these two homes will destroy the Arboretum and Lake Wingra.
One of their biggest assertions is the two new septic systems will further tax the environment. What isn’t being discussed by this group is that the majority of their septic systems are outdated, some as old as 60 years. I shudder to think what these are doing to Lake Wingra.
And while they clearly don’t want our two homes built, it seems there is no issue with building if you already live in Forest Park. If you listen closely, you can hear the drone of power tools, as a house across the street from our lots (and closer to the lake) is undergoing an extensive remodeling job.
Realizing that we are in compliance with all county zoning laws and plan to build two homes that will meet Wisconsin Energy Star Standards and be eco-friendly, they’ve now attempted to change those laws and make them retroactive.
The proposed legislation they are trying to pass will affect over 1,800 property owners in Dane County. Most of those property owners have no idea this will impact them.
It’s time for honesty on this issue from the Homeowner’s Association. This isn’t about the environment and it’s not about protecting the Arboretum. It’s about protecting their view of the lake and what’s in their own backyard.
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