Dangerous Precedent Proposed as Arboretum Neighbors Attempt to Legislate to Keep Anyone Else out of their Neighborhood

Dane County Zoning Committee Public Hearing Tomorrow for Ordinance Amendment

Ever since residents of the Forest Park neighborhood adjacent to the UW Arboretum discovered that two homes were to be built in their neighborhood, they have decided that no step is too far to prevent the construction.

This includes proposing an amendment to Dane County Zoning Ordinances that would negatively impact over 1,800 homeowners and thousands of parcels of land around Dane County.

Tomorrow night, the Dane County Zoning and Land Regulation Committee and Environmental, Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee will hold a public hearing on this Ordinance Amendment on October 18, 2006, at the City-County Building beginning at 5:30 p.m. in Room 210.

“This has gone on long enough and we encourage citizens to attend this meeting to let their views be heard,” says Darren Kittleson, the local builder who owns the lots. “You can’t attempt to legislate retroactively when things don’t go your way. We have been in compliance with all zoning laws and have every right within the law to build these two eco-friendly homes.”

Kittleson also stated that many of the 1,800 landowners have no idea that this ordinance amendment is being proposed or how it will impact them.

“The Arboretum Neighborhood Association has said our septic will harm the environment; yet many of the 56 homes in the Forest Park neighborhood have systems close to 60 years old that could be leaching into Lake Wingra. They clearly don’t want any more homes built, yet as we speak, an extensive remodeling is going on just down the street from where these lots are located,” he said. “Tomorrow night’s committee is one more way they are proving they don’t care who they affect in Dane County, as long as they protect their backyard view.”

Kittleson has followed every channel to the letter of the law, applied for all necessary permits and has already been granted necessary zoning permits.

“At every opportunity the facts have been terribly misrepresented by the neighborhood association,” he said. “Their actions in recent months have proven that they will stop at nothing to keep out any other families in this premier neighborhood.”

Kittleson concluded, “It is my hope this committee will see pass the antics and selfish desires of this association and do the right thing for all Dane County residents, not just those living in the upscale areas. This isn’t about two homes; it’s about setting a dangerous precedent that could impact every resident of Dane County.”