UW Arboretum Neighbors...Do as we Say, Not as we Do

I just got home from a meeting of the Dane County Zoning and Land Regulation Committee. The hot topic tonight was the proposed Ordinance Amendment 2 dealing with lots in the Shoreland Zoning District. Specifically changes to Dane County Zoning Ordinances Chapter 11.

What I found amazing is that the group that seems to be leading the charge on becoming more restrictive on what can be done with lots within the shoreland zone are those folks who live near the UW Arboretum in a small pocket of homes called the Forest Park Plat in the town of Madison.

This small enclave is approximately 60 homes built from the late 1930's until the mid 1980's and falls between Vilas Zoo and the beltline in a small pocket abutting the UW Arboretum.

It's a beautiful and tranquil piece of Madison most don't know about. Heavily wooded, very little traffic except for bike riders and runners and overlooking the southern shore of Lake Wingra.

In addition, these 60 some homes are all served by private septic systems to handle each home's waste removal. Septic systems in the center of the city of Madison, on the shores of Lake Wingra. How can this be in this day and age? It's simple, this group of homeowner's have refused to participate in the cost of bringing municipal sewer into their neighborhood.

I find it ironic that they are the same group that seems to turn out in force when it comes to dealing with the property rights of other Shoreland District property owners. They lead the charge of not allowing these other owner's do improve their lots arguing the environmental impact of such development.

What about the environmental impact of failing septic systems with 1000' of shoreland in and around Lake Wingra? Almost every other landowner near shoreland has been required to bring municipal sewer to their homesites. Around Lake Kegonsa and Lake Waubesa this has happened. Many times in a much more rural setting than the Forest Park plat.

It's time we focus on this hypocrisy of these "elitists" for what they really are trying to do.