|
Dear Friend, Last Thursday, Sept. 11 was a really great day for us, because so many of you came out to the CARPC hearings to support our cause! But n
|
|
What a turnout!
At the meeting of the Capital Area Regional Planning Commission (CARPC) on Sept. 11, I wrote down 86 names of supporters I already knew or met that night, but I'm sure some escaped my notice because there was such a throng and some people just registered and left. I don't yet know how many registered in opposition to the Northeast Neighborhood, but 90 people registered against the North Stoner Prairie Neighborhood, and 11 more signed up to speak against it!
This sent a loud message that Fitchburg's proposals are very controversial, and need to be examined closely. |
 The label "NSPN" shows the location of the proposed North Stoner Prairie development |
North Stoner Prairie hearing is finished, no decision yet.
Six of us spoke out in opposition to the destruction of 242 acres of prime farmland in an area that will likely result in flooding onsite and elsewhere. Six others wanted to speak, but had had to leave before 10:50 p.m. when it was finally our turn. (Two other Urban Service Area Amendments were discussed and passed before the Fitchburg hearings started.)
I spoke about the fact that no additional land is needed at this time, because according to the new, reduced population projections released by the Wi Dept. of Administration in Feb. 2014, Fitchburg has enough land to accommodate 20+ years of growth. But Fitchburg used out-of-date projections from 2003, which "proved" that it "needs" more land. Click here to read my 3 min. testimony. |
 Fitchburg Alder Steve Arnold |
Fitchburg Alder Steve Arnold spoke about how the NSPN planning process violated Fitchburg's Comprehensive Plan
and was rigged in favor of major landowners. In response to a question from a commissioner, he explained how the mayor's goal of "squaring off the Urban Service Area" is in direct opposition to the "spokes and wedges" urban planning design of Phil Lewis. (To read about spokes and wedges, click here for our 2-21-14 e-newsletter and scroll down below my signature.) To read Steve Arnold's 3 min. testimony, click here. |
 The blue area in the NSPN drains into a closed depression. High levels of storm water will have to be pumped out. |
The highlight of the NSPN hearing was the testimony of Diane Streck,
the Chair of Fitchburg's Resource Conservation Commission (RCC), whose oversight responsibilities include groundwater and stormwater. She disagreed that the city is developing in an environmentally responsible manner. She thanked the mayor for applauding the RCC's stormwater work (which he did during his presentation.) However, she added, the NSPN proposal was never sent to the RCC for review, even though she asked three times, and the alder on the Commission asked several times for it to be sent to the RCC. "First they told us it was too early in the process," she testified. "Then they told us it was too late; the consultant had already finished."
"I don't think we would have approved this proposal," she said. "Developing this area with its groundwater and stormwater issues is just asking for trouble. Several homeowners in Fitchburg have problems with water in their basements. Several months ago I asked the mayor and city staff, 'Who is responsible for protecting unsuspecting homeowners from this kind of problem. It is the developer? Is it the city?' I didn't get an answer." |
 Fitchburg Alder Richard Bloomquist |
Alder Bloomquist changes his mind
I'm sorry to report that he didn't change his mind about anything substantial. But around 11 p.m., the announced time for the end of the meeting, Fitchburg Alder Richard Bloomquist called out that he had changed his mind, and wanted to speak, and wanted Alder Carol Poole to speak too. So CARPC Vice-Chair (and acting chair) Peter McKeever gave them the floor. Their basic theme was "We know what we are doing, trust us, we do developments really well." And Alder Poole promised to let the Resource Conservation Commission examine the NSPN proposal (after the fact). "We just wanted to give them a good proposal" she said.
And then the NSPN hearing was closed. We thought that all 90 opposing comments should be read into the record, but the commissioners decided to just put them online where they and the public can read them.
Then the Northeast Neighborhood hearing was opened, and immediately continued til the next CARPC meeting on Thursday, Oct. 9, at 7 p.m., location to be announced. |
 Video graphic by Matt Hill |
Another 21 days to spread the word!
Now we have three weeks to spread the word, and get more organized opposition to these two unnecessary proposals. Here's what you can do.
1. Watch our 20-min. video, "Waubesa Wetlands in Danger" at www.westwaubesa.org, and then share it via Facebook, Twitter, email or telephone! Since our last newsletter on Sept. 10, we've gone from 140 views to 210 views. Help us reach 300!
1. If you haven't written yet, please write to the CARPC Commissioners at allcommissioners@CapitalAreaRPC.org regarding the NEN and NSPN proposals. See below for helpful hints on how to write to and testify before the CARPC.
3. Put Oct. 9 on your calendar, and come to the CARPC meeting at 7 p.m. (This time we won't have to sit through 2 other hearings first!) There is a search on to find a place in Fitchburg, because both the City Hall and Library all full that night.
Register in opposition to the Northeast Neighborhood if you didn't already do so on Sept. 11. The NSPN hearing is closed, but you can always write to the commissioners or to the newspapers with your opinion about it. |
How to write and testify effectively
The CARPC is charged by the WI DNR (Department of Natural Resources) with protecting the surface and ground waters of Dane County, so you need to emphasize those issues when you talk to them.
In the past we've laid out many reasons why taxpayers should be against too much development at one time. These are still valid reasons, but we need to give the commissioners water-related reasons if we want them to reject the Fitchburg proposals. Here are some tips to help you write effective letters or testimony. A strong statement will contain some of each of these three components.
1. Use science. If you are not a scientist, quote a scientist! In our Sept. 10 newsletter, we had links to 6 different letters and editorials by leaders and scientists. You can also find articles in magazines or online. Find a point or two in an article and quote it.
2. Use your personal experience. After you've quoted a scientist, see if you can relate it to your own life. For example, have you seen a favorite lake degrade over the years because of too many nutrients flowing into it? Have you had to give up fishing there? Do you know of a town or city whose economy has suffered as their lakes or wetlands have degraded?
3. Include a statement of your values. It's good for our leaders to be reminded of such things as
* "A clean lake can contribute more to a region's economy than another suburban development can."
* "We owe it to our grandchildren to leave them clean lakes, not stinking messes of algae."
* "Since the weather is changing, we need to change 'business as usual' or we'll regret it." |
Remember...
Please be respectful of the Commissioners, CARPC staff, and Fitchburg staff. Do not assume that any of them want to harm the wetlands. Please don't accuse them of anything, just state why you think the amendments should be rejected. |
 The southern end of Lake Waubesa, looking northwesterly towards the Northeast Neighborhood.
Photo © Nadia Olker |
A huge thank you!
Thanks so much to all of you came to the hearing, wrote to the commissioners, spread the word, and helped pay for our postcards with your donations! I hope to see you again on Oct. 9, when the commissioners will hear us and vote.
Yours,
Phyllis Hasbrouck
Chair of the West Waubesa Preservation Coalition
P.S. Please mark Oct. 9, 7 p.m. on your calendar to attend the continued NEN hearing, location to be announced.!
www.westwaubesa.org
westwaubesa@gmail.org |
Tips and talking points: the story in two nutshells
We are trying to stop two proposed developments from happening at this time. The reasons are both financial and environmental. Since Fitchburg already has 7 areas (1125 acres) within its current Urban Service Area that are empty and ready for development, it makes no sense to open another two areas for development, burdening the taxpayers with two more sets of infrastructure to maintain.
(If this is your first e-newsletter from us and you need some background on the issue, click here to access our brochure. And click here to see our 3-minute animated video!)
Our previous newsletter from May has a summation of the water-related concerns about these two proposed expansions. (You need to stick to those reasons when talking to CARPC.) Just click here and scroll down past the signature. |
|
|
|
|
