DCPCUP-0000-01484 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

R. Bruce Allison, Ph.D. 1830 Sugar River Road Verona, WI 53593 az 7- (232:tr) May 22, 1998 7:1 Helen Stone, Chairperson to 908 Kriedeman Drive }C; 1 Stoughton, WI 53589 Dear Ms. Stone: I write in rebuttal to Mr. William G. Buglass's written statement presented to your committee on May 19th regarding CUP 1484. Alternative Sites To argue that Dane County lacks alternative sites contradicts the applicant's own expert Professor Dave Michelson. Dr. Michelson also stated at the Town of Verona public meeting that the"quality"of the deposit was measurably less than other sites, including those north along the Badger Mill Creek. Other attractive alternatives include recovering and recycling old asphalt. To suggest that a no vote on this application will lead to product scarcity and higher transportation costs is unsupported and alarmist. A no vote will in fact preserve all resources of the Upper Sugar River Valley including the minerals beneath. If Dane County is ever in a real crisis that would justify the unavoidable environmental and social sacrifices related to this type of high risk mining, then the sand and stone will be in reserve and available. Town of Verona Denial The disparaging argument that the Town of Verona erred in denying the application ignores the fact that town citizens and officials worked diligently to find ways to accept this application. Citizens listened carefully and were very responsive at the applicant's informational meetings held at the Town Hall. The Plan Commission arranged a neighborhood committee to address concerns and seek compromises. The local press covered the issues thoroughly and evenhandedly. The issues were central during the Town Board campaign and elections. The applicant had every opportunity to make his case and failed (unanimously!) on the merits not because the town citizens, Plan Commission and the Board misunderstand the intent of their own Town Plan. The democratic system worked just as it should have in the Town of Verona. The Town has approved its share of mineral extraction CUP's but correctly determined this application to be deficient. "This is the most complete, thorough, fully researched proposal" (p.4) The truth is that the applicant simply did not do his homework in selecting this location. Rather than using a principle-based, quality-standard decision making process, they took a chance on the Herfel property because it was"available." They couldn't have chosen a worse site for this type of complex, risk-filled mining. The Badger Mill Creek and the