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• Town of Westport Planning Newsletter Prepared by Mid-America Planning Services,Inc. Madison,WI 608.249.2514 January 1998 Public hearing date set on Town After the Plan Commission holds its public hearing and adopts Comprehensive Plan the Comprehensive Plan, they will recommend that the Board certify the Comprehensive Plan for use in all Town decisions. The Town's comprehensive planning process is approaching its final stage as the Town Plan Commission presents a Draft Community-wide survey results Comprehensive Plan to the community.Up to this time,numerous public meetings have been held to work on the plan,the purpose of As a part of the comprehensive planning process, a housing which is to guide the growth and development of the Town. and community needs survey was mailed to all households in the In attendance at Planning meetings were the Town Plan Town.Approximately 1,361 surveys were mailed out. Of the Commission and Board and any interested members of the surveys mailed,821 were returned.This resulted in a response public. rate of about 61.26%. The survey is used to provide the Plan Attendees have done several things up to this point: Commission with information on what residents in the commu- v They reviewed background data about the Town and looked nity feel is important. For example, the survey results showed at the various development factors (things like traffic, that most residents feel the Town of Westport is an"excellent" wetlands,availability of sewer service).They also reviewed or "good" place to live and that traffic is the number one the results of the survey. perceived problem. ✓ After analyzing this information they developed a set of Of the total respondents,88.6%agreed that the Town should goals and objectives for the Town. They also reviewed mai main its rural character.When asked which steps should be "Development Concepts",or alternative ideas for where the taken to keep the rural character,45.4%stated they felt theTown different types of land uses should be located and directions should purchase green space for preservation over the other of desired growth and preservation.The selected Develop- choices given.These choices included the following: ment Concept was used to develop a more precise Land Use Encourage large lot zoning 36.4% Plan which will provide a guide for development in the Encourage purchase of development rights on future.This plan is available for public review at the Town farmland by Town 12.9% Administration Building on Mary Lake Road. The Com- Development moratorium 13.5% pre he nsive Plan contains the Land Use Plan as well as a Park Encourage cluster development 15.3% Plan and Implementation Plan and recommendations for Have Town purchase green space for preservation 45.49 what the Town can do to meet the Goals and Objectives. Don't know how this can be accomplished 14.0% At the December 8, 1997 Plan Commission meeting, the Stop development 20.3% Commission approved a draft Comprehensive Plan to go to Other 07.0% public hearing. The Commission wanted to wait until the The survey results were broken down by segments of the Holiday season was over so that as many people as possible population including: Renters, Lakeshore (those living along could attend and so that citizens have adequate opportunity to Lake Mendota shoreline),Westport Bay(those living near the review the draft Plan.So,the public hearing was scheduled on mouth of the Yahara River), Mary Lakes (those living in the January 26, 1998.The Town Plan Commission will take public vicinity of Mary Lakes Subdivision), River Road(those living testimony and consider adoption of the Town Plan. in and around River Road), Age 62+, New Residents (those The Town is now at the point where it will be deciding future living in Westport 10 years or less),Age 40+,LMI(households land use policy. Citizen participation is a key element to the with a low to moderate income level), and Farmers. planning process. Everyone is encouraged to attend the public Complete survey results can be viewed at the Town Hall hearing to speak out or just to listen.The Town wants residents during normal business hours and they will be included in the to be a part of the new town plan and citizen comments are final Comprehensive Pan. A summary of some of the results considered seriously. is included in this newsletter.■