DCPREZ-0000-07121 - Laserfiche WebLink

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If petition#7121 is not approved, then it's a "win" for me in terms of the more soft, intangible matters. The most obvious intangible factor is that I can continue to enjoy the lifestyle environment I moved here for in the first place. To me the difference between 5+ acre"farmettes" and subdivided large lots is the major reason I live on the south side of CTH Y and not the north side. When looking at the area between Highway 78 and 12, there are real differences between development on the north side of CTH Y and what's been done on the south side. To the north there are two residential developments that connect to "Y", one with 21 homes and the other with 26 (and more on the way). To the south there are no typical subdivisions but there are 19 homes on "Y" and Taylor road, each being farmette or farm size property. Presently, our neighbor farmer, Jim Zigler, crops our land 2-3 times a year of its hay. So in our present state we're still croppable on the south side of"Y". I have not personally seen the "Roxbury Development Plan" but I have trouble accepting the claim that the planners' intent was to have development on the south side of"Y"just like that north of"Y". Such planning would have meant that the 25-year restriction on our properties was open to challenge and removal, which it wasn't. Also, if CTH Y doesn't serve as the stop line for development, then there's no clear and easy demarcation or reason why development can't run right up against Blackhawk Ridge, up Taylor Road and in fact all the way to U.S. 12. To not stop subdivision style development at CTH Y seems like bad logic and worse planning. Another intangible factor that concerns me is related to "density" but is reflected in the impact on our properties in terms of traffic, congestion and safety. If you look at the stretch of"Y" from Hwy 78 to Taylor Road (about 0.3 mile) there are forty-seven(47) homes that MUST use"Y" for access. There are twenty-six (26) homes (along Bergman and Bolton Streets)that may use"Y". (NOTE: contrary to the map showing Birchwood Drive connecting to Bolton Street, no such,connection is there. Hence all Birchwood traffic must use"Y"). I don't know what acceptable rural density is, but I have a strong sense that we're on the ragged edge of too much traffic and not enough safety on CTH Y. We have a 45mph speed limit at present (which is not enforced or obeyed). If the south side of"Y" starts getting more homes, then safety on this road will be a significant problem. Enforcement and improvements will be needed. We can be set up perhaps like downtown Roxbury with a wide street and 25 mph speed limit. Finally, while I appreciate the possibility of getting more money for my property, I have a problem reconciling the implications of that benefit with the growing historical awareness about our area and its importance to both white and native American cultures. To me there is a conflict of interests when you encourage people to subdivide the properties south of"Y" and north of"The Battle of Blackhawk Ridge". While we argue about dividing lots and building trophy homes, 300 yards to the south volunteers and paid staff have been working their tails off to revert the land back to the way they think it was in 1832. Some years ago when there was a threat of development to the area(and before the battle site had been either outlined or assessed), I asked Bob Birmingham, the State