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-=`a pp <br /> r Qri[�,.`i.1.1•�1 <br /> ,--0-.--.. ., vt% Dane County Planning & Development..‘7,1 qt�y Room 116, City-County Building, Madison, Wisconsin 53709 Land Division Review <br /> '%,seco N s_= 608/266-9086 <br /> -::,„...�-- Property Listing <br /> TO: Karen Cornwell, County Supervisor 608/266-4120 <br /> Surveyor <br /> 608/266-4252 <br /> FROM: Mark Roffers, Senior Planner Zoning <br /> 608/266-4266 <br /> DATE: September 5, 1997 <br /> RE: Experience with Private Roads in Powers Lake Area, Racine County <br /> You asked Eva to contact two potential sources regarding a subdivision in southeastern <br /> Wisconsin built with private roads. I had to contact those same sources for a different project, so <br /> Eva and I agreed that it would be most efficient for me to handle your request. I received most of <br /> my information from George Melcher, Kenosha County Planning Director. <br /> The subdivision of interest is called Nippersink. It is located in the Town of Randall, Racine <br /> County on Powers Lake. It was developed 40 to 50 years ago. All roads within the subdivision <br /> were (and still are)private. Exactly who owns the road is murky in many cases--initially it was <br /> the developer of the subdivision, but now sections appear to be owned by adjacent property <br /> owners. The roads are unpaved, quite narrow, and have fallen into a state of disrepair. This has <br /> made them quite hazardous, particularly in winter. As a result, some property owners have <br /> petitioned the Town of Randall to accept them as public roads and reconstruct them. <br /> The Town appears overwhelmed with the prospect of taking and improving these streets as public <br /> roads. First, they cannot finance the improvement of the roads without assessing property <br /> owners. Of course, many owners are not excited over this prospect. In addition, the :Dads will <br /> have to be widened and ditches will have to be re-engineered to meet town standards. <br /> Unfortunately, over the last 40-50 years, structures and mature landscaping exists in the areas <br /> where this work would take place. Finally, the legal issues of determining ownership, putting <br /> together a special assessment program, etc. are daunting for this small town. Still, the Town is <br /> beginning to realize the potential liability issues if emergency services cannot be delivered <br /> promptly as a result of the road conditions. Mr. Melcher believes that Nippersink will ultimately <br /> have public roads, but not after countless hours of discussion and legal work. <br /> Not surpassingly, Mr. Melcher is not a big supporter of private roads to serve development. He <br /> argues that they often prove to be"too much for the next generation to maintain." Maintenance <br /> agreements, he maintains, are only as good as the people who enter into them. Further, as the <br /> original residents move, newcomers do not have the same stake in such agreements, and they <br /> become difficult to enforce. The only way to private roads are allowed today in Kenosha County <br /> is through planned unit developments. (The same is true for Racine County, where your other <br /> contact Arnold Clement works as Planning Director.) <br /> I hope this information addresses your request. If you'd like other information or would like to <br /> discuss this further, please contact me. <br /> cc: Jeanie Sidling <br /> Eva Serra <br />