DCPREZ-0000-06801 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

� r � ' I Jim Gregorius " [` cember 12, 1996 Dane County Zoning Director ULU 16 1996 210 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. . u Madison, WI 53703 D.C. PLANNINZONING G &DIVISION DEVELOPMENT Dear Mr. Gregorius, We are writing in regards to a rezoning request in Verona Township from agricultural to residential in order to accommodate four homesites. The land in question is an 18 acre parcel on the terminal moraine adjoining our property at 3198 Shady Oak Lane and immediately west of Richardsons Cave, one of Dane Counties most interesting geological specimens. This cave has been explored by many spelunking groups as well as the Wisconsin Speleological Society and is presently being restored by its new owners. We and several neighbors attended the meeting when the zoning request was discussed. We were somewhat surprised that none of the board members, with the exception of one, showed any interest in the cave or possible consequences of extensive development on the parcel. Following that meeting, we have obtained a copy of Verona Township Land Use Plan as revised on June 3, 1996. It specifically states the following in the Resource Protection section: --item 2. "Encourage the preservation and maintenance of wildlife habitat areas" --item 3. "Identify and encourage the protection of glacial features such as drumlins, kettles and terminal moraine in the Town, as well as the location of caves." Regarding item 2, the 18 acre parcel is home to a variety of wildlife including great- horned owls, screech owls, deer and wild turkeys. With regard to item 3, the land lies on the terminal moraine and underground are a myriad of of tunnels and caverns emanating from Richardsons Cave--which by the way has proven to be a real problem with some of the local wells. The Land Use Plan also states in the Recreational Area section: --item 2. "Cooperate with local, state and federal officials as well as the Ice Age Park and Trail Foundation, Inc., in the planning and implementation of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail." --item 3. "Support the development of trails in environmental corridors which could connect areas such as Badger Mill Creek, the Ice Age Trail, the Military Ridge State Trail and others. Regarding the items above, we understand that the Ice Age Trail organization is interested in the land as it is an ideal corridor passing over the historic terminal moraine.