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71")) • • fl August 8, 1995 Lyman Anderson, Chair " A 816 ...1 Zoning and Natural Resources Committee Room 116, City-County Bldg. Madison, WI 53709 D.C.PLANNING$SESOPIENT ZONING DIVISION Dear Mr. Anderson: We would like to comment on zoning petition No. 6371 by Cathy and Gary Sutter in section 36 of the Town of Blue Mounds. We are opposed to the size of the proposed lot of 5 acres. We feel any changes from agricultural zoning to residential should require a lot size of a minimum of 20 acres, and preferably even larger. The loss of agricultural land and wildlife habitat is becoming critical in Dane County. This area of the county is particularly rich in grassland bird habitat, and in fact is one of the last sizeable areas in Dane County that meets the habitat requirements of these rapidly declining species, including bobolinks, meadowlarks, dickcissels, short-eared owls, and a variety of sparrows. If these species disappear, we will all be much poorer. The area also provides habitat for deer, badgers, turkeys, coyotes, bobwhite and Hungarian quail and contains some nice prairie remnants. Breaking the area down into lots as small as 5 acres will dramatically change the nature of the area both biologically and aesthetically. We are also very concerned about increased traffic on the small town road serving this area, and increasing demand for services and the resulting higher taxes. We made a huge investment in our property, which is across the road from the proposed lot, because we love the rural character of the area and the remoteness from the terrible urban sprawl taking over around Madison. It cost a great deal of money to build our home back away from the road and on a part of the land that couldn't be used for agriculture. We continue to develop wildlife habitat on our land to provide more diversity for wildlife, not less. If the minimum requirement for rezoning was set at least at 20 acres, some of the natural habitat could be preserved rather than having a bunch of 5 acre sterile lawns spread across the countryside. We acknowledge that private property owners have a right to develop their property, but those decisions have a comprehensive impact on the people around them, the character of the land, and the other species with which we share this planet. Proposed land use changes must carefully consider these factors also. For the reasons stated above, we oppose approval of this rezoning as proposed. We also feel it's imperative that Dane County start addressing comprehensive land use planning. We're already 10 years behind where we should be. Sincerely, Irene J. Schmidt and Brian K. Werner 1820 E. Blue Mounds Rd. Mt. Horeb, WI 53572