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'Y w. <br /> This is the landscape context in which I have expressed concern about the <br /> location of the access drive proposed by the Maurers. If the west side of Timber <br /> Lane were already as split up for development as the east side of Timber Lane <br /> the location of another driveway would hardly make any difference. However, <br /> because the landscape in its largest features (the glacial lake basins) is still <br /> intact and not split into small units the location of the first driveway into <br /> that landscape is very significant. You can choose to either respect the shape <br /> of the land as given to us by the glaciers of the Ice Age or you can choose to <br /> follow our arbitrarily imposed rectangular survey system. Given the significance <br /> of these resources I think it is important to choose the former approach. <br /> I have looked over the Maurer property and the adjacent land from Timber <br /> Lane and I offer the following suggestions based upon what I saw there: <br /> 1 ) I agree with Tom Maurer that the alternate driveway location I suggested <br /> in my letter of August 12, 1991 to Mr.& Mrs. Johan Glaaser is not a very <br /> desirable one from several perspectives. <br /> 2) I observed that the concern expressed by Johan Glaaser for a driveway <br /> that provides safe access to Timber Lane with adequate sight distance for <br /> oncoming traffic is not very well met by a driveway along the north edge of the <br /> Maurer property. The site distance south to the blind crest of Timber Lane is <br /> only about 400 feet. <br /> 3) Both Johan Glaaser's concern for a safe access drive to Timber Lane and <br /> my concern for the presevation of the integrity of the glacial lake basin can <br /> be nicely met by putting the access drive on the crest of the ridge so that it <br /> enters Timber Lane opposite the existing drive from the stable across the road. <br /> The driveway could follow the ridge crest in a meandering course to the chosen <br /> homesite, providing a pleasant view for approaching the house. The site distance <br /> along Timber Lane is far better in both directions than in either of the <br /> previously proposed driveway locations. This driveway location would also <br /> minimize disruption of the cropland. I have identified this proposed driveway <br /> location on the attached maps and aerial photo. <br /> 4) The area north of this suggested driveway is approximately 12 acres. As <br /> I mentioned in my letter of August 12, 1991 the Ice Age Park & Trail Foundation <br /> would happily offer to purchase this parcel from the Maurers, either now or at <br /> some convenient time in the future, perhaps when the house is built. As you <br /> know the Foundation's offer to purchase would be based upon a fair market <br /> appraisal of the property. As mentioned in my August 12, 1991 letter, if the <br /> Foundation acquires this land we would most likely restore it to prairie or <br /> grassland. In this case the driveway along the ridge crest would form a <br /> natural firebreak for the controlled burns used to maintain the prairie. <br /> I believe the location I am suggesting for the driveway and the offer <br /> of the Foundation to purchase the land north of the driveway are a fair and <br /> mutually beneficial way to accommodate the Maurer and Glaaser families desire <br /> to enjoy their land while preserving the important natural resources located <br /> there for long-term public enjoyment, as well. I ask that you approve their <br /> request for re-zoning conditioned upon the location of the access driveway <br /> along the ridge crest as I have suggested. <br /> cc. Bill Fleck <br /> Jim Mueller, Dane County Parks Department <br /> Tom Smiley, Dane County Regional Planning Commission <br /> Mr.& Mrs. Johan Glaaser <br /> Thomas Maurer <br />