Summary of Comments from 1st Town Comprehensive Planning Meeting

Marc Robertson, 1/31/05

1) Issues and Opportunities

2) Housing
   a) Density limits
   b) Blend development with natural character of land (hilltop development).
   c) Small vs. large parcel development
   d) Income diversity (land prices & taxes)
   e) Age diversity (affordable for retired to remain,allowance for retired parents)
   f) Transfer of development rights
   g) Maintain agricultural/rural/natural character
   h) Rate of development (building permits/year)
   i) Develop only designated areas
   j) "Green" building methods
   k) Enforcement of rules
   l) "agricultural" vs. "nonagricultural" housing
   m) Keep development one residence at a time

3) Transportation
   a) Keep twisty roads w/vegetated shoulders (or not - safety)
   b) Lower speed limits
   c) Provide services efficiently
   d) Public motorized & non-motorized paths in addition to roads
   e) Clean roadsides
   f) Restrict right-of-way condemnation
   g) Control bicycle events
   h) Discourage through-traffic
   i) Encourage car pooling or mass transit
   j) "rural" view from roads

4) Utilities & Community Facilities
   a) Emphasize renewable resources
   b) Assure support for schools
   c) Make sure that infrastructure keeps pace w/development
   d) Facilitate sense of community & community involvement

5) Agricultural, Natural and Cultural Resources
   a) Preserve Town as agricultural township
   b) Support agricultural enterprise diversity
   c) Protect native plant & animal species/inhibit exotic species & pests
   d) Support quality hardwood forests
   e) Reduce use of non-renewable resources
   f) Protect groundwater supply & safety
      1) Sanitary regulations
      2) Wetland/woodland/natural area preservation
   g) Protect air quality
   h) Protect family, cultural and architectural history
   i) Limit light pollution
   j) Town purchase of natural areas
   k) Limited logging/bulldozing
   l) Maintain ability to hunt

6) Economic Development
   a) Maintain as much individual control as possible
   b) Allow farmers/retired the income from sale of land
   c) Support "sustainable" businesses
   d) Control size of commercial buildings & business operations
   e) Enhance self-sufficiency through local economic opportunity
   f) Support tradesmen, craft workers
   g) no cell phone/radio towers
   h) Limit economic development -- let MH & BE provide services

7) Intergovernmental Cooperation
   a) Safeguard/ expand autonomy of Township
   b) Protect against domination by Dane Co. urban planners
   c) Cooperate w/other communities; regulatory consistency
   d) Minimize county and state mandates
   e) Prevent "urbanization" of our town government
   f) Closer relationship to county & state programs
   g) Work w/other local govts to defend comprehensive plans
   h) More comfortable chairs in town hall

8) Land Use -- Included in above categories