Unveiling a 20-year plan

0 Comments | La Crosse Tribune, Feb 25, 2005 | by McAlpine, Linda

TOWN OF ONALASKA, Wis. - More than 70 people got a glimpse Thursday of what the town may look like 20 years from now, and most seemed to like what they saw.

An open house was held at the town hall to unveil the town's proposed comprehensive plan.

Colorful maps on easels showed how, for future land use planning, the town has been divided into four districts.

The area along Hwys. 53 and 35 comprise the Great River Road District, where commercial development would be encouraged.

Within the Brice Prairie District, rezoning of exclusive agriculture land for development would be prohibited in order to promote conservation and agriculture.

The area designated as Halfway Creek District would allow only conservation residential - a new category of development that would occur near or adjacent to naturally or archeologically significant areas - and agricultural land uses.

The Sand Lake District also would be limited to conservation residential and agricultural uses, to protect the wooded areas and steep slopes of the coulees.

"The amount of public input into the plan has been impressive, and I think they've tried to take into account all the members of the town and tried to be fair to all," town resident Gary Fischer said of the plan.

More than 40 written comments submitted during the open house also were in favor of the plan.

But town resident Joan Halverson voiced some doubts after viewing the maps.

"I'm kind of afraid of it," she said. "I don't do any farming, but I know some farmers who want to retire and maybe want to sell their land for development. With this plan, it doesn't look like they could."

Nick Lelack, senior planner with Schreiber/Anderson Associates, Inc. of Madison, which worked with town officials on the plan, said the town also is considering a purchase of development rights program to use with the comprehensive plan.

By purchasing development rights from a property owner, the town can preserve open spaces while compensating the the owner, Lelack said.

The town's Planning Commission later voted, 6-1, to approve a 30-day review of the plan. It will be forwarded to the city of Onalaska, village of Holmen and La Crosse County.

A copy of the plan can be found online at www.saamadison.com/t-onalaska.htm. Copies are available to read at the town hall as well.

Town of Onalaska residents would wish to comment on the plan can do so by mail, to W7052 Second St., Onalaska, WI 54650, or by e-mail at townofonalaska@charter.net.