COW to Review Proposal for Purchase of Lake Property
City of Muskego is going back to the lake for possible development
Photos
The agenda for the Committee of the Whole meeting has added discussion of proposals to purchase property from Michael Dilworth, who owns two properties adjacent to each other along Janesville Road across from Pioneer Drive.
Along with Dilworth, the two additional properties to the east would also comprise the overall development. Nanette and Judith Gardetto own these properties, and according to Dilworth's attorney, Gerald Boisits, are favorable to the plan.
The first proposal would include access to the lake along 700 feet of frontage, and would present "an unprecedented opportunity for the City of Muskego to acquire lands along Little Muskego Lake from Janesville Road currently found in the Muskego 2020 Comprehensive Plan," according to Boisits' letter.
A five-acre portion would be reserved as park land and feature a beach area. Additional residential parcels would provide tax revenue that would help to offset an estimated $60,000 loss from the purchase of the current properties.
The second development could "deny the City the opportunity to ever acquire land along the lake," said Boisits, who will present the proposals Tuesday night. This proposal offers a heavier presence of condominiums and no public access.
Officials are cautious not to give these proposal a name, and felt the previous "Bring Back the Lake" concerns were better addressed this time around.
Specifically, the proposal is being driven by the homeowners and not the city, according to Mayor Kathy Chiaverotti. In addition, the parcels for sale would cost about $4 million, less than half of the previous cost for the proposal that was conceived two years ago.
While the public is welcome to listen to the discussion, the format and protocol of a Committee of the Whole meeting does not allow public comment, and, "at this time, the item to be discussed is the interest in city investment and acquiring appraisals," according to the letter from Boisits to the Common Council.
"Appraisals come first with potential offer to purchase and Council decision at a future Council meeting. Potential park amenities, in the event a purchase is completed, would be addressed with citizen input at the Parks and Recreation Board," he explained.
The Committee of the Whole will meet on Tuesday, August 23 at 6pm or directly after the Finance Committee meeting. The meeting will take place in the first floor Alderman's room
DB
11:39 am on Friday, August 19, 2011
The only "private residents" that are driving these proposals are those who stand to make a lot of money by selling their recession-devalued properties at an inflated price to the city. Muskego residents are not interested in spending city dollars on a park, especially in a recession.
Bryan K.
4:18 pm on Friday, August 19, 2011
I think that this is a wonderful opportunity, but it is also the last time that we could ever get the chance to open up the southern portion of the lake to the entire community. DO the math: southern beach/park + new Janesville Road + new businesses = One heck of a better "downtown" than we have now. Muskego, make the right decision and buy the property!
Lois Greer
4:26 pm on Friday, August 19, 2011
The summer season is short in Muskego. I'm not saying the City shouldn't go ahead with plans, but be sure that good use will be made of this park year round. There is a referendum coming up in November concerning new schools--don't let the new park plans affect the votes of citizens on fixed incomes or very low incomes this time around.
Kammy
5:11 pm on Friday, August 19, 2011
I strongly support the city's consideration of the purchase of land on the lake. This is needed to enhance our downtown area and give our city a true identity as a lake community. What a great opportunity for this city's residents
The Warrior
9:27 am on Saturday, August 20, 2011
Everyone, if there is to be a park at this location think about the possible economic benefit it can have for the city. Janesville Road is going to be transformed and we need to draw new business to this part of the city. Having a public park at this location will help draw in potential customers to these new businesses. The recession will not last forever and we need to strike now. This is our last and only opportunity. By the way, this is more important than new schools. Our kids will still be able to be taught and new schools can be built anytime but this is our last chance of actually doing something with this natural jewel--Little Muskego Lake.
Simple Bacon
10:27 am on Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Faced with a choice I think I wold put my tax $$ towards schools rather than another park on the lake. Employers will care very little about a view of the lake if the schools are falling apart. And that school expense is not a choice it's coming one way or another so would you prefer to pay more on schools later to get some park benches now?
Simple Bacon
8:39 pm on Tuesday, August 23, 2011
OK, after listening to the presentation to the COW I too am now very concerned about the potential for overcrowding at Idle Isle to result in someone getting shoved into the lake.
Seriously....sounded like a threat in the presentation - buy these two properties or we will build 38 condos on the lake. To paraphrase Ald Snead "...one or the other is going to occur...".
Kammy
9:17 pm on Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Muskego's residents should not feel "threatened' by the Dilworth proposal. It represents an opportunity lost or gained for the present as well as future generations.
Little Muskego Lake Owner
12:17 pm on Monday, August 29, 2011
I'm all for development in Muskego. Let's face it our city is in dire need of some character and a reason for the people of Muskego to shop, eat and spend money in our own town instead of driving elsewhere. However, how much money is this going to cost you and me. For me, that's really the bottom line. Is it really fair for millionaires to get money from us to make more money? If Dilworth, (who never uses the lake by the way) really feels a warm fuzzy for the people of this town and so wants EVERYONE to see the beauty of the lake than he should donate it to the city like other magnanimous people did like the Horns and the Holtz'. Go ahead Dilworth, build your retail and your condos, truly make this a better town but I say do it on your own dime!
Kammy
3:56 pm on Monday, August 29, 2011
Get yourself educated on this proposal. Wait to hear the cost, then learn how much this will increase your taxes before judging. It's time that more people get to enjoy little Muskego, not just lake owners. And, don't give me the same old garbage that we can all go to Idle Island or those wonderfully hidden lake accesses!
Robert Bueckers
2:31 pm on Saturday, September 3, 2011
Through all the comments I have read about the city purchasing this property with my tax money, I have not heard anything about the ugly tree farm in the middle of our existing downtown area. I realize there is a pending lawsuit between the city and the owner but I would think that no action would be taken on the Dilworth property until the tree farm issue is settled.