COW to Review Proposal for Purchase of Lake Property

The agenda for the 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