August 1, 2005
Proposed Development Update

According to two articles recently published in the local papers, two projects of note are moving forward with plans for the development of their well known properties.

A Big Foot Farms representative appeared before the Village of Walworth Plan Commission last Wednesday night. They are proposing 3000 residential units, a commercial district, a school, a train station and more for their 987 acre site. They estimated this would take approximately 10 to 20 years to build out. There was a discussion about annexing into the Village from the Town with what appeared to me to be an implied threat that if Mr. Shodeen didn’t get what he wanted, they would incorporate the development themselves.

Lake Geneva Raceway was also in the news displaying their latest proposal to develop over 400 residential units on the 179 acre parcel. Suffice it to say there was little in the way of attempts at conservation on the site.

Despite our having reached out to both of these developers in the recent past, it would appear as though we have had little or no impact on their thinking. Having said that, it should be noted that a developer isn’t going to propose anything less than everything they can think of to cram on the site. Ultimately backing down in a negotiating strategy aimed at protecting their core desires. What those may be, will be slowly revealed over the many hearings each is likely to be subject to during the next several years.

What are we doing in the mean time?

We will begin to visit with officials from the Village and Town of Walworth, the City of Lake Geneva and Walworth County. The purpose will be to determine their feelings about what’s been presented. Once known, we will craft a program aimed at aiding their efforts to ensure a more responsible approach to the development of these parcels.

This work will be over a long period of time and is at the forefront of what we have promised to do for our community. We will make a difference in the discussion. And with the help of many, we will promote a more balanced approach to the development of the lakes area.