ccm19711123November 19, 1971
TO TEE HONORABLE ALDERMEN:
Following your adoption of Resolution #209-71, As Amended, on
November 9, 1971, I have given a great deal of thought to the affect
it could have on the future of our city.
My evaluation was based on the premise that we are all in agreement
with the following:
1. Concern for the health and welfare of the citizens in this
community is one of our greatest responsibilities.
2. Permitting overuse of the sewerage treatment facilities which
could result in the pollution of Big Muskego Lake and the Root
River Watershed is an unacceptable means of permitting addit-
ional growth.
3. The balanced growth of this community is not only desirable
but essential if it is to be strong and able to provide for
the needs of its citizens.
4. The tax rate for school and city purposes must be kept within
reasonable bounds and not become oppressive if we hope to
encourage commercial and industrial growth.
5. The Plan Commission is charged with the responsibility of
providing for the orderly growth of the community. Therefore,
they must be a part of any decisions which are made relating
to growth rate if utter chaos is to be avoided.
In regard to Resolution i/209-71, As Amended, I would like to
point out that the philosophy, at least in part, is contrary to what
the majority of the members of the Plan Commission agreed to at our
joint meeting held on September 27, 1971. I would like to suggest
therefore, that whatever solution is finally arrived at, the Plan
Commission be asked to concur.
You will recall that the resolution has opened up for possible
development 65% of all lands in the sewer districts and that building
permits would be denied when the treatment plant reaches 95% capacity.
The term sewer districts extends the area for development with sewers
far beyond that which was considered to be feasible considering the
limited capacity of the treatment facilities.
One of the problems which I can foresee is the possibility of
stagnation of growth for our city. It is my opinion that unless a
developer can be assured of a reasonable chance that his development
will be successful he will go to other communities. The possibility
of his being denied building permits after only 10 to 30 per cent of
development has taken place would make it prohibitive to install sewers,
roads, etc. I would also like to point out that it is not good planning
to have several developments standing idle or to have them only 10 to
30 per cent completed since the additional costs to provide school and
municipal services could be substantial.
Page 2.
Finally, the resolution has failed to recognize there is a
distinct difference between the northeast and northwest sewer
districts, not only in sewerage plant capacity, but also in lands
available for development. It is my feeling that where a percentage
is acceptable in the northeast district we would not have this
latitude in the northwest district since most of the available
capacity should be reserved for industrial and commercial develop-
ment and the development of city-owned lands.
In discussing this matter with several of the aldermen, I
advised them that it was my intention to present for their con-
sideration a resolution which would clearly state the city's
position in the matter of growth rate and would establish a policy
which hopefully would be of mutual benefit to the city, landowners
and developer. This resolution is on this evening's agenda.
It is for this reason I have chosen to veto your action on
Resolution #209-71, As Amended, and respectfully ask you to sustain
that veto.
Sincerely yours,
Jerome J. Gottfried, Mayor
City of Muskego
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