FREE WHITEWATER

Planning

Bargaining & Planning

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There have been months of controversy over the possibility of residential first floor housing in our downtown.

Setting aside how this issue has been debated, considered, and decided, here’s my take in support of first floor housing subject to conditional use approval.

Traditionally, first floor housing in the downtown was subject to approval only as a conditional use. More recently, at the urging of members of Downtown Whitewater, Inc., and many others, there was a request to impose a moratorium on approval of conditional use permits until the Planning Commission had the opportunity to offer a recommendation.

The choices that have been before us: Ban, reject a ban, or amend with a two year sunset clause (leaving a future Council to decide whether to renew the ban before its expiration)? Many have spoken in favor of a moratorium or ban over these last months. There is no dispute that those who favor this approach favor it strongly.

You may know, too, that I have been willing to offer a dissenting view; that willingness is present in this case, too. Someone who speaks in dissent, by definition, does not favor decision by plebiscite. One should be willing to advocate in spite of a majority on the other side.

Readers know that I was only lukewarm toward a temporary moratorium against the Planning Commission’s ability to grant conditional uses for first floor housing in the Downtown. Without a moratorium, the Planning Commission could vote in favor, or against, a given conditional use request.

If I would not prefer a lengthy moratorium, then I would not favor a ban, either. Opposition to a ban does not mean support of first floor housing in any given case; I would favor keeping the option available.

A conditional use request need not be approved, and by its nature could impose requirements on the request for a first floor downtown residence (size, floor plan, etc.). I have contended that these imposed requirements may prove onerous. Still, they offer an applicant an opportunity where a ban offers none.

I have opposed a ban. That would not settle the issue — but leave possibilities: conditional use approval, or conditional use rejection. Fair enough to me, and consistent with the idea that applicants could offer proposals as a bargain with a municipality or municipal board to win approval.

If the price of approval seemed to high, then no deal (with either side possibly deciding against the proposal). As I noted before, if the conditions seem too burdensome, it will be evident though open, public bargaining and debate.

I would not foreclose the possibility of bargaining and a deal.

Cartoons & Comics

Friday Morning Cartoon

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Here’s a Felix the Car cartoon from the 1930s, in color. The use of color gives the cartoon a completely different appearance from last week’s cartoon. In this short film, Felix meets King Cole, and battles some ghosts. Enjoy.

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Daily Bread

Daily Bread: May 23, 2008

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Good morning, Whitewater

It’s a private sector, civil society only day: there are no public meetings scheduled for Whitewater today.

In Wisconsin history on this day in 1903, according to the Wisconsin Historical Society, Wisconsin became the first state to elect candidates directly in a primary election, rather than through a convention or caucus. The progressive proposal was itself put to a direct vote, approved in a statewide referendum one year later.

The National Weather Service calls for 60 degrees, and partly sunny. For the Farmers’ Almanac, it’s a prediction of heavy rains.

City

Common Council Meeting for May 6th

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Our Common Council met on May 6th, and there are two topics that I will briefly address.

The local bus company contacted the city to request a change in the city ordinance regulating use of warning lights for school buses. There were two challenges with this request. No one from the bus company was able to attend the meeting, and the ordinance as proposed was unclear (did the bus company want discretion in the use of warning lights at all times, or discretion only occasionally?) The discussion at Council revealed that there was uncertainty, and so the matter was postponed for further discussion.

If a private concern wants a proposed ordinance change that directly and specifically involves its business, a principal of the concern should be available to answer any questions. The wording of the proposed change should also be consistent with what the business wants. That’s probably the least that a city should expect before considering the matter.

There was also a discussion of whether a Common Council member should sit on the Police and Fire Commission. The Council decided that the answer should be yes, but that the change would not take effect for one year (as there was a nomination process already underway for 2008).

There’s time (a year) to write about whether it’s permissible for a Common Council member to sit on the PFC. (Some cities in Wisconsin have this practice; there is a Wisconsin Attorney General’s opinion that contends a city may not place a Council member on a PFC.)

In any event, though, if one contends that our present arrangement has been working well, then might as well contend that anything works well.

Uncategorized

One Year On

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It was a year ago that FREE WHITEWATER began. Since then, there have been hundreds of posts, on dozens of topics. Many have addressed the administration of justice in our small town, and other posts considered the right of free expression. My interest in these topics is unchanged.

Nonetheless, I did not begin writing for those topics alone, however important they are. If there had been less to consider, I would have addressed other topics sooner. I cannot say that the opportunity will present itself; events often guide commentary.

I can say that, as with other blogs from across our state, there’s more to write, about topics explored less fully than I might have wished. I’d enjoy writing more – and in greater detail — on planning, or LP politics, for example.

When I began, and for about two months afterward, this website had few visitors. I thought that it would probably stay small forever, and I was contented with that number of readers. I wrote on topics that interested me, without trimming my sails, and without expecting much change in readership. Even a few dozen readers each week seemed like a large number.

Month in, month out, readership has grown, and now I have a steady readership of about twenty-two hundred unique individuals (excluding search engines, etc.) visiting each week. Of those readers, many visit several times during a given week. They’re readers from Whitewater, across Wisconsin, and places farther afield in America.

A new year waits, with posts unwritten, on topics unknown.

Daily Bread

Daily Bread: May 22, 2008

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Good morning, Whitewater

There are no public meetings scheduled for Whitewater today.

In our schools, it’s market day pickup at Lincoln School. At 7:00 p.m., there will be a middle school show choir and jazz band concert at the middle school.

The National Weather Service predicts a high of 66 degrees, and mostly sunny. For the Farmers’ Almanac, it’s a prediction of heavy rains. There’s the problem of the Farmers’ Almanac’s long range approach — when they’re far off the mark, they’re far off the mark for up to three straight days (as they group long range predictions into threes).

In Wisconsin history on this day in 1968, according to the Wisconsin Historical Society, Wisconsin’s professional basketball team was named the Milwaukee Bucks. Apparently 14,000 people suggested entries, of which forty-five suggested the Milwaukee Bucks as the team name.

Planning

Planning Commission Meeting from May 19th

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The latest Planning Commission meeting was Monday, May 19th. I’ll offer comments on a few parts of an agenda-rich meeting.

Currently, the city planner’s post is vacant, and consultants to the city are fulfilling a portion of that role.

The Planning Commission elected a new chairperson (Kristine Zaballos), vice-chairperson (Greg Torres), and filled roles where Planning Commission members attend other committees — among them representative to the Community Development Authority (Tom Miller) and Tree Commission (David Stone).

There were no opposing candidates for these positions, and it suggests — I think — a group that generally has come to understand the lay of the land, so to speak. That’s not true in every case, but likely for most on the commission.

I also thought it was a gracious gesture to ask, and for the group to agree, for Jason Wiedenhoeft to chair his final meeting.

It’s also honest and fair to applicants and the board to ask an applicant for a quid pro quo (the Cordio’s Beer Here request). That gives an applicant both an opportunity and a responsibility. If you want this, then how about these requests for a conditional use….? There’s nothing categorical about it — a bit of effort on both sides will produce an accommodation. It’s straightforward, and easily understood by applicants and the community.

If the conditions are too extreme, applicants will complain, and the community will notice.

It’s the categorical that causes more trouble — a blanket declaration that something cannot happen, that they’ll be no agreement under any circumstances. Most of these matters can be decided affirmatively, if the conditions are not too onerous so as to undermine the venture.

The university is planning a new residence building at Starin and Prince. It’s a green building, and there are guidelines that assure that it truly will meet environmental conservation standards. At a time when almost every product touts its environmentally-friendly nature, it’s important to check (1) what standards are, and (2) verify compliance (as the commission did in several respects). The architects of the building are well-established, and are likely to meet verifiable guidelines.

One other aspect of this apartment project stands out, more than any other — it is designed in part to accommodate those who are disabled. One of the characteristics of our university is its role in being a friendly campus for those who disabled. Some students choose the university for that reason. It’s another reason to be proud of, and support, the campus. Fighting and overcoming barriers to higher education is part of the American dream.

Daily Bread

Daily Bread: May 21, 2008

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Good morning, Whitewater

There are no public meetings scheduled for Whitewater today.

In our schools, there are three concerts scheduled for today. At 2 p.m., and again at 7 p.m., there will be a grade band concert at Lakeview School. At 7:30 p.m., there will be a High School Choir concert in the high school auditorium.

The National Weather Service predicts a high of 64 degrees, and partly sunny. For the Farmers’ Almanac, it’s a prediction of heavy rains.

In Wisconsin history on this date, according to the Wisconsin Historical Society, there were two very different achievements: Marquette and Joliet reached the Menominee in 1673, and in 1985 a paper-airplane distance record of 193 feet was set in La Crosse. more >>

Uncategorized

Now Reading

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There’s a new feature that I have added to the site, on the right sidebar. It’s called ‘Now Reading’ it shows what a blogger has on his or her reading list. There’s also a section to add a review of books finished.

The plug in was created by Rob Miller, a college student in England, and is available to bloggers for a small donation.

I’ll write a review of a book that I recently finished, Jonah Goldberg’s popular but controversial Liberal Fascism, this week.

Daily Bread

Daily Bread: May 20, 2008

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Good morning, Whitewater

There is one public meeting scheduled for Whitewater today. At 6:30 p.m. the Common Council will meet.

In our schools, there is a scheduled fifth grade district choir concert at both 1:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. at the high school

The National Weather Service predicts a high of 64 degrees, mostly cloudy, with a chance of showers. For the Farmers’ Almanac, it’s a prediction of gusty showers, then fair.

In Wisconsin history, according to the Wisconsin Historical Society, today in 1991 a lengthy treaty rights dispute between the State of Wisconsin and the Ojibwe ended.

Lots of posts to write up this week: the Monday Planning Commission, Tuesday’s Common Council, the last two Register issues, the upcoming Libertarian Party convention, and a review of Jonah Goldberg’s Liberal Fascism, among others.

Daily Bread

Daily Bread: May 19, 2008

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Good morning, Whitewater

There are three public meetings scheduled for Whitewater today. At 4:30 p.m., the CDA business park committee will meet. At 6:00 p.m. there will be a meeting of the Alcohol Licensing Committee. At 7:00 p.m. the Planning Commission will meet.

In our schools, there is a scheduled parent advisory committee meeting at the high school at 5 p.m.

The National Weather Service predicts a high of 60 degrees, with generally sunny skies. For the Farmers’ Almanac, it’s a prediction of gusty showers, the fair.

In Wisconsin history, according to the Wisconsin Historical Society, today in 1934 was the day that the Wisconsin Progressive party was formed.

Daily Bread

Daily Bread: May 16, 2008

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Good morning, Whitewater

The Farmers’ Almanac forecasts gusty showers, and the National Weather Service predicts a slight chance of rain.

There are no public meetings scheduled in the city today.

In our school district, it’s activity night at the middle school at 7 p.m.

In Wisconsin history, according to the Wisconsin Historical Society, on this day in 1913 band leader Woody Herman (of Milwaukee) was born, and in 1919 Liberace (of West Allis) was born.

Daily Bread

Daily Bread: May 15, 2008

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Good morning, Whitewater

There are no public meetings scheduled for the city today.

There’s agreement between the National Weather Service and the Farmers’ Almanac: sunny skies today. The NWS predicts a high of 64 (the FA long-range forecast does not predict high temperatures).

According to the Wisconsin Historical Society, on this day in 1911, Janesville passed an ordinance banning fortune tellers, and also barred breweries from operating their own taverns.