LIVING HERE
The wrong right of way and hardship of easement.
The 12th article on the plan commission agenda had to do with beautification. A great word and, if properly implemented to action, is laudatory. What’s the problem that cropped up during the discussion about this seemingly great ordinance that would extend easements on each side of Highway (currently set at 10 feet from the edge of that highway) out to forty feet.
That movement of the easement, only to be enforced when the property changes hands (and thereby sort of burying this decision on into the future) sets the stage for many lawsuits. It seems that in the State of Wisconsin, that moving an easement onto private property further takes an act that’s currently called ‘imminent domain.’ That act, when declaring private property public (which an easement basically does in many ways) the state or municipality can take the property for an easement, as they are stating, but they must have state approval and also pay the current landowners for the loss of value the property will certainly suffer when such easements might go into effect.
The new property owners acquiring the land would have much less control over that property than they might otherwise have and therefore the property would be worth less. The current landowners are finding out about this new ‘beautification’ plan and are figuring out how much it might cost them and what they have to do about it. Opposition to this plan is growing, as evidenced by the first voiced disagreement by affected citizens at the Monday night meeting.
January has brought warm and well above-average temperatures to southern Wisconsin.
What does this mean for the activities dependent on normally much colder weather? The ice castle located in Geneva National has experienced some melting, but they are still preparing to open by the end of January. Of course, that depends on the upcoming weather which has remained warm but also windy and rainy. The ice artisans are taking advantage of the cold nights to make the icicles but need weeks of freezing temperatures to finish placing them to complete the castle. Other winter-related businesses are also making adjustments to stay open during this mild season. Alpine Valley Ski Resort has been making extra snow and keep packing it down, adding layers in an effort to keep all twenty-one runs open. The maintenance staff works throughout the nights that drop 28 degrees or lower to keep up with making sure there’s enough snow.
As of now there is an average of a 24-inch snow base with more being added as temps allow. What about Winterfest? The yearly National Snow Sculpting Competition begins the first week of February. Teams need colder temps to carve and sculpt their creations. There have been years where it’s so warm they melt before judging is complete or how about the year of the polar vortex? That specific year it was too cold and dangerous for them to work outside. As much as we may enjoy a mild winter, let’s hope that temps cool down a little so everyone can enjoy all that winter has to offer.
