Balance needed on Lake Holcombe development
Members of the Courier Sentinel editorial board include publisher Carol O’Leary, general manager Kris O’Leary and Star News editor Brian Wilson.
As comedian Dennis Miller once said, “A developer is someone who wants to build a house in the woods. An environmentalist is someone who already has a house in the woods.”
A group of property owners on Lake Holcombe are worried about the lake becoming too crowded, to the point where there are unsafe levels of traffic. Beyond that, is the very real concern that what makes the lake a special place, is in danger of being lost through continued development.
Of particular concern for these property owners, has been the rapid proliferation of campgrounds along the lake in recent years, with at least three new campgrounds opening in the past five years. At about 50 units per campground, this has resulted in a rapid increase in the lake population, particularly on the busiest holiday weekends.
Added to this, is the rise in Airbnb and other services, which allow people to rent out their vacation homes to temporary guests.
It is understandable those living on lake properties are worried. Their concerns have real merit. In general, people act differently when they are on vacation or “up at the lake for the weekend,” than they would behave in their own homes. Many of the behaviors common among people vacationing would be unacceptable or unthinkable if they were at their own homes.
There is also a legitimate concern with the potential shift from a residential lake with familyowned homes, to becoming commercialized and what impact this has on quality of life, and on the values of properties along the lake. Lakefront property owners throughout the state, pay a premium for their local property taxes and it is understandably aggravating, when they learn that local assessment has been inconsistent, at best.
People may not be happy about it, but at least can accept it when everyone pays their fair share of taxes. There are legitimate questions of if this has happened and is something that must be watched closely, particularly with those attempting to convert lake homes to Airbnbs.
The issues between some Lake Holcombe property owners and the town board, are the very reason comprehensive land use planning exists in Wisconsin. Planning and zoning are dirty words to many, particularly in rural areas of the state, where people want to be left alone to do what they will on their property.
Lake property owners need to have a voice in deciding the future of the lake, both as a recreational destination and a hub of commerce for the surrounding area. It is necessary to look at what the carrying load of the lake is and establish a plan on how the lake should be developed for decades to come.
Without planning in place at the local level, it will be deep-pocketed developers from out of the area who make decisions, based on their own economic interests, rather than working to maintain what is special about Lake Holcombe and its people.
