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About subdivisions and shopping centers, about traffic and taxes.
But there’s also concern about steps local governments might take to control that development if it’s at the expense of property owners’ rights.
About 30 people gathered Wednesday inside the Holland Town Hall on McHugh Road to discuss the carrots and sticks La Crosse County might use to influence development in its new comprehensive plan.
Outside the hall, two baseball fields bustled with young families and grandparents watching youth baseball games. The lot was jammed with cars and SUVs — evidence of how much development this area has seen, and a taste of what’s coming.
La Crosse County needs about 5,000 acres of new development in the coming 20 years, according to estimates prepared for the new comprehensive plan.
But county officials would rather not see the area’s most productive farmland consumed for houses and shopping centers. Much of that land already is zoned for exclusive agriculture, a “stick” that will protect some of it.
But officials are looking at “carrots,” such as purchasing development rights to some properties so they can remain agricultural without the owner feeling financial pressure to develop.
At the meeting, some residents expressed skepticism about purchase of development rights, known as PDR, arguing they interfere with the free market and would be permanent.
“Nobody’s trying to shove anything down anybody’s throat,” countered Jay Fernholz, a member of Holland’s Plan Commission.
“Yes, they are,” said Doug Shefelbine of rural Holmen. “Because they’re restricting our zoning and then they’re saying we’ll give you PDR money for those who voluntarily sell their development rights. If you don’t want to sell your development rights, you’re still stuck with the zoning that you can’t do anything with your land.”
George Hammes, who chairs the county’s zoning committee and is Holland town chairman, said nobody’s making any more land, especially farmland. “If you put a house on a property, it’s forever,” said Hammes.
With feedback from this week’s meetings, members of the county’s Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee will draft steps to put the plan into action. The county board probably won’t act on adopting the entire plan until December, said Supervisor Tara Johnson.
Wednesday’s meeting in Holland was one of five being held this week. The final two are tonight:
