Scary--Snooping far too typical

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Tobin Creek supposed third entrance from Mapquest

Village Board meeting

Some interesting discussion last night:

On the proposed variance for a cul-de-sac beyond current 800 foot limit; some thoughts and observations after Board tabled the measure for now:

• Citizen comments, especially Mike Wilkom(sp?) hit it right on the head. He and his wife own 8 plus acres and went to Village and reviewed the land use plans for The Orchard area before they purchased their land and built their home. Since the current rules only allow 800 foot cul-de-sac from main road, he and his wife thought at most there would be 8 homes of about 2 acres each (similar size to current properties in the area) because they would need other land to make a through, connecting road for two entrances. Now developer comes along and wants a variance so he can maximize the number of homes for one entrance (19 with 20 being max--Developer originally proposed 20 homes but had to give up some land for ponds). So Mr. and Mrs. Wilkom did the right thing, but if Village allows a variance, then their due diligence was wasted and the comments from Village staff that you should know what will happen with a property before you buy is now a questionable comment at best. The Village made this same comment during discussions about Bike Trail crossing to Prairie Trails West residents, but if a prospective homeowner went to the County, they would have found out the Village had no permit and would likely not receive one.
• Rick Renzuli (sp?) also spoke and had pictures of what he has had to deal with for last nine months while a new home was being built accross the street (28th Avenue) and was concerned how magnified this would be with a whole subdivision worth of construction traffic passing by his house; garbage, muddy road (he mentioned he has cleaned the road of dirt 22 times), cement trucks dumping their waste in drainage ditches...etc. (Pictures speak a thousand words and if you see someone doing something wrong, by all means get it on film. Village inspectors can't be everywhere). Rick proposed that a temporary road connection occur from Prairie Trails East to the Orchards through one of the cul-de-sac lots. Great idea since they already have to run sewer and water through same and would also make emergency access significantly shorter. One problem; The Orchard developers would have to work with PTE developer (sounds like this has already been a problem) and PTE has final plat approval and doesn't have to make any changes unless their permit expires (could sue if Village forces changes). Clyde Allen did the right thing by proposing a motion that would require a permanent connection occur instead of temporary road but he was quickly admonished by Mr. Pollocoff and his motion was not seconded and died (I think Clyde got off lightly considering the way Mr. Lauer and Mr. Tiahnybok were treated by Mr. Pollocoff and Mr. Kumorkiewicz in the past for similar issues). Clyde took it pretty well and it was nice to see some discussion about this issue by all members of the Board and staff.
• Monica Yuhas asked whether there were similar cul-de-sacs like the proposed one and both Jean Werbie and Mr. Pollocoff said many (greater than 40). What neither added was the streets they mentioned are mostly old streets that currently don't terminate in a cul-de-sac and most will eventually connect as through streets. How many times has this type of variance been granted where a permanent cul-de-sac was intended? And how many of the current streets will permanently terminate in a cul-de-sac? I'd like to see the answer to those questions before one claims 'many'. And, if there have been 'many' such grantings, then the whole idea of a variance is also questionable since these are supposed to be one time uses and not 'whenever we feel like it'. Mr. Braig, who is a current Plan Commissioner, was sitting in the audience shaking his head so one might think this variance idea isn't that great.
• Steve Kumorkiewicz asked about putting No Construction Traffic signage at 116th Street and 28th Avenue. When Addition 1 went into PTW area with similar signage, the trucks still rumbled down our street even though the road didn't go through. They had to back up and turn around by the pond and field where all the kids play and go back down the street to the required entrance (my wife videotaped a few times--scared the crap out of them!). Make the fine for violating an attention getter if you really want compliance.

Another question is what will happen during the proposed road improvements on 116th Street, slated for 2010 and 2011? What affect will this have on The Orchard and Prairie Trails East construction, along with the areas existing residents access to their homes (both 26th and 28th Avenues plus Tobin Woods), since nothing for The Orchard can happen until PTE has been started and the roads are in place? Is there a chance all this could be ongoing at same time? If so, it would put quite a strain on the one entrance from Russell Road for residents, trucks, busses,...etc. I also remember that when PTE proposed similar cul-de-sacs greater than allowed length years ago, Village said that it shouldn't happen (both Chief's didn't like the idea) and that's why they needed the Kenosha County Bike Trail road crossing. So I was fairly surprised to see no concerns raised from either Fire Chief or Police Chief since the proposed emergency Bike Trail crossing won't really help due to the current proposed road configuration to get to The Orchards as it is quite long and out-of-the-way with current approved final plat for PTE (down 39th Avenue to 122nd Street and all the way through and around pond in Prairie Trails West, across the bike trail--but first have to wait for emergency access only gate to open--East through PTE to near 26th Avenue, North on 26th, then over to 28th Avenue on 121st, up 28th Avenue to 120th Street and all the way to the end of 120th Street to the cul-de-sac) In addition, coming from 116th is a crapshoot at best with such a narrow road. But in the end, I'll bet developer will get his variance without a permanent road or even a temporary one based on past experince with issues raised by residents before Plan Commission and the Board.

Mr. Pollocoff presented about Snow removal and associated costs and where the Village currently is financially. See RAG's comments (click here) for more discussion or video (click here)/audio files (click here) when available. Just one clarification in Mr. Pollocoff's presentation, the symbol for Magnesium Chloride is MgCl2 (the two should be a subscript), not Mgcl (used to help salt melt ice and snow).

I had to leave after item D so can't say much about any of the other items, but I did here there was an issue with the Consent Agenda raised by Mr. Allen.

What a Concept!

Just a bill: State checkbook
By Stacy Forster
Friday, Feb 15 2008, 03:10 PM
Madison -- A group of Wisconsin lawmakers wants the state to open up its checkbook. In a bill to be introduced soon, Sen. Bob Wirch (D-Pleasant Prairie) and Republican Reps. Bill Kramer of Waukesha and Robin Vos of Racine would require the state Department of Administration to maintain a Web site that reports all state expenditures more than $100. In addition to providing copies of digitized checks for expenses that top $100, the Web site would offer terms and recipients of contracts and grants, and salary and benefit information. "The only way to rein in the monstrous spending habits of government is to make the spenders accountable to the people," Vos said in a statement. The lawmakers said the idea is based on a federal act sponsored by U.S. Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois, a Democractic presidential contender, and U.S. Rep. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.); the national Web site will be launched later this year.

Miller, Coors may base venture in Chicago

Why not Pleasant Prairie?

A Fundraiser Advertisement

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I hope this finds all of you happy, healthy and enjoying life. Thank you for taking the time to read my message!

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Short Plan Commission Meeting

The Village Plan Commission meeting last night was only 15 minutes long. I think that's the shortest meeting I have attended at the Village over the years. The two items were well described and there were a few questions from some of the Commissioners. Some who might have been late wouldn't even have made it before the meeting ended. Just two of us in audience who weren't Plan Commission Members, Village Board Members or staff to witness the meeting. Even though it was a short meeting, the two items were of interest.