Smarth
Growth and Zoning
Some farmland will be developed, that's a certainty, but it
how it does get developed shouldn't be a surprise. The
county needs a clear land use plan and we need to deal with
abandoned properties.
Fortunately, the county board has decided to review our
zoning laws. Unfortunately, and in an apparent conflict of
interest, the board has handed over the zoning law rewrite
to a developer. The plan is in the final stages of
development, and I am not impressed with it.
We need to develop reasonable long range land use plans
with built-in flexibility and rewrite zoning laws only
after working with the cities, villages, school districts,
townships, and other special districts that will be
affected by these changes. Where we build homes and
businesses affects not only the natural landscape, but the
economic landscape of the county.
Taxing districts should know what type of development is
planned for their areas to better plan for long term needs.
The county needs to provide that framework, and I'll work
for this smart growth.
Sincerely,
Paul Gorski,
County Board Member, District Five
Democratic Candidate for
Winnebago County Board Chairman
PS
One way to control sprawl is to give the Forest Preserve
District "legal objector" status, read more about
that here.