The following letter was sent by Connie Threinen to the Middleton Times Tribune:

Some years ago, there was talk and some planning for development of an area between County Highways Q and M and south of Oncken Road in the Middleton-Westport area.  No development did take place then but now Terrence Wall has proposed a 910 acre development containing dwellings, office and retail buildings, and some open space–all attractively designed, I feel sure. But I am opposed and intend to go to the Regional Plan Commission hearing on November 12 to oppose the application for an urban services area. 

Why am I opposed?  Because Time has brought two major changes in our area and the world–Population Growth and Climate Change,--which together require some new ways lest we humans spoil the planet.

First: on population growth. More people craving more land was a long American tradition, but the result has been Sprawl, inefficient and  unattractive. Furthermore, it has taken some of the best farmland in the world for urban-type structures at a time when food is becoming scarce in many parts of the world and, even here, more expensive. Wiser land-use would protect and preserve agricultural land and would group urban activities together within existing municipalities. Unwisely, the Bishops Bay plan would create a whole new community apart from the existing city and requiring more driving, new police and fire services, perhaps a new school and new water and sewer services.

A Bishops Bay development would increase the traffic congestion that is already a problem on highway M at a time when road-building, although a profit-making business and a job-creator, is seen also as a consumer of land and a producer of Sprawl. Furthermore, the motor vehicles so essential to sprawl-type living are recognized everywhere as a cause of air pollution which, itself, is in part a cause for Climate Change.

Now: Climate Change. The area north of Lake Mendota is a sponge for waters flowing into the Yahara chain of lakes and it should be kept that way. Most of the wetlands there are already set aside in a Natural Resource Area. While the Bishops Bay property has not been so specified at this time, its development would affect the whole hydrologic system. Water experts and careful observers alike are predicting heavy rainfalls in this part of the country for the near future even as drought is the worrisome prediction in other places. While we may feel fortunate for our good water supplies both above and below ground, we must consider the problems of flooding and adopt preventive methods wherever possible. Preventive method #1: retain wetlands! We should not forget what happened at Lake Delton last year or the high water on Fish and Crystal Lakes or the serious flooding here in the Madison area in 2008. Very heavy rains and the resulting high water tables that are being seen at present may be the precursor of even higher lake levels with costly damage to buildings and grounds and especially to crops and farmland. It could even be that some later climate change could bring drought, and then water saved in wetlands would have a different benefit.

Our society is learning how valuable open space and wetlands are to slowing the flow of water–to hold it back where it is useful for birds and animals and fish and frogs.  How unwise to take their homes away from them just to make more homes for people.  It is not as if Bishops Bay was the only place for homes for people or even a good place for them. As stated earlier, CTH M is already very busy, and no agency has plans and money to build a North Mendota Parkway. Or another new school. But many are hoping and planning for commuter rail service. Middleton is ready a stop at Greenway Station and spaces along the way appropriate for new neighborhoods that would have the advantages of being near to urban services, stores, schools, and increased public transportation. There are better places for growth than Bishops Bay.

Population Growth and Climate Change are challenging us to question old ways and create new ones. To be successful, the new ones must be mutually beneficial. If the Bishops Bay proposal were to be approved and built it would be a destructive step that  would only delay adaptations to new realities. 

That is why I oppose granting permission for extending the urban service area to the proposed Bishops Bay development. At the November 12 hearing of the Regional Plan Commission I will urge that the application be denied. I hope you will be there too.