Matt Perkins
11-17-2005, 10:26 PM
I got a recent E-mail from Jena Gillman, as follows:
'thought I should give you an update on my research into what's going on with the proposed sale of the bottom of Frenchman's Coulee.
The parcel (No. 150440000 in Grant County) is zoned Rural Remote. That means the owner can put one house per 20 acres on it right now without a rezone. However, I understand that the developer is thinking of at least 20 homes which would be double or triple the density under Rural Remote. The developer may also be thinking of clustering the homes up on top of Winter Walk Wall.
I have talked with the State Department of Fisheries and Wildlife who control access to the bottom of the Coulee. They don't seem to be too happy about this development but will probably not stand in the way of a private landowner developing their own property.
I have also talked with the Grant County Planning Department. They have heard talk but no rezone has been applied for yet. So, they can't share any information until that happens.
I have also talked with The Nature Conservancy and the Trust for Public Land. Both organizations are interested and concerned - they realize the value of that land for habitat and recreation. But, for now, they're letting me be the point person to figure out what's going on.
My next step is writing a letter to the Peggy Quinn Trust, the landowner, to try to find out what they are planning. If we can engage them in a dialogue we might be able to moderate or even prevent the development of the Coulee. Of course, we would probably need some financial assistance from Nature Conservancy, Trust for Public Land, the Access Fund, and many other organizations and individuals to make this happen. In addition, the State Dept. of Fisheries and Wildlife would also have to become an active player.
I will try to keep you posted. If you want to put this note up on the FCCC site, feel free.
Thanks, Jena
'thought I should give you an update on my research into what's going on with the proposed sale of the bottom of Frenchman's Coulee.
The parcel (No. 150440000 in Grant County) is zoned Rural Remote. That means the owner can put one house per 20 acres on it right now without a rezone. However, I understand that the developer is thinking of at least 20 homes which would be double or triple the density under Rural Remote. The developer may also be thinking of clustering the homes up on top of Winter Walk Wall.
I have talked with the State Department of Fisheries and Wildlife who control access to the bottom of the Coulee. They don't seem to be too happy about this development but will probably not stand in the way of a private landowner developing their own property.
I have also talked with the Grant County Planning Department. They have heard talk but no rezone has been applied for yet. So, they can't share any information until that happens.
I have also talked with The Nature Conservancy and the Trust for Public Land. Both organizations are interested and concerned - they realize the value of that land for habitat and recreation. But, for now, they're letting me be the point person to figure out what's going on.
My next step is writing a letter to the Peggy Quinn Trust, the landowner, to try to find out what they are planning. If we can engage them in a dialogue we might be able to moderate or even prevent the development of the Coulee. Of course, we would probably need some financial assistance from Nature Conservancy, Trust for Public Land, the Access Fund, and many other organizations and individuals to make this happen. In addition, the State Dept. of Fisheries and Wildlife would also have to become an active player.
I will try to keep you posted. If you want to put this note up on the FCCC site, feel free.
Thanks, Jena