The Capital Times
www.captimes.com

Anti-sprawl initiatives don't win every vote

By Mike Ivey
November 14, 2000

They're still feuding in Palm Beach County but no recount is scheduled in Door County, where voters nixed establishing a $15 million trust to protect open space.

Even though Wisconsin's version of Cape Cod is headed toward becoming a condominium wasteland, Door County voters rejected the 10-year land conservation plan by a 57 percent majority.

The plan would have boosted property taxes by about $25 per year on a $100,000 house but would have funded purchase of environmentally sensitive lands.

"It's a challenge any time you're asking people if they want to raise their own taxes,'' said Jordy Jordahl, government relations director for the Nature Conservancy, which had backed the referendum effort.

Jordahl added that the conservative political makeup of Door County also worked against the referendum, which was opposed by a consortium of business groups and some members of the county board. Opponents argued the plan would actually accelerate growth by encouraging landowners to sell their property for development rather than pay the higher taxes.

While the Door County effort failed, there was better news in Sheboygan County where an advisory referendum on establishing a stewardship program passed by nearly a 69 percent majority.

The county board there now will have to consider how to fund the project.

Supporters acknowledge the vote might have been closer if a tax increase was included. But they also point out that land conservation appears to enjoy wide support.

"We can't afford to wait 10 years,'' said Kristi Sorenson of the Sheboygan Area Land Conservancy.

Where tourism is fueling land pressures in Door County, the big issue in Sheboygan County is loss of farmland. Sorenson said the scenic beauty of the northern Kettle Moraine is helping to drive a hot real estate market.

"We've got people paying over $10,000 an acre for three-acre lots,'' she said.

Those are bargain prices in Dane County, where voters in April 1999 overwhelming approved spending an additional $30 million over the next decade to buy about 9,000 acres of trails, wetlands and other lands. Since 1990, the county has purchased 3,625 acres for preservation, an area larger than Lake Monona.

Nationally, voters are continuing to show support for open space protection and slowing sprawl.

Preliminary results from the Land Trust Alliance in Washington, D.C., show that 141 of 165 conservation ballot initiatives passed in last week's elections. That's an 82 percent success ratio, providing more than $6.9 million in new funding.

Among the biggest winners was a $470 million sales tax increase for the St. Louis Metropolitan Park District to create the nation's first bi-state park and recreation district. Voters in Seattle backed a $198 million park and open space initiative.

And Florida voters -- at least ones who could figure out their ballots -- backed a $400 million plan in Broward County (Fort Lauderdale) to expand natural areas and parks.