"The Clarence Township Board discussed the following subjects and more at its October 10 meeting.

The Board spent most of the meeting discussing the proposed set of amendments to the Township Zoning Ordinance that the Township Planning Commission recommended in August. And most of this discussion involved a proposed Resource Conservation District that roughly corresponds to the Turtle Cove portion of Duck Lake.

Prospective Turtle Cove developer Pat Feldspauch attended the meeting and objected to the way that this zoning classification would limit his condo development plans. He expressed a belief that the action was specifically aimed at stopping his project, and stated that he checked before proceeding and was told that Turtle Cove was zoned R-2 Residential by two Township officials.

Some of us disputed these characterizations and described the ambiguous nature of the Turtle Cove zoning and the reasons for doubting that it had ever been zoned Residential. I also noted that the latest (2002) recorded sales price of $40,000 for this six to seven acre property was clearly not a residential waterfront price.

The Township Board unanimously passed the proposed zoning amendments (including Turtle Cove) following this discussion, and Mr. Feldspauch suggested that he would see the Township in court. While Mr. Feldspauch is not apt to win there, he could cost the Township a considerable amount of aggravation and legal fees. So Duck Lake area residents who heavily favor protecting Turtle Cove should appreciate the Township Board’s actions and take time to thank our Board members.

In other business, the Board voted to retain planning consultant Mark Eidelsen to develop a training program for members of the Township Planning Commission. This work is expected to begin next April.

Supervisor Bob Fisher reported that the DNR has granted permission to construct a dry hydrant on its Prairie Lake boating access site (for fire fighting purposes). The existing dry hydrant at the Duck Lake access site will probably be improved at the same time.