By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
A proposed zoning change aimed at protecting single-family residences could alter who lives along portions of North Fremont Street in the City of Whitewater.
Council member James Winship, who represents the area under scrutiny, has proposed changing zoning on 55 properties to a one- and two-family residential district.
If the zoning change is applied, it would mean no more than two unrelated persons would be permitted to live in a home. The present threshold is three unrelated persons.
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater students populate many of the rental homes within the area of scrutiny.
“This was done at the request of a number of homeowners who live in the area,” Winship said. “We want to increase property values in this city.”
At the city’s most recent Plan Commission meeting, more than a dozen residents and property owners weighed in on the proposal, and a variety of perspectives were offered.
Resident Michael Kemp was among those who favored the zoning changes. Kemp, who signed a petition requesting action be taken, said he and his wife enjoy the Fremont Street area because of its historic nature.
“We fell in love with this community,” Kemp said. “We made an investment in this area because we saw value in it. We would like the City of Whitewater to invest in the single-family homeowners.”
But there was opposition to the zoning change, particularly from rental property owners.
Charles “Buck” Sweeney, a Madison-based attorney representing one of the city’s landlords, said property owners renting out their dwellings provide value to Whitewater’s tax base.
“From our point of view, you are taking our property rights away,” Sweeney said.
After hearing from residents, commissioners favored moving forward with the proposed zoning change. It is now advancing to the full Common Council for further deliberation and final action.
“When I see other college towns … we seem to be way down, as far as single-family residences go,” commissioner Karen Coburn said. “That is something I am personally concerned about.”
Read more Whitewater Planning Commission and Common Council news in the Oct. 3 issue of the Whitewater Register.
