Letter to the Editor: Egg Harbor Under Attack from Developers

Egg Harbor is under attack from developers. This past week, public hearings were held for two large projects: one in the center of the village and one in the town. Literally hundreds of residents and taxpayers spent hours in Zoom meetings to voice their opinions. 

The nearly unanimous opposition to both projects speaks volumes. Concerns about safety, scale, scope and siting of commercial properties in rural spaces were repeated multiple times by taxpayers.

If approved as presented, the Village of Egg Harbor would have the largest restaurant in the county. The site is located on less than one acre of land, with minimal on-site parking and at an intersection that meets state Department of Transportation criteria for the installation of traffic lights. Those lights were turned down as not befitting the character of the village.

Zoning codes and ordinances are carefully crafted to reflect stakeholders’ visions for their communities. The codes are powerful blueprints for future development. Overwhelming opposition by those stakeholders should be a significant factor in an official’s decision-making process. 

Manipulation of the codes and intimidation tactics must not be tolerated and need to be called out by our officials. Any project produces some opposition, but nearly unanimous opposition is rare and deserves heightened scrutiny.

We need you to protect our communities. Please enforce the zoning codes. Stop the attacks on Egg Harbor.

Kaaren Northrop

Egg Harbor, Wisconsin