Lake Holcombe Town Board; Is it safe to live on Lake Holcombe?
Patrick Viergutz (standing) was one of many Town of Lake Holcombe residents who spoke at a board meeting May 12, about the need to limit growth for lake traffic and campgrounds. Photo by Ginna Young
By Ginna Young
Outdoor recreation has grown by leaps and bounds, especially in the last couple years. Nearly everyone has at least a camper, ATV/UTV or water craft. But, has it grown too much?
That’s what’s concerning the Lake Holcombe Improvement Association (LHIA), as they shared their thoughts on the matter at a regular Lake Holcombe Town Board meeting May 12.
“We’ve seen an increased population on our lake,” said LHIA president Patrick Viergutz.
Viergutz says on the summer weekends, locals to the lake have to deviate, as the water traffic has gotten to the point it’s unsafe and out of control. Many who were present agreed it’s almost impossible to take their families out on the water body, because people don’t obey the boating rules.
As part of the LHIA, Viergutz says he wants to educate the public and maintain water quality. He also mentioned that there are 145 campers on the lakefront at any given time.
“That’s a tremendous amount of pressure on this lake,” said Viergutz, adding he doesn’t want to overgrow the flowage.
Therefore, the LHIA is requesting that the town consider enacting an ordinance to prevent growth of future campgrounds.
“We don’t want to stop the campgrounds that are already here,” said Viergutz.
To help clarify their intentions, the LHIA retained legal counsel, in the form of Justin Andrews, attorney with Weld Riley. Andrews says the town would have an enacted village non-police powers, as of 1994, with a continuing resolution, that gives them all the authority they need to pass a regulatory ordinance, regarding campgrounds.
“Because this is a license/regulatory ordinance, it’s not a zoning ordinance,” said Andrews.
Brian Guthman, town chairman, asked how many education classes the LHIA has done in the last few years, about boating safety. Viergutz said not many, if at all, but mentioned the organization is taking initiatives one at a time.
Viergutz said he doesn’t think a class would help those who aren’t locals, but Guthman said he’d be surprised how many from out of town came during the summer course, when he used to instruct the classes.
“You have to start somewhere,” said Guthman. Guthman said it’s not just on the lake that safety is an issue, as the town has problems with ATVs/UTVs and said many of the operators need a refresher course. Guthman pointed out the safety problem is not just the campground.
“That’s only one issue that I see,” said Guthman.
As for the ordinance the LHIA wants to enact, Guthman says he is unsure of where the town’s jurisdiction stands with that. Andrews said with that, if someone has land and wants to establish a campground, there’s nothing to stop them, barring the fact that they receive town authority to hold a license.
The license would have an annual fee, of $20,000 or more, which Andrews said would have to be renewed and can be revoked if the requirements are not adhered to.
“And with resources from the DNR and the sheriff’s department, how do we resolve that?” asked town supervisor Doug Olson. “It’s a compliance issue, as much as anything.”
Viergutz said he has spoken with the Chippewa County Sheriff’s Department and that they cannot provide enough coverage for Lake Holcombe, as is needed.
“You have to remember, this is not the only lake in Chippewa County,” said resident/county board supervisor Buck Steele. “For them to give proper policing, it would take a whole fleet of boats.”
In addition, Guthman said he doesn’t know who would police whether or not the campgrounds are in compliance with the licensing. Steele said the county does have officers for hire off-duty, if the price is right.
Greg “Cookie” Anderson said it’s not just new campgrounds that are growing, but also existing campgrounds that keep adding 20 or 30 more spots. Viergutz said that ordinance they mentioned would put a cap on the number of camping sites to help deal with that.
“If it keeps growing like this, you can control some of it, but you’re never going to control it all,” said resident Ryan Quamme.
“This isn’t going to go away,” agreed resident Brian Johnson.
Guthman said the board will take what they’ve heard and ask some questions at the Wisconsin Town’s Association, before any decisions are made “We need to digest all this,” he said. Also discussed, was comprehensive planning, which was brought up at a previous meeting by a resident.
“Not to be confused with comprehensive zoning,” said Olson.
After that was brought up, Olson did some research with the West Central Regional Planning Commission. Comprehensive planning is strategic in nature, but the question arises of what it is needed for, as to what the future of the town should look like.
Olson reported that the estimate he received for the planning commission’s work, which includes public input sessions and surveys, and a planning committee, would run the town $25,000. Guthman says a comprehensive plan does protect resources and sets standards, if it is worded correctly.
Town supervisor David Staudacher said he was originally anti-comprehensive planning, but changed his tune, after he took the time to read a neighboring town’s plan.
“This is very informative,” he said. Another resident mentioned how many Airbnb rentals there are now in the town, which she doesn’t feel adds anything to the tax base or the school system, with a “revolving door” policy.
Guthman said with the ordinance and/or comprehensive planning, maybe the town could control some of that, and said even campers are used as Airbnbs in some cases. Resident Andrew Burgraff asked if that is even legal, but Guthman said it apparently is, as long as the campground takes responsibility.
“To me, it still comes down to enforcement,” said Olson. Those present agreed it would be wise to look into additional law presence.
“It’s a question we can certainly ask,” said Olson. Resident Terrie Sandmire also asked if there is a storm siren in the area, other than Cornell’s, which can be heard on the outskirts of Holcombe, if the wind is right.
“Is that anything that we could check on?” she asked. The board agreed that is definitely something to be looked into.
Guthman also said anyone who wishes to obtain a burning permit, needs to visit the DNR website and call a number each day, that is listed on the permit, to see what the restrictions are for that day.
He also said residents need to visit the town website, to find a building permit application and what is required.
