Comprehensive plan can lead to greater opportunities

By Ginna Young

When thinking about the future of Holcombe, many wishes come to mind, such as more housing, better internet and phone connection, and increased EMS services. Before those things can come to pass, a guide is needed to show what goals are for the next two decades.

In order to accomplish that, a Town of Lake Holcombe Planning Committee was formed, consisting of Mark Cigan, business owner; Randy Crank, agriculture operator; Darrel Hornick, Lake Holcombe Improvement Association member; Bill Kochevar, campground owner; Tom Rocque, business owner/volunteer fire and EMS member; and David Staudacher, lifelong resident and town board supervisor.

The West Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (WCWRPC) was hired to gather information and demographics, and conduct seven meetings between March 2023 and February of this year. All this was done to complete a comprehensive plan for the Town of Lake Holcombe.

According to state statute, the plan focuses on incorporating a 20-year land use projection, and addresses nine key elements: issues and opportunities; housing; transportation; utilities and community facilities; agricultural, natural and cultural resources; economic development; intergovernmental cooperation; land use; and implementation.

“For many communities, that means balancing a variety of interests,” said Susan Badtke, WCWRPC, at a special meeting March 25. “A plan alone does not create change.”

According to survey results that were returned from residents, the community wants to continue to see a small town atmosphere in Holcombe, along with retaining its rural character and natural features. The public also wants to protect lake water and ground water quality, and ensure public safety.

Preserving those things is important, as tourism is a large segment of Holcombe’s industry. In the off-season, the town’s population is about 1,000 strong, but when summer comes, that population balloons. To accommodate the extra population, more campgrounds and short-term rentals are springing into existence, which resident Larry Becker is concerned about. His main worry, is how a campground will be regulated, but Badtke pointed out that a plan helps address conflicts and working with other interested parties to manage shared goals.

Rocque, who served as chair of the Planning Committee, says that also involves working with the lake association to understand laws and request that law enforcement be more of a presence on the lake. As for permitting of campgrounds and short-term rentals, there is an overall answer for that.

“The county already has regulations in place for that,” said Rocque.

Becker understood that, but feels that doesn’t solve a problem, as he sees it, when looking at the amount of people using the lake.

“More campgrounds will bring more numbers,” said Becker.

Lake Holcombe Town Chair Brian Guthman says that truly is where education and proactiveness comes in, to help protect the community’s assets.

“You seem to forget that the public owns the lake,” said resident Don Crank. “And this plan wants to control all of that.”

D. Crank also questioned why the town board did not have its townspeople vote on that at the annual meeting, but the steps taken were correct, by the town hiring someone to oversee the comprehensive plan, then bringing it to a public hearing before voting to approve it.

“I’m not in favor of all those regulations,” said R. Crank. Guthman mentioned that the plan is not a regulatory document, it just sets some guidelines for the town to reference.

“It’s going to lead to regulations,” said R. Crank.

“We’re on a slippery slope,” agreed resident Kerri Crank.

Regardless, for or against, the plan is needed and was approved, so progress can be made for the community. If regulations are set down going forward, it’s the town board that will make the decision, so the public’s voice is needed at each meeting.

They can also view the comprehensive plan on the town’s website, at townoflakeholcombe.com or they can contact the town clerk for printed copies, for a fee.

“It’s necessary to paint the big picture,” said Staudacher. “I think it’s a good plan.”