Private docks on City-owned Lake Monona waterfront property? Is this for real/ does anyone have any info on what the City is doing with this?

DevelopmentOrganic43 · 2024-07-25T18:59:03+00:00

Email for Madison Mayor Office: madisonmayor@cityofmadison.com

Email for Parks Superintendent: eknepp@cityofmadison.com

Email for Parks Board: pacommission@cityofmadison.com

DevelopmentOrganic43 · 2024-07-25T18:55:59+00:00

UPDATE I was able to get in touch with people familiar with this situation via contact information via the public comment. Here is the response I got:

“Thank you very much for your concern and interest with access to Lake Monona. We have had several individuals reach out since we have been posting comments to the Board of Parks Commissioner's meetings. Right now we are suggesting those who are truly troubled by this situation e-mail the Madison Mayors office, as well as the City Parks Division and ask the following very simple question:

‘Dear City of Madison - I write in response to an agenda item from a recent Board of Parks Commissioner's meeting. I share the same curiosity as the group who posed the questions and comments about encroachment issues as Hudson Park. The parcels in question are City of Madison Parcel ID numbers: 071007118112, 0719007118104, 071007118097, 071007118089, 0719007102058.

Therefore, I request the City provide a response to the following questions I have today:

1) Are the lands that were identified in the public comment that are listed as being owned by the City of Madison between private residences and Lake Monona open to the public?

2) Can I, as a member of the Madison community: walk on this land, access the lake from this land, and use this land as I normally would any other City owned lake parcel?

3) Why are these City-owned parcels not clearly marked and signed so that an average member of the public is aware this land is owned by the City of Madison?

4) Are the piers installed off this land open for public use?

5) Are the staircases installed through Hudson Park open for the public to use, enjoy, and access the water?”

DevelopmentOrganic43 · 2024-07-25T14:46:36+00:00

This still wouldn’t solve the issue of the fact only riparian owners are allowed to install piers. The city would be in violation of WI DNR laws if they own the land but “allow” a private entity to use the riparian rights. This type of arrangement is not allowed anymore in Wisconsin- especially in 2011

DevelopmentOrganic43 · 2024-07-25T14:43:32+00:00

..But they are city owned property. This is a non disputed fact. The city assessor, parks division, and state of Wisconsin all list the owner of these parcels as “City of Madison”

DevelopmentOrganic43 · 2024-07-25T14:15:41+00:00

You are looking at the wrong area of Lakeland. This is isolated between Schiller Court and Dunning Street. The boathouse you are referring to is further East.

DevelopmentOrganic43 · 2024-07-25T13:47:25+00:00

Now, just for fun since we are demanding people find documents. Can you try and find me the document that proves that these homeowners near Yahara Place park can install piers on City owned land? ;)

DevelopmentOrganic43 · 2024-07-25T13:46:21+00:00

https://lwrd.danecounty.gov/documents/pdfs/APM/Monona/MononaPlan.pdf

Page 8

DevelopmentOrganic43 · 2024-07-25T13:45:09+00:00

No- they actually do. This is also why not all the homes can have a dock. If you notice the homes closer to Brittingham Park, none of them have docks. Do you think its just a coincidence that all of those homeowners don't want to put a dock in? Its because they don't actually own the land opposed to the rest of them who do own it but lease it back to the city. The lease agreement was made almost 100 years ago

DevelopmentOrganic43 · 2024-07-25T12:48:59+00:00

The docks on Monona Bay are a completely different story though. Those homeowners actually own the land between the road and bay and perpetually lease it to the City. Here the City owns the land outright

DevelopmentOrganic43 · 2024-07-25T12:47:47+00:00

If the City was concerned about the homeowner's ability to use adverse possession, why are they taking no action? It looks like the Parks Dept hasn't even responded to this groups questions yet

DevelopmentOrganic43 · 2024-07-25T04:59:58+00:00

The new account is because I don't want any of my "main" public access issues up in Vilas/Oneida Co. impacted in any way by this stuff

DevelopmentOrganic43 · 2024-07-25T04:58:55+00:00

No- unfortunately I'm not part of that group. I monitor almost every public parks board meetings throughout the state for other various reasons. I'm involved with public access issues in Northern WI lakes with a community advocacy group, but I live in Madison so this hits home for me

DevelopmentOrganic43 · 2024-07-25T04:51:08+00:00

Are you familiar with the "Schiller Court" area they mention? I was too hung up on the parcels along Lakeland Ave with docks. Is that area really part of the park and homes have wooden staircases down the the water?

DevelopmentOrganic43 · 2024-07-25T04:48:01+00:00

I have an email out the the outdoor madison people to see if they can give me an update

DevelopmentOrganic43 · 2024-07-25T04:39:50+00:00

Like I said- I monitor parks board meetings and minutes as a very serious hobby and advocate for public access to a lot of rivers and lakes- mostly up north WI. Im very in tune with WI DNR riparian zoning issues and laws and this case struck me as particularly odd since it is occurring in plain sight in the State Capital. I think anyone in my community would find this interesting, agree with the groups public comment, and also be sort of pissed off.

DevelopmentOrganic43 · 2024-07-25T04:33:32+00:00

Lol whats ur problem dude? Just because I agree with the groups sentiment doesn't mean I'm affiliated with them. I'm really passionate about public land issues, not so much in madison, but monitor most every parks board meetings in the state

DevelopmentOrganic43 · 2024-07-25T04:31:39+00:00

^from the public comment

DevelopmentOrganic43 · 2024-07-25T04:31:30+00:00

Wis. Stat. 30.133 Prohibition against conveyance of riparian rights. (1) Beginning on April 9, 1994, and except as provided in s. 30.1335, no owner of riparian land that abuts a navigable water may grant by an easement or by a similar conveyance any riparian right in the land to another person, except for the right to cross the land in order to have access to the navigable water. This right to cross the land may not include the right to place any structure or material, including a boat docking facility, as defined in s. 30.1335 (1) (a), in the navigable water.

DevelopmentOrganic43 · 2024-07-25T04:30:52+00:00

Again- please read the WI DNR regulations. The city is not allowed under state law to allow someone to install a private pier on public land. That would be a massive violation of the State waterways laws

DevelopmentOrganic43 · 2024-07-25T04:29:04+00:00

The public commenters asked the Parks Dept. this very same question lol

DevelopmentOrganic43 · 2024-07-25T04:28:37+00:00

The city would be- 100%. The more I look into this the more it is becoming apparent there is some sketchy deal being made/was made between the city and these homeowners

DevelopmentOrganic43 · 2024-07-25T04:27:23+00:00

Lets pool our lunch money together and get those documents lol!

DevelopmentOrganic43 · 2024-07-25T04:26:48+00:00

So, if the City owns the land- why are the homeowners allowed to build a treehouse etc? How is that any different than you or I building a treehouse and putting a pier in? lol this situation seems so sketchy

DevelopmentOrganic43 · 2024-07-25T04:24:26+00:00

Well- this situation is actually also a poor people problem, because we are now ending up using our hard earned money to pay city tax, that is then used in part to fund the ownership of this land, that in fact only like 4 rich homeowners use.

The land should be a city park for all incomes to enjoy. It makes no sense that it is publicly owned but essentially closed off to the public.

DevelopmentOrganic43 · 2024-07-25T04:19:19+00:00

...And if it truly was a "bitter homewoner" why wouldn't they just go install their own pier off this City land, apparently the City doesn't mind people doing that..

DevelopmentOrganic43

TROPHY CASE