Assembly Bill (AB-299) would weaken shoreland protections

Oppose:Vetoed by Gov. Jim Doyle

Under present law, county shoreland zoning ordinances have included minimum standards for lake shorelines in unincorporated areas. Thousands of lakefront property owners in unincorporated areas have invested millions of dollars in structures that meet the current statewide minimum standards for shoreland development.

Current law protects these property owners' investments by ensuring that unincorporated land that is being annexed by a city or village retains statewide minimum shoreland standards until the city or village enacts its own ordinance that meets statewide minimum standards or the county government amends its shoreland ordinance to reflect special circumstances.

AB 299 would immediately eliminate all shoreland zoning requirements for land that is annexed by a city or village. Its passage would dramatically reduce water protections by eliminating protections for some areas on lakes, allowing development to be closer to the water and at greater densities.

The Wisconsin Association of Lakes feels this bill is likely to undermine property values and threaten the near shore environment; we oppose this bill.

Press release on AB-299