One Dysfunctional Package

The Town of Madison asked the town's Zoning Board of Appeals for a variance from its own zoning regulations. Really! Sounds like the judge, jury, and executioner all wrapped up in one dysfunctional package. Can ordinary residents expect their legitimate concerns to be addressed under these circumstances?

Let's look at what's happened so far.

The town has taken a quaint little public service garage adjacent to a residential area and, ignoring public outcry from nearby residents whose property values would plunge, turned it into an eyesore, a behemoth in excess of the size of a football field.

Then, to compound the felony, the town destroyed most of the foliage and trees shielding the unsightly mess from the adjacent residential area-to be replaced according to plans by a low railing and 15, six- to seven-foot-tall arborvitae trees.

Now comes the town, asking itself for a variance from its own zoning regulations and seeking to erect two unsightly gas tanks next to a heavily traveled and dangerous intersection-a clear and present safety hazard to be ignored at its peril-and this with numerous safer alternate locations available on the property. The answer to this request should be a resounding "No!" To vote otherwise would be an outrage.

More important, the town officials should use this opportunity to mitigate the damage they've already caused and show that they're not tone deaf to homeowners' legitimate complaints. They should take the actions necessary to erect a 20-foot-high, solid fence bordered in front by closely spaced arborvitae trees to shield this eyesore under construction from the adjacent residential area.

The town is holding a hearing for approval of this application on Thursday, Jan. 19 at 8 p.m. I encourage your readers to attend this hearing at Town Campus to have their voices heard.

Jules and Mildred Berke
Madison