TOWN OF RICHMOND

                       WALWORTH COUNTY, WISCONSIN

                      COMPREHENSIVE PLAN Draft 2/11/09

                                          2009

 

 

SECTIONS

1.    Introduction

2.    Issues and Opportunities

3.    Housing

4.    Transportation

5.    Utilities and Community Facilities

6.    Agricultural, Natural and Cultural Resources

7.    Economic Development

8.    Intergovernmental Cooperation

9.    Land Use

10.   Implementation

 

 

SECTION 1.      INTRODUCTION

 

A . . .rural character, agricultural uses and open space . . .@

 

The first settlers in the area where the Town of Richmond is located came in 1841 from Richmond, Rhode Island. First settled as an agricultural area, the essential nature is unchanged. It is approximately 36 square miles in size with rolling hills and significant lakes, creeks, and wetlands.  Currently there are slightly fewer than 2000 people who live in the Town with approximately 700 households and 500 families.

 

In 2006 the Town Board of the Town determined that it would best for planning to understand the opinions of the Town residents, and landowners.  The Board authorized and sent out a survey to each taxpayer=s address. The response rate was over 60% and those responses were incorporated into this Land Use plan. 90% of respondents preferred Richmond to maintain a significant amount of agriculture to remain in the area. The results confirmed what most Town officials believed, that the reason most folks live in the Town is the rural character, agricultural nature and open space.

In that 2006 survey over 60% of the respondents have lived or owned land in the Town of Richmond over 10 years but over half of respondents travel outside of Richmond for work.  Only 6% of respondents make their primary living from farming but 32% rent the land to others for farming.

About 65% of respondents live in Richmond because of the Quietness / Scenic Beauty and 80% of respondents liked the rural and open environment stated this was the best characteristic of the town. Although the Town usually adds less than a home a month B more than 1/3 of all respondents felt the Town was growing too fast.

 

The most important issues in the town, according to the respondents were:

i.        Balancing rural character, agriculture, and open space

ii.       Preservation of open space

iii       Preservation of rural character vs. growth

 

This plan was drafted by folks who plan to live in this Town for the rest of their lives. They live here for the same reasons as given in the survey. Some growth is appropriate in areas that are not prime agriculture as it helps with the tax base and does not take land from agricultural purposes.

 

The Plan Commission looked at every single parcel in drafting the 2020 map and in consideration of the written portion of this plan. When considering changes the committee considered the soils, the slope and the neighboring properties.  Land around the lakes is already developed into residential areas and where additional lands have been designated as potentially residential B it is because the soils indicated that these areas were not the best for agriculture.

 

If changes have been made to plans for the future it is still up to the landowner to determine if the change to the zoning should be made, and when. 

 

In consideration of the survey B no large commercial or business areas were designated. It is truly the hope of the Plan Commission and the Town Board that the rural character, agricultural uses and open space be preserved. All changes to this plan, all requests for rezones, every consideration of a conditional use will be made with these goals in mind.

 

 

 

SECTION 2.         ISSUES AND OPPORTUNITIES

 

 

This chapter of the Comprehensive Plan provides an overview of the important trends and background information for the Town of Richmond. This section also summarizes the public process and public input used to create the policies found in other chapters.  It is meant as a guide as to how future  Planning Commissions and Boards should think about the planning and land use process.

 

A.    Overall Goals, Objectives and Policies

 

Overall goals guiding the town=s comprehensive plan are:

× Preserve the town=s rural character, agricultural uses and open space

× Protect the town=s natural resources

× Continue the town=s land use policies

× Accept development in appropriate areas as defined by soils, slope and existing neighborhood

× Ensure that residents understand this plan

 

Further detail about specific objectives and policies to help meet the overall goals as well as element specific goals are contained herein.

 

The Town of Richmond Land Management Committee consisted of two Town Board members, Wayne Redenius and Curt Rowley; the Town Treasurer Anna Seaver; Town Clerk/Committee Secretary Barbara Ceas and two extremely hardworking volunteer Town residents, Susan Miller and Margaret Pulera.  Throughout the planning process, the Committee served as an advisory board of town citizens to inform and guide the future planning process. This Committee formed the questions asked on the survey, mailed surveys, compiled results, attended meetings with the County and the Town Board.          

 

 

B.    Walworth County=s Smart Growth Plan

(The Town of Richmond=s other plan)

 

Throughout this process, on a monthly basis the Land Management Committee reviewed the chapters of the ongoing planning at Walworth County.  It is known as the AMulti-Jurisdictional Comprehensive Plan for Walworth County and Participating Towns@.  Although that Technical Advisory Committee (with a representative from the Town) has been meeting since July 2004, as of the date that the Town of Richmond=s Land Use plan is going to public hearing the following chapters of the County=s plan were left to be written:

 

1.       Chapter IX, Land Use Element

2.     Chapter X, Agricultural, Natural, and Cultural Resources Element

3.     Chapter XIV, Economic Development Element

4.     Chapter XV, Implementation Element

5.     Chapter XVI, Intergovernmental Cooperation Element

6.     Chapter XVII, Summary

 

The process of completing each chapter of this plan has been B difficult.  A Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (SEWRPC) employee will write a chapter, it is presented at a quarterly meeting and then almost completely rewritten by members of the Technical Advisory Committee. The Town of Richmond finds almost meaningless such sentences as this about vision at the end of the draft chapter on Issues and Opportunities of the Multi-Jurisdictional Comprehensive Plan:

 

This vision includes relatively compact urban service areas providing basic urban services and facilities; a safe, efficient transportation system; a strong agricultural resource base closely connected to resource-rich open spaces; a clean, sustainable water resource; and abundant public and private recreational opportunitiesCall while retaining the County=s cultural heritage and rural character.

 

Whether these chapters will be approved one by one or the entire plan will be put to a vote is an issue yet to be decided by the Committee.  Even after the Technical Advisory Committee acts, the Walworth County Board still can change, amend or delete what it sees as appropriate before final approval. 

 

If a Town has requested something in that plan and it is not approved B it is notated and supposedly the County and the Town Awill agree to disagree.@ That doesn=t help an applicant for a zoning matter. That means when the Smart Growth plan doesn=t meet the goals of a landowner there will be one criterion at the hearing in the Town, and a different criteria for hearing at the County.  It will be source of endless amounts of frustration for owners, applicants, plan commission members and Town Board members.

 

As the plan has been developed, many questions remain on the table that will need resolution into the future. For example, County Highway M is scheduled to become a Town of Richmond road at an indefinite time in the future. The Township would like it to remain a County road but it will require action by the Transportation Committee at the County level and then County Board Approval. Thereafter it will need to be incorporated into the SEWRPC Transportation plan. Only at that stage can the Town safely assume County Highway M will remain a County Highway.  There are many steps to get a solution which will require a large amount of energy of Town officials to follow up the matter.

 

There are other highways, potential on and off road trails and other issues in a similar status.  The frustration at the Town level was that as these other plans were being made the Town was not asked to provide input and frankly was never invited to meetings where planners drew things on the map. The saving grace of all of this is that the Towns are the largest share of the members on the Technical Advisory Committee:

 

  Town of Darien                        Town of Sharon

  Town of Delavan                      Town of Spring Prairie

  Town of East Troy                  Town of Sugar Creek

  Town of Geneva                       Town of Troy

  Town of LaFayette                  Town of Walworth

  Town of LaGrange                   Town of Whitewater

  Town of Richmond  

 

The best of all possible worlds would be for the TAC to approve of the AMulti-Jurisdictional Comprehensive Plan for Walworth County and Participating Towns@ subject to requiring the County to use a Town=s plan in the event of a conflict between the County and Town plans. While the County would undoubtedly not like such a vote B the Towns are all voting and paying members of the Multi-Jurisdictional plan process.

 

The County should be encouraged to keep the Technical Advisory Committee intact with a goal of monitoring changes to the Smart Growth plan. The Towns should work with each other as partners to make sure that the Walworth County Land Management Department serves the public, understands the issues of the land(Townships) and people over which they manage planning and zoning. 

 

 

C.    Zoning issues

 

Part of this entire process has been underlying frustration by Town Officials with the Land Management Department.  All of this became clear a few years ago when a land owner came to the Town showing a section of the Ice Age Trail across their land.  Walworth County would not allow any zoning change or land division unless the trail was inserted on the plat as directed.  The owner was very frustrated in having to Avoluntarily@ provide land for a trail to get a zoning change/land division.  Neither SEWRPC nor Walworth County planning and zoning had invited a Town official to a meeting where these maps were drawn up. The land owner was not directly notified. In retrospect, the map through this section was probably labeled as AIce Age Trail placement@ as an agenda item on some Recreation Committee agenda at the County level and met technical requirements of notice for an Open Meeting. This is also the worst example of government and planning the Town had seen. The land owner began a lawsuit and a compromise with Walworth County was eventually reached. The cost of land division and zoning changes should not include having to start a lawsuit to protect one=s rights. The Town must never forget that it may not agree with every proposed land use change B but an owner=s rights to their lands are paramount.

 

Many processes at the County level have improved in handling zoning matters.  Now the staff recommendation is given at the same hearing at which the applicant makes their presentation (formerly the staff would recommend at the next hearing where the applicant was not allowed to address the County=s Land Management Committee, which often adopted staff recommendation).  Town of Richmond residents and especially members of the Town=s Plan Commission or Town Board should be encouraged to apply for and accept positions as Board of Adjustment or Land Management Committee.

 

Early on in the process of the Town=s drafting the Smart Growth plan the thought was to actually withdraw from County zoning, in an effort to treat residents with more dignity as they applied for changes.  Most Town officials see government as a service business and wanted a greater emphasis placed on service over enforcement.  It often seemed to applicants that after buying the land, paying various filing fees, filing out the application for changes to zoning and conditional use forms, filing appropriate building permits, applying for loans to make improvements and spending time at hearings, that Walworth County Land Management was doing you the favor by granting your request.

 

At this time, because of Shoreland Zoning it makes no sense to go forward as a Town and withdraw from County zoning.  Shoreland zoning would still be a County matter and cover all land within 1000 feet of all lakes, ponds and flowages and 300 feet of all rivers, streams and/or floodplains, Sec. '74-187 Walworth County Zoning Ordinance.  If wetlands are defined as floodplains that would almost cover the entire Township and would create conflicts when an applicant=s land was partially inside the defined Shoreland area, and partially outside. The Town cannot better serve residents by creating dueling bureaucracies, and for now it makes sense to continue within the County zoning process. 

 

 

D.    The Town=s Smart Growth Map

 

The center of the Town of Richmond=s plan for the future is the map. Only by looking at the map can one see the concepts that were discussed by the committee in developing the plan for the future:

 

× Additional housing around the Lakes that does not interfere with Agricultural uses (slope and soils)

× Making sure that the housing that is allowed is consistent with like-type neighboring housing

× Small areas allowed for business growth

 

Changes to the map are an issue if the density fills to the potential changes drawn on the map.  Future Planning Commissions and Town Boards will need to be resolute in trying to maintain the Arural character, agricultural uses and open space@, but in a world of seemingly endless strip malls and box stores, it will be a worthy goal.

 

SECTION 3. HOUSING

 

The housing element considers the number of units available for residents of the Town of Richmond and conditions of that housing supply which may affect its suitability for the future. An adequate supply of the type of housing need by the Town=s population is critical to population growth and can influence the type of people who choose to live in the Town.

Housing needs are projected in Section 9, Land Use.

 

A.         Housing Vision

 

Housing for all residents should be safe and reflect the Town of Richmond=s rural character and scenic beauty set in an attractive, healthy and appropriate environment.

 

B.         Housing Goals, Objectives and Policies

 

Goal 1.  Encourage safe, affordable housing.

 

Objective 1:  Advance maintenance and repair of existing homes to promote community health and safety.

Objective 2:  Ensure that rehabilitation, remodeling and new construction satisfies applicable building and zoning codes and ordinances.

Objective 3.  Ensure that rehabilitation, remodeling and new construction protects the integrity of the existing neighborhood regarding size, setbacks, footprints, square footage and heights.

Objective 4:  Revise/create housing-related ordinances and documents such as a subdivision ordinance.

 

Goal 2. Maintain the rural character of the town regarding future housing development

 

 

Objective 1:              Encourage home siting in areas that will not result in property or environmental damage, or impair rural character or agricultural operations.

Objective 2:                          Encourage neighborhood designs and locations that protect residential areas from infringement by incompatible land uses, promote connectivity of road and environmental systems and preserve rural character.

Objective 3.                          Direct residential growth to existing residentially zoned areas (infill development), giving consideration to protection of environmentally sensitive corridors and working agricultural lands.

 

Goal 3.          Allow reasonable residential development while preserving agricultural lands, woodland, open space and environmentally sensitive areas and corridors.

 

Objective 1.              Designate transitional areas for development over a period equal to the length of the comprehensive plan.

Objective 2.                          Minimize the impact of development by maximizing the amount of storm water runoff and sedimentation required to be maintained on site for major and minor land division.

Objective 3.                          Preserve the view line of undeveloped ridge tops and shorelines by requiring setbacks and vegetation.       

Objective 4              Prohibit development of working agricultural lands and environmentally sensitive areas.

Objective 5.                          Encourage adaptive reuse for the conversion of outmoded buildings, i.e., old schools,  restaurants, warehouses and factories, to viable new uses such as housing.

Objective 6.                          Protect environmental resources (water, etc.) by constraining density in R-1 zoning district.

 

C.           Policies and Procedures

 

1.           Preserve mature trees, stone rows, fence lines, tree lines and agricultural structures such as farmsteads, barns and vertical silos wherever appropriate.

2.          Integrate natural resources into subdivision design as aesthetic and conservation landscape elements.

3.          Require state of the art on-site sanitary systems in housing development proposals to protect groundwater quality.

4.          For all new non-farm residential housing, maintain the greatest distance feasible between new homes and agriculture feedlot operations, manure pits and trench silos of adjacent landowners to minimize conflicts between agricultural operations and rural residences. Further ensure that adjacent landowners with feedlots, manure pits and trench silos are notified of any residential building proposals as part of the Town=s land division and permitting process.

5.          Direct new home sites to areas least suitable for agriculture.

6.          Direct new home sites away from environmentally sensitive areas.

7.          Direct residential development to existing residentially zoned areas, giving consideration to protection of environmentally sensitive corridors and working agricultural lands.

8.          Encourage the proper siting of residences so as to minimize the demand for infrastructure improvement and where practical require shared driveways.

9.          Support the conversion of agricultural buildings to residential use provided structures maintain their original look and character.

10.         Arrange lots so that houses are not placed on exposed hilltops or ridge lines. Roof lines should not be higher than the tree line.

 

 

 

SECTION 4.  TRANSPORTATION

 

This element tries to be consistent with the other elements of the Plan as well as the desires expressed by the townspeople in a recent survey.

 

A.         Background Information

Town of Richmond historically has been a farming community.  It is surrounded by agricultural land to the north, south, east, and west.  Richmond does not have any city or villages within its borders.  One hundred years ago, it had dirt and gravel roads that were adequate for horse and buggy, horse and wagon traffic.  These roadways served the farmers as routes to haul their milk, crops, produce, and animals to market.  With the advent of the automobile, the dirt roads became gravel roads.  These roadways allowed for travel, sometimes difficult, during all seasons.  By the 1960s, most of the gravel roads had become paved asphalt roads.

 

Richmond does not have heavy industry in the Town.  The road systems off of County Roads A, P, and M cannot support the heavy traffic that would be required for industry.  The road system is adequate for all farming operations.

 

B.          Documentation and Mileage of Existing Roads in the Town.

The Town has local roads and roads that serve the lake residents.

 

There are four lakes in the Town of Richmond.  Lake Lorraine and Turtle Lake are totally within the Town.  Lake No. 10 is bordered by private landowners.  Whitewater Lake is a shared lake with borders also in Whitewater Town.

 

Roads in the subdivisions surrounding the lakes were platted in the first half of the twentieth century.  The subdivisions surrounding the lakes were weekend homes for part-time Town residents during the first half of the twentieth century.  Now over 50 percent of these homeowners are full-time Town of Richmond residents.

 

The right-of-way of roads in the Town ranges from 30 to 66 feet.  Town roads located in agricultural sections are the standard 66 feet.  The narrow rights-of-way present seasonal challenges, given the heavy density of homes and their closeness to the road.  Snow plowing and road maintenance can be challenging.

 

There are also older lake subdivision roads that were platted, but never built or approved by the Town.  Private roads via Town ordinance must have a 50-foot right-of-way and must meet certain specifications.

 

Seventy-one percent of Richmond=s roads are 66 foot right-of-way roads.  (Highway 89, with a right-of-way of 100 feet, is included in the above figure.)  Twenty-nine percent of Richmond=s roads have a right-of-way of 50 or fewer feet.  (This figure includes the private roads in subdivisions.)

 

 See Table 1 on the following pages.  This table was compiled by Dale R. Drayna, Jr. (Information Systems, Walworth County.)  The table shows each road in Town of Richmond and its length in feet and miles.  Town of Richmond has 77.8 miles of roadways.

 

The Town maintains 49.5 miles of town roads.  The remaining roads are maintained privately.  County Roads M, P, and A, and State Highway 89 are maintained by Walworth County.

 

One state highway, Highway 89, runs through the Town.  County Roads A, M, and P serve residents going east and west and north and south.  Highway 89 serves as a truck route through the Town.  The other roads that serve the Town are local roads and subdivision roads.

 

Residents of Town of Richmond have access to Interstate 90/39 from County Road A via Highway 14 to the west and access to Interstate 43 via U. S. Highways 14 and 11 to the south.

 

See included maps.

 

C.          Other Forms of Transportation

 

Residents of the Town have access to air travel via the Southern Wisconsin Regional Airport, located south of the City of Janesville.  To avail themselves of more opportunities in terms of air travel, most residents commute to the airports in Madison, Milwaukee, or Chicago.

 

Water transportation is limited to recreational use of the lakes in the Town.  There are several snowmobile trails running through the Town.

 

There is no passenger rail service available to residents at this time.  (No railroad tracks run through the Town.)  Residents who desire to use rail service must drive to Harvard, Illinois (Metra Rail Service) or to Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Amtrak.)

 

Given the volatility of gas prices and the low mileage per gallon vehicles that most Americans drive, mass transit has become an important consideration for transportation officials.  Walworth County officials are currently exploring the possibility of a limited mass transit system in the county.  It would serve those who do not drive or who cannot afford a vehicle and gas.

 

The cities of Milton, Whitewater, and Janesville are considering connecting bus service in the local area for their citizens.  Town of Richmond supports a similar consideration for its citizens in cities in Walworth County.  These cities include Elkhorn, Delavan, Darien, Lake Geneva, East Troy, and others that would connect to local areas as well as adjacent counties. 

 

 

                                                                              

 

 

 

                                                           TOWN OF RICHMOND

                               TRANSPORTATION ELEMENT MAPS

 

                                                                              

 

Road Network Map w/ESN Responders

Key:      DAR = Darien

Del C = City of Delavan

ESN = Emergency Service Number

WW = Whitewater

WWSO = Walworth County Sheriff=s Office

 

Road Network Map

 

Road Network Map w/PLSS Sections

 

Park and Open Space as it Pertains to Town of Richmond

 

 

 

 

D.         Transportation Safety

 

Due to its accident history, the intersection of Highway 89 and County Road A has come under scrutiny by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.  Town officials have worked with state officials to make this a safer intersection.

 

The present system of roads meets the needs of residents, farmers, and those traveling through the Town.

 

E.          For the Future

 

The Walworth County Transportation Plan for 2020 shows a realignment of County P.  The Town opposes this realignment.  The proposed realignment would severely impact a subdivision north of County Road A.

 

Town of Richmond does not wish to take over the maintenance of any county roads within its borders.  In the 2020 Transportation Plan at the county level, let it be reflected that County Roads M and P be retained by the county and not delegated to the Town for maintenance.

 

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation has currently under study Highways 14 and 11.  The study began in 2003.  The study area includes part of Town of Richmond.

 

Town of Richmond opposes any new highways through its farmland.  The Town is committed to preserving and protecting farmland.

 

Town of Richmond wishes to be free of off-road bike paths on private property.  Richmond is not in favor of any on-road bike routes until a public hearing is held with the Town=s Plan Commission.

 

The Town would suggest to the County that there should be a bike lane on County Road A (between Kraus Road and Johnson Road), due to the danger of riding on that section.

 

F.          The Town=s Goal is to provide an integrated, safe, transportation system that meets the needs of local residents, those traveling through the Town, and local farmers.

 

G.         Transportation Objectives and Policies

 

Richmond is primarily a rural Town with local roads and a network of roads around older lake communities and new subdivisions.

 

The primary objective of the transportation system is to provide a safe road system in the Town for all users, including bicyclists and pedestrians.  At the same time, this objective is to be met while disturbing as little as possible the farmland, people=s homes, and the environment.

 

The requirements listed below are a guide for future transportation projects, improvements, and policies.

 

1) Work with local law enforcement to promote the safety of all roads in the Town.

2) Promote education of new and existing residents of the necessity of agricultural traffic within the Town.

3) Partner with the county and surrounding municipalities to promote mass transit services, especially those that service the elderly, disabled, and low-income populations.

4) Integrate land-use planning and transportation to minimize sprawl and traffic congestion.

5) Make certain new subdivisions and individual buildable lots meet safety requirements for access points and sight distance standards.

6) Work with county and state officials to provide safe road networks, while at the same time meeting Town standards to preserve and protect farmland, people=s homes, and the environment.

7) Support and encourage residents to use other forms of transportation that will minimize single occupancy vehicle trips.

8) Explore state and federal funding to maximize opportunities to procure funds to help finance road and transportation projects within the Town.

9) Preserve, maintain, and support roadway corridors that connect Town farmers with regional markets for their crops and products.

10) Encourage Town officials to maintain involvement in transportation-related committees and planning efforts throughout the county and region.

 

 

 

SECTION 5. UTILITIES AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES

 

A.   Overview

The health, welfare, and safety of Town of Richmond residents require an array of utility and community services to ensure those conditions.  This Element includes current availability plus goals/objectives, and opportunities useful in planning for those future goals for the Town of Richmond and its residents.

 

B.   Inventory

1.  Sanitary Sewer System, Wastewater Treatment, Potable (Drinkable) Water  

    All properties in the Town are on private well and septic systems that are subject to Walworth County Ordinances and Wisconsin Statutes.  Property owners are responsible for maintaining their own septic systems and wells.  There is no sanitary sewer system and no current plans for such a system; however, Snug Harbor Mobile Home Park does use a private community water supply system.  Systems recorded after 1979 must be pumped and inspected every three (3) years.  There may not be functioning septic systems on older properties.

 

2.  Electricity is provided by We Energies throughout the Town.

 

3.  Heating

     Natural Gas is available to many residents from We Energies, while others use Propane, Oil, or Outdoor Wood Burning Furnaces.

 

4.  Alternative Energy Systems may be explored as technology becomes available.

 

5.  Communications

    AT&T and SLD Telephone Company provide Aland line@ service in the Town.  Cellphone service is available through several providers including US Cellular, Verizon and Sprint.  There is no cable TV access, however satellite service is available through DISH or DIRECT TV.  Several Internet Service Providers provide Dial-up or Wireless service in the Town.

 

6.  Solid Waste Removal, Recycling 

    The Town of Richmond contracts with Nieuwenhuis Bros., Inc., to provide solid waste removal and recyclables pickup service to all residential properties.  Property owners are charged $130/year for the service, while the Town pays the balance of the contract fee.

 

7.  Stormwater Management

    The Town of Richmond maintains no sewer system.  Walworth County is primarily responsible for storm water management; however, the Town assists by the use of culverts and roadside ditches on town roads.  Town of Richmond is considering solutions to several points where roadways are flooded and where flooding can occur on private property; funding, easements, and community support are still an issue. 

 

8.   Health & Safety

     Walworth County provides 24-hour 911 Dispatch service for all law enforcement and fire/rescue and emergency medical services.  The Town contracts with the Whitewater Volunteer Fire Department and Whitewater Rescue Squad for calls North of County Road A; with Darien Fire Department for those properties South of County Road A; and Delavan Rescue Squad for calls South of County Road A.  Health care facilities in close proximity include Lakeland Hospital in Elkhorn; Mercy Hospital in Janesville; or Ft. Memorial Hospital in Fort Atkinson.  Law Enforcement is provided by the Walworth County Sheriff=s Department.  Several home-based operations provide child care.  Assisted living and nursing home facilities are also located in the Town or surrounding areas.

 

9.   Cemeteries

     Two private cemeteries are located in the Town.

 

10. Parks, Boat Launches

     Richmond Community Park is located on Lake Lorraine Road near Skansen=s Subdivision.  Public boat launch areas are on the north shore of Turtle Lake and the south shore of Lake Lorraine.  The Turtle Valley Wildlife Area and WI Department of Transportation land, as well as the Walworth County Natureland Park also contribute to the park and open space sites in the Town.  Whitewater/Rice Lakes Management District encompasses part of the Town annd maintains the quality of the lakes, i.e. weed cutting and stocking fish. 

 

11. Education 

    Whitewater Unified School District provides K-12 schooling for 2/3 of the town, while Delavan/Darien School District serves the other third.  The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and Gateway Tech in Elkhorn provide higher education opportunities. 

 

12. Libraries  

     Residents may use any public library in Wisconsin.  The nearest facilities are located in the Cities of Whitewater, Elkhorn, Delavan and the Village of Darien.

 

13. Government  

     Local government consists of a five-person elected Town Board, Town Treasurer, and Town Clerk.  The Town is currently under Walworth County=s Zoning Ordinance.

 

14. Town Buildings 

     The Town Hall, Garage, and storage building are located on County Road A, with additional storage at the Richmond Community Park. 

 

15. Yard Waste/Composting 

     Currently the Town has no pickup and/or removal because of its mostly rural composition.  Leaves and grass are the responsibility of the homeowner.

 

C.   Strengths

Current needs are being met with sufficient room for residential growth.

 

D.   Weaknesses

System currently can not support a large energy user.  Excluding County and State roads, Town road system can not support heavy traffic.  There is no possibility for a satellite system for fire and rescue protection because two different entities serve the Town.

 

E.   Goals and Objectives

The goal of Element 4 is to forecast future needs and facilitate planning for appropriate community services and utilities consistent with the Town of Richmond=s Comprehensive Smart Growth Plan, and, as much as possible, in accordance with the preferences expressed by the citizens and property owners of the Town in the written survey, and in public hearings employed by the Plan Committee during the development process, as directed by the Legislature. 

 

 

F.   Coordination With Other Plan Elements

This Element impacts all of the other Elements addressed in the Comprehensive Land Use Plan.  Consequently, it is imperative that the Elements are consistent in their approach and supportive of each other.  This requirement was emphasized as the Plan Committee developed the above Goals and Objectives.

 

 

 

SECTION 6.  AGRICULTURE, NATURAL, & CULTURAL RESOURCES