Hearing Curt Catallo rejected the city planners’ recommendation for water access at 90 N. Main, Councilman Richard Bisio came up with something new.
‘I think it is important that we take into consideration the desires of the potential purchaser of this property, who I think everyone agrees would make a good use of the property,? Bisio said.
Catallo’s objections include hours of usage and requirement that anyone using the lake must be accompanied by the owner or employees.
Bisio said his version simplifies it.
“Impact on the lake by a non-residential user would be no greater than what a single family residence would have on the lake,? he said.
Gerald Fisher, spokesman for many lake residents, said Bisio’s approach ignores history and precedent.
‘This village has always given the highest priority to protecting the residential neighborhoods that have actually created the neighborhood and created the unique desirability of this town,? Fisher said. ‘This ordinance is the beginning of a slippery slope that is going in the wrong direction.?
Longtime Lake resident Gary Casey agreed.
‘If you say that anybody associated with the business can use the lake at any time, that’s way past any kind of private use that’s ever gone on,? he said.
Councilman Steve Hargis said he ‘sees the passion on both sides.?
‘We have what looks like a really good solution here and we’re hung up over this stupid lake access,? he said.
Councilman Jim Brueck feels everyone is ‘fundamentally in agreement.?
‘I think the whole point is a limited control access,? he said.
He also agreed, as one resident suggested, all parties should sit down and come to a resolution that makes sense for everyone prior to the next council meeting.
Resident David Beihl agreed.
‘Let the negotiations keep moving,? he said. ‘It’s hard for me in my experience to be hearing anything other than negotiation.?
Councilman Thomas Hunter doesn’t want to ‘miss the opportunity for this property to be sold to a good use to Mr. Catallo.?
Mayor Joe Luginski agreed getting the ‘right people? to sit down is a good idea.
‘All we can do is ask and I’ll be willing to ask the question,? Luginski said.
The next council meeting is Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. at City Hall.