Reminder Letters Sent to 75 Homeowners

As of February 21st, 75 homeowners should have received letters reminding them that their 2011 assessments were due on January 31st.  A deadline of March 11th was included in the letters.  At that time the names of delinquent homeowners will be passed on to the WMC's legal counsel for the next step in the collection process. 

Freeman Covers Bypass Meeting

Contacts soundoff@conleynet.com jpetrie@conleynet.com

Residents weigh in on West Waukesha Bypass plans Southern part of project could disrupt wetland By Joe Petrie Freeman Staff     WAUKESHA – As a resident of Hawthorne Hollow area of Waukesha for the last 17 years, Steven Hammer and his family have enjoyed a very peaceful neighborhood.     Hammer said the area contains lots of wildlife, including redheaded woodpeckers.     However, with the potential of the West Waukesha Bypass coming through, Hammer said he’s concerned his family is going to lose its peaceful neighborhood to a four lane highway.     “We’re very concerned because it puts us on the edge of a highway,” he said. “We live on a wooded lot and we don’t want to live on the edge of a four lane road. We’ve lived there 17 years and we don’t want to see it ruined.”     Hammer and other residents living near the proposed bypass came out to Waukesha West High School Thursday evening to share their perspectives on the project and give input to planners.     The bypass, as proposed, entails expanding Highway TT to four lanes and expanding it from I-94 to Highway 59 and Highway X. By building the west bypass, a horseshoe bypass will be created around Waukesha, hooking up with Les Paul Parkway.     The city of Waukesha will be responsible for expanding TT between Northview Road and I-94. The county will be responsible for conducting an environmental impact study, acquiring needed real estate and constructing the bypass between Highway 18 and Northview Road. The state will be responsible for constructing the southern portion of the road and overseeing the final design of the project.     During the course of the planning, project leaders looked at Highway T and Highway SS as possible alternatives to TT in order to complete the plan. However, both the T and SS alternatives were eliminated due to cost and feasibility.     Thursday’s meeting highlighted five plans for the southern edge of the project known as golf course east, Pebble Creek, Pebble Creek west, Pebble Creek far west and Sunset Drive to Highway X.     Hammer’s daughter Susan Hammer said she also wanted to see her neighborhood preserved if the road project is built.     “People drive down our street now just because they think it’s so pretty,” she said.     According to the plans presented to to residents, the golf course east plan would involve the relocation of 13 to 14 homes, go through four acres of wetland and cost $56 million; the Pebble Creek option would involve two relocations and go through 19 acres of wetland at a cost of $48 million; the Pebble Creek west plan would involve three relocations, the use of nine acres of wetland and cost $48 million; the Pebble Creek far west plan would involve four relocations, use seven acres of wetland and cost $48 million; and the Sunset to X plan would involve eight to 10 relocations, use 10 acres of wetland and cost $48 million.     Peter Lettenberger, who lives off of Merrill Hills Road, said the data shown Thursday had him leaning in support of the Pebble Creek option.     “The major disadvantage is that it goes through wetland,” he said. “But when you look at the study, there are quite a few less relocations and it’s substantially cheaper than the golf course option.”

Bypass Meeting Slated for Thursday, Feb. 10

A presentation on the latest plans for the Waukesha bypass will take place from 4-8 PM on Thursday, February 10th at Waukesha West High School.  The session will take place in the school's library.  The gathering is designed to give participants a chance to discuss the options currently under consideration for the highway that will wind its way around the west side of the Waukesha area.  The hosts will welcome comments and record concerns that are presented.  As in past sessions, there will not be any speeches or lectures, just displays and opportunities for one-on-one conversations with the engineers and other planners in attendance. 

City Responds to Question Concerning Creek Maintenance

Several months ago, the WMC Board asked City of Waukesha Forester Peter Trazec to visit the area along Rolling Ridge Drive to inspect some erosion issues concerning trees located along the creek and to clarify who is responsible for maintaining several trees that are leaning over the sidewalk.  Trazek indicated that he checked with a number of officials at City Hall and concluded that the City is responsible for storm water runoff control and will continue to maintain the creek's banks.  (In the past City crews constructed a berm to provide flood control near the bus stop on University Drive and installed rip rap along the bank near Lancaster Drive.) However, when it comes to trimming or removing trees along the creek, Trazek said that the City would not get involved.  So it appears that the City will continue to maintain the creek regarding erosion issues, but the trees in or along the creek are the responsibility of the WMC. 

Fox Highlights Recent Wildlife Sightings

Several days ago a red fox was spotted trotting along Rolling Ridge Drive, near the corner of Lancaster Drive. In addition, a redtail hawk landed in a tree near the same location. We have also seen a coyote and wild turkeys near this vicinity in the past year.

If you would like to add to this report, please contact Frank Remfrey at (262) 542-0176.

Grounds Improvement Committee Seeks Members

Do you have some ideas for improving the appearance of outlots or common areas owned by the WMC? Are there some plantings that need some attention near your house? Are there trees on WMC property that present a safety hazard? If you would like to join some of your neighbors and a few Board members on a subcommittee charged with recommending improvements to the MWC common areas, please call President Frank Remfrey (262) 542-0176 to sign up. The committee will take a tour of the grounds this spring to begin the discussions. We have arborists and landscape professionals willing to provide input to the committee as well. The goal of the committee is to plan the best course of action for the next 5-10 years.

2011 Invoices Mailed Dec. 28th

The 2011 invoices, along with minutes from the December 6th annual membership meeting, will be arriving soon. The invoices will indicate an assessment of $115 for 2011. The payment is due on January 31st to the WMC post office box (PO Box 5001, Waukesha, WI 53187).