Top of Lodi’s Fate Undecided

This article contains opinions and/or editorial content.

Top of Lodi

On Tuesday, May 13th, the City of Lodi Planning Commission was presented with a request to rezone the space currently known as “Top of Lodi” . There was input from the public, and an extensive presentation given by the developers. No decision was made at this meeting.

The Lodi Valley Chronicle attended the meeting via Zoom.  I requested to record the meeting (persuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.90 ¹“”Whenever a governmental body holds a meeting in open session, the body shall make a reasonable effort to accommodate any person desiring to record, film or photograph the meeting.” but was denied, as the staff was not aware of the statute. It has been brought to the City’s attention and staff have been informed to allow non-intrusive recording in the future.  My own attempt to record through other means failed.

My Thoughts

It had been my intention to write a neutral description of events, but I without the recording to confirm my memory and truly be factual in my reporting, I can’t do that.  While I am willing to accept the property being developed as housing, I have some questions and concerns.

This was also the sense I got from the public comments.  Everyone who commented did so in a calm and articulate way (which, given the recent history and politics of this property, is commendable), but did have serious questions and concerns about the plans and what they might mean for Lodi.

What is a PUD?

Forbes Magazine defines a PUD thus:

A planned unit development, or PUD, is a community of single-family homes, and sometimes condos or townhomes, where every homeowner belongs to a homeowners association (HOA).

A Home Owners Association²Read the article. It is very informative of the risks inherent in HOAs (HOA) brings with it some baggage. It is, essentially, a small corporation/government deciding what can and can’t happen in that space. Legally they’re a corporation–run by a board of directors–which governs the properties that are part of it.  To purchase a property in their jurisdiction, a homeowner must agree to be a member of the HOA and agree to whatever rules they set. They can not purchase the property without doing so.  And a homeowner may not leave the HOA.

Sketchworks Architecture (SKC Properties, LLC) has presented this drawing in their proposal:

In the discussion before the committee, SKC mentioned dedicated “senior housing”. That is not shown on the documents.

My Concerns

While I would love for the “Top of Lodi” space to become something amazing that would benefit the community in a plethora of ways³I have some radical ideas–but lack the millions of dollars required to make them happen.  If anyone has a spare $100M they’d like to donate, let me know!, I think we all have known from the start that it would be sold to a developer and become a just another subdivision (sorry, “Planned Unit Development”).  As bitter as it may be, I’m willing to admit defeat.

That being said…

HOA

I have a strong, deep-seated hatred for the very idea of an HOA. For one, I don’t want anyone telling me what I can and can not do with my own home. I think others might feel the same.  And, remember, the HOA has control forever. Secondly, SKC stated that the architectural style of the new housing is “as yet undecided”.  The HOA–which could form before construction begins–would have complete control over that.

Architecture

As stated above, SKC–the developer–doesn’t yet know what the buildings will look like.  The only limits I have seen is that they won’t exceed 55′ in height.  We could end up with a 121-unit eyesore overlooking downtown, and greeting people as they enter Lodi.

Zero effort was made to even suggest that the architecture of the new buildings would fit the local character. I don’t expect Victorian “painted ladies” and facades matching Main Street. But a small comment such as “We don’t know the final architectural style but it will fit with the general aesthetics of Lodi” would go a long way.

History

It was obvious to me–from the conversation, and the documents presented–that SKC doesn’t care about Lodi, its character, or its history. They see a profitable piece of land that they can develop, collect their check, and leave.

And they didn’t do any research into the history of the property, or what it means to long-time residents.

Third Terrace would be gone. Half of it already is, and–excluding a small swath above the “existing stone fountain”–the rest of it would become 6 single-family homes (architectural style as yet to be determined).

And what got me the most was the label “Existing stone fountain”.

Anybody who has every gone to school there knows that it’s a sandbox.  At some point someone removed the sand (for some (to me) stupid reason), but for at least half a century, it was a sandbox. It has never been a “fountain”.

SKC doesn’t know Lodi. They have no connection to Lodi. They don’t care about Lodi.  They see a valuable property to be purchased at a cheap price, and flipped for a big profit.

Conclusion

Barring me winning the lottery (I buy tickets!), it’s inevitable that Top of Lodi will become condos of some sort.

Let’s at least make sure that it’s someone who understands and respects Lodi’s values, aesthetics, and history, and develops the property in a way that respect them.

Or… we can just give up and become Waunakee.