Re: Comments on ERO #025…

Re: Comments on ERO #025-0351, #025-0350, and #025-0349
I am writing as a cottage owner on the Winnetka Lake Road to express my concerns about the above-referenced applications for land severance.
1. Environmental Concerns, Lake Capacity and Concerns Regarding Future Development:
The lakes on which the properties are located are not capable of supporting additional development. As this area is unorganized territory, any new lots created can be developed without any oversight, increasing environmental pressures on the lake. Over the past few years, we have observed the impact of increased boat traffic on the lake, eroding shorelines and degrading water quality, and of increased vehicle traffic on the Winnetka Lake Road. If the lots are severed, there should be a restriction on future development of the lots, taking into account the impact on the shared use of the lakes with all cottage owners on the Winnetka Lake Road and Engineer Lake Road.
2. Impact on Established Land Use Patterns:
For over 50 years, portions of the Co-op property have been used by the entire community, not just shareholders, for recreational purposes and as access to the crown land on the other side for hiking, berry picking and general recreational use. The proposed severance could disrupt these long-standing land use patterns and restrict access that has been enjoyed by all local cottagers on the Winnetka Lake Road.
For these reasons, I want to express my concern about the impact of the proposed severances and the future use of the severed lots.