Residents speak out on proposed golf course

Local residents filled the Wilson Town Hall on Wednesday night to voice their concerns at a public hearing on Kohler Co.'s controversial proposal to build an 18-hole golf course near the Black River.

The sole item on the Town of Wilson Plan Commission meeting agenda was Kohler Co.'s request for a conditional use permit to build the course on 247 acres of land the company owns just north of Kohler-Andrae State Park.

"I will say this is the largest turnout for a simple meeting since I've been on the Plan Commission," Chairman Doug Fuller said.

Speaking at the meeting were company officials, who presented their plan and an updated map of the course, as well as residents from the Town of Wilson and nearby areas.

Town Attorney John St. Peter made clear that all questions were to be directed to the Plan Commission and not to Kohler Co.

Residents made mention to the effects the project could have on the town's water supply, dunes, wetlands and wildlife, as well as the negative effects of increased tourism.

"Before the Plan Commission makes a decision, it is absolutely essential to have a really thorough and careful and honest environmental impact study by an independent group," one resident said.

Michael Belot, general manager of Destination Kohler, explained during the presentation that the golf course would be "consistent with Kohler's track record and philosophy of environmental stewardship."

Regarding concerns about the use of pesticides and fertilizer on the property, Belot said Kohler Co. would follow strict state and federal regulations.

"We own and operate currently five championship golf courses and we've never had a problem or citation with regard to pesticide or fertilizer use," Belot said.

The day of the meeting coincided with the company's announcement that it will be pursuing an environmental certification from Audubon International, which is not affiliated with the National Audubon Society.

Upon hearing the announcement, Mary Faydash, co-spokeswoman for the Friends of the Black River Forest, a group that opposes the golf course, said she "thought that their attempt to find the religion of environmentalism yesterday was a little too late."

"Nothing about the Kohler Company and its projects in Sheboygan County is the least bit environmentally friendly," Faydash said.

Local Gary Zimmerman said one of the most important elements of the Audubon International organization is site selection, but that Kohler had not worked with any environmental agencies in the selection of the piece of land they are proposing to build the course on.

Audubon International's mission, according to its website, is "to deliver high-quality environmental education and facilitate the sustainable management of land, water, wildlife and other natural resources in all places people live, work and play."

The Signature Program certification Kohler is seeking involves an initial site assessment, development and implementation of a natural resource management plan, an environmental audit to assess compliance with the program and recertification.

According to the map Kohler presented, the company is seeking 3.8 acres of state park land to build a two-lane entrance road and maintenance building.

Residents who maintain the trail system in that area said while it may not sound like much, removing those 3.8 acres will bisect three trails.

"To think that it's just a little three acres and it isn't going to bother anybody and it's very important so that the 1 percent can play golf on pristine old-growth forest (is not right)," a resident said.

Resident Gary Weber questioned Kohler Co.'s claim that the golf course would enhance the natural area and said destroying 50 percent of the forest would leave much of the existing wildlife without a home.

Peter Blank, chair of the Wisconsin Society for Ornithology Conservation, said building the golf course would reduce the habitat for many threatened bird species and affect birds in the neighboring Kohler-Andrae State Park.

"I'm not against building golf courses, but I am against building ones that will take away a valuable bird habitat," Blank said.

The Friends of the Black River Forest and other residents say the golf course goes against the Town of Wilson's 20-Year Comprehensive Plan and should be denied.

"They have to get a conditional use permit because what they want to do with that land is not a permitted use according to the town zoning ordinances," said Friends of the Black River Forest co-spokeswoman Claudia Bricks.

Resident Brett Meyer spoke in support of the project, encouraging those in opposition to visit Kohler Co.'s existing golf courses to see how golf and nature can coexist.

Others responded that the course's high price point prevented them from getting any benefit from it.

No action was taken at the meeting. The next step will be for the Plan Commission to make a recommendation to the Town Board.

—Reach Jane Roberts at 920-453-5167.