Help us stop the approval of the Conditional Use Permit for Hidden Haven Resort

After being denied a 120 space RV campground on September 1^st by the Burnett County Land Use Department, Brian and Melissa Bocan have applied again to for a Conditional Use Permit CUP-20-58 to build a Resort at 5160 and 5218 Hwy 70. They plan to put five 20 foot by 20 foot camper cabins on the 5218 lot which will be rented out on a short-term basis (daily, weekly, monthly). They also plan to put a 50 space RV campground on the 5160 lot. Due to the COVID cases in Burnett County, the January 11th hearing has been scheduled to occur virtually (see instructions below on how to request to speak during the public hearing and/or how to attend via video conference or how to just listen live to the audio portion of the hearing).

Why are we against it?

• The building of this campground/resort will result in negative impacts to the health, safety and welfare of the environment and the citizens of the area.

• As a neighboring property owner, we are concerned about the affect it will have on our existing property value. It has been shown that even the proposal of a potential campground/resort, has lowered the asking prices for properties that are currently up for sale in the area.

• The plan will require the additional clearing of the existing wooded areas forcing the relocation of the existing habitat, eliminating some of the current noise barriers for existing lake residents and adding additional impervious surfaces that will stress on the current erosion and runoff in the area and into Big Sand Lake.

• The increase of transient boats will increase the potential risk of introduction of invasive species into Viola or Big Sand Lakes as well as potential boat safety and overcrowding concerns. Boat launch areas lack adequate parking for any additional traffic. There are no public swimming areas or restrooms on either lake which cause non-boat owners to use the boat landings as a swimming beach.

• The increased traffic flow and the number turning onto and from Highway 70 is a big safety concern. It will also increase the amount of traffic noise. Neighboring side streets like Olsen Road, Anchor Inn Road, Viola Lake Road will experience increased traffic and increased safety risk to pedestrians and bicyclists.

• Having a high-density campground/resort will cause additional noise, light and air pollution to the neighboring residents.

• A proposed high-density campground in the midst of low density residential zoned land was already rejected in September by the committee. The decision cited that the proposed location of the campground was not a good site for high density land use.

• The St. Croix Chippewa Tribe is again opposed to the project and is concerned about the long term effects it could have on Big Sand Lake and their community.

• ATV traffic, noise and trespassing which already is a problem on private property and will increase with the proposed addition of transient camper cabin rentals and campsites on lots that are land locked by Highway 70 and private property.

• We don’t need another campground in the area. The two existing campgrounds within 5 miles of the proposed site (Campground on 70 and the Little Hertel Casino campgrounds) are under-utilized and have plenty of vacancy through the camping season.

• The Bocan’s CUP application is vague. All that has been provided is the diagram showing a sketch of the proposed layout. There are retention areas (if needed) built in the middle of their roads. Will the existing septic on the 5218 lot be able to handle the 5 camper cabins? Are they looking in the future to expand the number of camper cabins they have on this lot?

How can you help?

1.) It is the off season and some of our neighbors are not around during the winter season, so ensure your neighbors are aware of this proposed resort /campground and participate from a far to get this denied! Call them or share this site and send them a copy of it via email or text!

2.) Sign the petition opposing the development of Hidden Haven Resort and register for updates here

3.) Periodically check www.bsvlacc.com webpage or the BSVLACC Facebook page for updates

4.) Prepare a letter of opposition to be included in the packet provided to Land Use Committee Supervisors. See the sample template on bsvlacc.com website. After you have completed it, email it or send it via the USPS to arrive prior to January 4^th (this is the deadline for it to be included in the packet provided to the Land Use Committee Supervisors). Send it via email to Jason Towne at landservices@burnettcounty.org or mail it USPS to Burnett County Land Services Department, 7410 County Rd. K #120, Siren, WI 54872

5.) Because the Land Use Committee also considers the desires of the local Townships, email a carbon copy of your letter of opposition to your Town of Sand Lake or Town of LaFollette chairman. If your property is in LaFollette Township send it to Darwyn Brown at brownhorse19@gmail.com If your property is in the Town of Sand Lake, send it to Ed Weber at weber_ed@yahoo.com

TOWN OF SAND LAKE TEMPLATE & LA FOLLETTE TEMPLATES TO LOCAL OFFICIALS BELOW! (Copy & Paste to your email)

6.) MORE THAN ONE PERSON IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD can sign up! Because the meeting will be virtual, register in advance to speak at the virtual hearing at https://web.burnettcounty.org/Forms/PublicComment You will receive, by email, the conference call phone number to call in for public comment during the meeting. It will be easier to speak in public because you are virtual. Even if you just state your name and say you are strongly opposed to the development, it will help our cause to get it denied.

7.) Attend the virtual meeting! To view/listen to the live video stream only and not provide public comment you will need to go to: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_ZMn5LoFDJfHuqWGu7QEPQ If you wish to listen to audio only of the meeting/public hearing and are not making public comments then call: 1-312-626-6799. Meeting ID: 914 0524 0816 Passcode: 613267

8.) Consider contributing to support the BSVLACC. Funds are being used to support our legal fees, monthly website fees and a PO Box in Siren. Credit card donations can be made through Donorbox online on the https://www.bsvlacc.com/donations or by check by sending a check to: BSVLACC, PO Box 114, Siren, WI 54872.