Lead Mine Rd. residents petition for project input

Board of Supervisors
By: 
Kim Brooks
Express Editor

     Several residents on Lead Mine Road were in attendance at the May 29 Jones County Supervisor meeting as their legal counsel, Adrian Knuth, presented a petition on their behalf.

     Knuth said the petition includes all of the names of the residents/landowners, with the exception of one.

     “They have serious reservations, serious concerns, about the improvements planned on Lead Mine Road,” prefaced Knuth.

     He explained the concerns range from personal issues such as how the project will physically and monetarily affect people’s properties, to the loss of aesthetics and views of the Wapsipinicon River.

     “Some people have a very nice view of the river that is going to be altered by the improvements that are planned,” added Knuth.

     He said the residents on Lead Mine are also worried about increased traffic on the road, especially right now with the Shaw Road Bridge being torn out.

     Knuth acknowledged flooding issues with the road, saying the residents have been dealing with that particular concern for years.

     Overall, though, he said the property owners merely want to know where the board of supervisors lies in regards to the road project, and wishes to offer input themselves.

     “They’re not sure where the project is at from a political perspective,” said Knuth. “They don’t feel they’ve had the opportunity to let this board know their sentiments and their feelings. And that’s the reason for the petition and asking me to serve as one voice for them.

     “What they’re asking is the opportunity to have input with the board as to what Lead Mine Road is going to look like, what changes should be made, if any,” concluded Knuth.

     He just asked that the supervisors and County Engineer Derek Snead keep the line of communication open with the Lead Mine Road residents.

     “The purpose of my visit this morning is to see if there is the possibility of keeping the door open for discussions with this board in connection with the Engineering Department so their input is heard,” Knuth said. “They have concerns about being able to be a part of the process.”

     The supervisors assured Knuth and those present at the meeting that Snead’s office has yet to finalize the road project plans.

     “I would think when the final plans are done, we’ll have several meetings with the area out there before moving on it,” said Supervisor Wayne Manternach. “That seems to be the practice in the past, and I don’t see how that would change.”

     Some of the county supervisors attended the Lead Mine Road neighborhood meeting on May 24 at the Engineer’s Office. Snead commented that he felt the meeting went well and they heard the concerns of those present.

     “But it’s very difficult to envision what the end product will look like,” he warned.

     Supervisor Ned Rohwedder praised the Engineer’s Office for their effort to keep the residents informed. “I thought our engineer department did a very good job of at least presenting the preliminary plans, and I think that was all in an effort to appease, or at least inform, those residents up front, even though they’re not finalized. They demonstrated what changes they’re proposing.”

     The board asked Knuth if he was at the meeting to address specific concerns regarding the project. To that, Supervisor Joe Oswald suggested those details could be addressed at another meeting when the board has more time.

     “I was encouraged by Derek (Snead) and Todd (Postel, assistant engineer) for meeting with folks in their office during the day. It shows that they’re open to listening to folks and addressing their concerns,” said Oswald. “But keep in mind, we’re recognizing that the people on Lead Mine Road have concerns, but we are also responsible for all taxpayers of Jones County.”

     Snead said like every other grading project in the county, his office has been in contact with the landowners throughout the preliminary plan phase.

     Manternach said as long as he’s been on the board, he’s never heard complaints from property owners after a road project was complete. “I never had a phone call that the road was worse after the fact than before,” he said. “There have never been complaints about the end result.”

     Snead, again, warned that until all of the project permits are in place and the final plans are approved, nothing is set in stone.

     “We can’t say anything yet because we don’t have the answers,” he said. “So many things can change. We like to be further along before we offer input.”

     Supervisor Jon Zirkelbach commented that getting the information out too soon could spark a rumor mill.

     “Unfortunately that’s happened,” Snead said. He said petitions, like the one presented, can sometimes have negative effects on a proposed project.

     He also suggested the independent land appraiser would be a good resource for some of the property owners. “They are more capable to answer some questions.”

     The board approved to place the petition on file.

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