LETTER: Port voters should say no to requiring votes on projects

To Ozaukee Press:

Port Washington is a community where people grow up, raise families and hope to stay for the long term. It’s a place people care deeply about—whether they are putting down roots for the first time or have called it home for decades. As Realtors, we see that every day, working with first-time home buyers and longtime residents who want to remain in the community they love.

Many of us live, work and invest here as well, which is why the April 7 referendum is important to us.

Port Washington is a strong, desirable community, and stability plays an important role in protecting that foundation. Community members are right to pay close attention to decisions that shape the long-term health of our neighborhoods, housing market and property values.

On April 7, voters will consider a referendum that would require citywide elections for certain development projects.

While the proposal may be well-intended, changes like this can have broader ripple effects. Adding uncertainty to how projects move forward can make it more difficult to attract investment over time. When that happens, it can slow growth in the tax base, increase pressure on homeowners and affect property values.

Requiring elections for individual projects could also introduce delays and  add costs and uncertainty—factors that can make it harder for communities to plan and grow in a consistent, predictable way.

It is also worth noting that no other city, town or village in Wisconsin has adopted a similar approach, which may reflect the potential risks and unintended consequences of this type of change.

Our goal is not to divide the community, but to share insight based on our experience and encourage thoughtful consideration of the long-term impacts as Port Washington looks to the future.

From what we see every day, stability plays an important role in keeping communities strong, supporting homeowners and ensuring places like Port Washington continue to thrive for the next generation. For these reasons, we believe a no vote on the April 7 referendum is the best path forward.

Erin Hickey

Grafton

The author is CEO of the Lakeshore Realtors Association