West Bend parks commissioners deny proposed Rainbow Lake trail connection to conservancy

The Park and Recreation Commission on Jan. 29 voted to deny a developer request for a new trail connecting a proposed Rainbow Lake condominium development to the Lac La Ronne Conservancy, after the conservancy’s friends board and several commissioners raised concerns about erosion and ongoing maintenance.

Staff described the proposed path as a private‑side trail that would cut into the conservancy; the existing trail connection remains in place under the original developer agreement. Members of the conservancy friends board told staff they opposed adding a second trail because it could increase erosion and impose new maintenance burdens on volunteers.

"They were pretty adamant about it," staff said of the friends board. Commissioners debated whether closing the existing trail and opening a new one would be an option if the developer’s final layout warranted it, and several members said they would prefer to wait for final site plans. Still, one commissioner moved to deny the request based on the information available and the commission voted to deny.

Outcome and implications: the motion to deny was made and seconded during the meeting and the chairman called for the vote; commissioners voiced support for the conservancy’s stewardship role and emphasized volunteer maintenance responsibilities. Staff said they will continue to receive final development plans and can bring the trail question back if new information supports reconsideration.

What was on the record: reasons cited for denial included the conservancy friends board’s stewardship concerns, the risk of erosion on that section of property, the prospect of added long‑term maintenance obligations and uncertainty about the developer’s final layout. The commission recorded the denial, and staff will reflect the decision in future developer‑agreement negotiations.