The Fond du Lac city attorney is recommending the city council deny petitions for a binding referendum on future development of the lighthouse peninsula and Oven Island at Lakeside Park. The council will consider the petitions at their meeting tonight that ask for two questions, in the form of ordinances, be placed on the April election ballot. The ordinances would require public referendums before there could be any development on Oven Island or the lighthouse peninsula. The petitions are in response to an alternative master plan that calls for building a restaurant near the lighthouse and an amphitheater and parking lot on Oven Island. The city attorney says her recommendation to deny the petitions is based on state statute that direct legislation cannot oppose actions already taken. The attorney for the group circulating the petitions say the ordinance does not stop development, but gives taxpayers a say.
