Submitted by Tom and Helen Dasson, Livonia
The current proposal by the Town of Livonia to rescind the dock laws is a step backwards. One only needs to look at the hodge-podge of lot sizes, shapes and placements around the lake to understand the importance of zoning laws.
I think the picture that accompanied your article was intended to show problems related to the shoreline curvatures. But the first thing that caught my eye when I saw the photo was the lack of uniformity to the lots, which greatly adds to the dock location problems.
This is a result of insufficient or non-existent zoning guidance in the past. Livonia and the other towns around the lake have added and strengthened zoning more recently to the point where we now have a sound basis from which to guide further development in a way that gives flexibility to the property owner without causing undue adverse affects to neighboring properties.
Our laws are hardly onerous when compared to those in the suburbs of Rochester or other cities. We would not consider revoking those laws and returning to the chaos that would result. The dock laws extend that guidance to the water. They are well thought out and reasonable.
The fact that one party has the means to try to subvert them by employing biased consulting does not show that they are unworkable. Rather, the fact that he has lost his case twice shows that they are doing the job despite such efforts. We feel that the laws should remain in place.