EM plan commission approves CSM, rezoning for development

By Cara L. Dempski

ELK MOUND — The Elk Mound plan commission approved both a certified survey map and rezoning petition for land on the south side of Independence Drive during a November 2 meeting.

The land, currently owned by Laverne Ausman, is currently zoned for agricultural use, and will be used to build a series of multi-family rental homes. Len Schreiber of Cedar Corporation was joined by developers Gene Caron and Mike Ruwowski at the meeting.

Plan commission member Terry Stamm voiced concern over the square footage of the lots facing onto Independence Drive where the development team is hoping to start construction on two duplexes within the next few weeks.

Schreiber informed the board the lot would need to be approximately 14,000 square feet with an extra 2,700 square feet because the land would be zoned as R4. This means the lot could be used for a home housing up to four families.

The smaller of the two lots is .87 acres, or approximately 17,000 square feet.

“The bare minimum we would need for each of these is 16,700 square feet,” Schreiber told the commission.

Schreiber presented a map of the two lots that will be developed before the end of 2016 indicating existing utility access for the initial two buildings. The map indicated there is existing water and sewer service on that part of the street, with pipes carrying a six-inch bore.

“Really, all we’d need to do is connect everything,” Schreiber said. “There would be no need to dig into the street.”

The two duplexes comprise the first phase of a proposed development that could house upwards of 34 families if the team secures approval to build a further 15 duplexes in 2017.

The November 2 meeting marks the third time Schreiber, Caron and Ruwowski have approached the village of Elk Mound about building a new housing development. The group initially asked the plan commission about developing land on the east end of University Street. This plan was rejected after the plan commission learned it would cost village residents $300,000 to run utilities to the homes from the main lines on University.

Schreiber, Caron and Ruwowski next approached the village to rezone land on Jersey Lane for a multi-family dwelling in April. This plan was rejected by the commission, who wished to maintain the R1 status of Jersey Lane the developers were purporting to use.

Mike Tietz, a plan commission member, asked Caron and Ruwowski what the buildings will look like. Caron presented the entire commission with a draftsman’s mock-up of the proposed homes. Stamm asked if the rental figures for the properties had been made public information yet.

“We’re asking for $1,100 to $1,200,” Caron informed the commission. “They will be three-bedroom homes.”

After the commission approved the certified survey map and application to rezone the land to R4, the proposal moved to the village board for approval.