Elk Mound Plan Commission tables action on Independence Drive development
By Cara L. Dempski
ELK MOUND — The Elk Mound Plan Commission delayed action on a proposed development south of Independence Drive after the developer had questions regarding payment for installation of utilities.
At the May 10 meeting, developer Gene Caron questioned who would be financially responsible for putting in utility services, and to what point, for the proposed development of up to 11 more multi-family homes extending south toward interstate 94.
Caron was present at the meeting with landowner Mark Nelson for approval of the Certified Survey Map Application and approval of rezoning the land to R4, which would allow construction of dwellings to house up to four families.
Nelson’s land is part of the parcel south of Independence drive directly across from the building which formerly housed the Elk Mound office of the Marshfield Clinic, and borders land owned by Laverne Ausman already approved for development.
Commission chairman Terry Stamm expressed concern about the utility service lines and how much was needed to be taken care of immediately.
“What number of feet of water and sewer would need to be extended in order to provide service?” Stamm asked.
Public Works director Mark Levra clarified past projects have been required to extend service lines to the property line for each new development.
Caron stated the idea for the meeting and his plan was to set things up for future work to be done on the project. Stamm voiced his hope it would be Caron doing the work of extending the service lines, as other businesses and developers have signed commitment statements indicating they would take care of the extensions in the past.
The developer seemed to balk at the idea of paying for the extension of the lines to the end of the property line, but Stamm explained to him what had happened in the past.
“If I understand the public commission rules the way they are now, we either get a statement from you that you would be willing to extend them (the service lines), because we don’t know for sure you’ll be the one (who completes the development),” Stamm stated.
Caron rebutted with “I’m not sure I would be willing to extend them and pay for it if I weren’t planning to complete the project.”
There was some question, though, as to whether the requirement to extend utilities to property lines was still part of the public commission rules.
The discussion regarding the rules of extending service lines continued, only ending after both Caron and the commission agreed further research was necessary before a decision could be made. The group agreed to meet again May 17 at 6 p.m.
