Richmond trustees discuss housing developments

The Richmond village board met for its regularly scheduled meeting on February 16, 2005.

 

There was considerable discussion about the Phase 2 plan for the Sunset Ridge Estates housing development located north of Rt 173 and east of Rt 12 behind Magnolia’s restaurant.  A representative from KLM developers owned by Kim Meyer presented plat drawings for the board to consider. Phase 2 involves 39 lots. There were no revisions on the platting.

 

After consultation with village engineer Tim Hartnett, it was decided to provide off street parking in the development near the new sport field behind the Taco Bell restaurant.  The board made sure that the site drainage easements were recorded properly and a letter of credit for a bond was in hand. Village attorney Lisa Waggoner was asked to prepare a letter making certain that all requirements were complied with.

 

President Kevin Brusek said another consideration for the development was “more complicated.” There are two road easements each 33 feet wide at the south end of the development. Owners of the lots bordering the easements met with the village plan commission to make sure the easements would not interfere with their lots. Waggoner said that the village has “no intention to build a road” on the easements.

 

Walnut street resident Deb Nelson expressed her concern to Hartnett that Walnut would become a through street. Hartnett said that there were no plans to change the street. Trustee Roy Wulffen said he wanted to make sure that “no rights were taken away from the people living on Walnut St.”

 

In other business, Brusek asked Jensen Disposal to temporarily suspend pickup of recycling from the schools to see if that might explain the high billing cost to the village.

 

Jeanine Nagle sent a thank you note to the village for clearing the snow on Broadway.

 

Under an agreement with school District 2, the village will be responsible for cutting the grass at the schools. The cost will be paid by the school district.

 

The village will print 40,000 copies of the village brochure as required by grant funding from the state. The current brochure will be updated.

 

The village agreed to pay half of the $500 cost for the annual Easter egg hunt in Spring Grove.

 

Trustee Dan Deters suggested that the “most restrictive” zoning requirements for the village currently set at less than an acre be made to coincide with the county’s requirement of 5 acres. Brusek said the move would “promote urban sprawl” but Deters disagreed. Trustee Schultz said, “This would help to keep the rural character in Richmond. One house on 5 acres has much less impact than 5 houses on the same property.” Brusek said that the minimum zoning of E1 has been in force since the 1970’s. Wulffen said, “Just because it’s been done since 1977 doesn’t make it right.” Waggoner said she would check with other towns for comparisons.

 

The annual Presidential Ball will be held on Saturday evening at Memorial Hall. The public is invited to attend this gala event. Tickets may be purchased on Saturday at the village hall. Call

 

Deters, “How do you define ‘sprawl’? Let’s say I’ve got 100 acres. If the most restrictive zoning is E5. – 20 homes. Brusek would rather 250 or 300 homes on the same 100 acres. I would like to know how Brusek defines ‘sprawl.’ My point is that it is a negotiation tool. If you’ve already given away a lot, you can expect a little.”