Mequon officials approve Swan Ridge Farms subdivision despite some opposition
Development of Mequon's new Swan Ridge Farms conservation subdivision will continue to move forward after the Common Council on May 10 approved plans to rezone the preserve, despite some hesitation from some council members and residents.
The Common Council voted, 5-3, to rezone the 86-acre parcel on the west side of Swan Road from 5-acre to 1-acre lots. The Planning Commission on March 21 recommended the move.
"I'm on the fence about how to vote on this. I don't like that it's switching from 5-acre to 1-acre (lots)," said Ald. Robert Strzelczyk, who ended up voting against the proposal.
Swan Ridge Farms includes 83 lots.
The plan recommends two road connections from the the existing subdivision and to connections off Swan Road.
Several residents spoke in opposition of the proposed development's effect on the surrounding rural area.
"When we purchased our home in 2019 I was under the impression that we were moving to an area that would remain rural," said Patrick Humpal. "I thought Mequon would be a place where I could raise my kids away from traditional suburban sprawl."
The developer states that homes in the proposed subdivision would range from $575,000 to $900,000. As a whole, the subdivision is expected to generate annual tax revenue of $650,000 to $1,027,000, according to the city.
Ald. Jeffrey Hansher said he'd be directly affected by the new development because he lives nearby. However, he said the new subdivision would improve the city overall.
"I look at this subdivision as a way of broadening our community of people that want to live in Mequon, that want to contribute to Mequon. I don't see it as a disadvantage. In fact, I relish the fact that we have more people that want to live in our community," Hansher said.
The developer will need to bring the subdivision into the sewer service area, which is a six- to nine-month process through the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District and the Wisconsin state Department of Natural Resources. The expected time frame to break ground is spring 2023, said Joe Bukovich, vice president of development with Point Real Estate.
Contact Alex Groth at agroth@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @grothalexandria.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Mequon officials approve Swan Ridge Farms subdivision
