Candidates say affordable housing an issue for village

Grafton’s residential and commercial boom underscored Thursday’s trustee candidate forum.

Incumbent trustees Jim Miller and Dave Armstrong debated the village’s ability to promote affordable housing while challenger Sarah Scarpace advocated for targeted commercial development and Kevin Curtis supported improved walkability downtown.

Armstrong, who advocated for single-family housing developments over apartment projects, joined the other candidates in expressing a desire to reduce home prices in new subdivisions, which he acknowledged often only offer homes that are too expensive for middle-class citizens.

However, he was skeptical the village could help reduce prices. According to a village study released last year, local developers have said the cheapest home price they can break even at is $400,000.

“Affordable housing sounds great. However, there isn’t a developer who wants to build those houses,” Armstrong said.

Miller disagreed.

“I think we can make it work, but I don’t know if we are trying hard enough,” he said. “We got a longtime partner in Bob Tillman.”

Tillman developed the Shady Hollow, Stonewall Farms and Hawk’s Ridge developments.

“Let’s talk with Bob and say, ‘What can you do for us Bob? We need to get affordable housing for residents who want to live here,’” Miller said.

Scarpace said the Village Board needs to find a way to offer affordable housing or it will face bigger problems.

“I understand developers (would not be) making money, but there are many businesses in the area that are unable to hire workers because rents are so high,” she said.

Curtis said development should be focused downtown, along with projects to make the area more pedestrian friendly.

Miller, on the other hand, said the board should keep growth on the periphery of the village, away from downtown, to retain “some semblance of the old Grafton.”

Scarpace criticized the quantity of chain restaurants, shops and banks moving onto the village’s east side.

“There seems to be an ongoing disconnect between the different types of businesses wanted by residents vs. what is being approved for development,” she said. “People have stated time and again that there are enough banks, fast food and coffee shops and said they would like to see more quality sit down restaurants approved.”

  Miller proposed that the village purchase the so-called triangle properties at the intersection of  17th Avenue and Washington Street or allow at most “moderate, moderate” development on the site. The properties were proposed to be used for high-density apartment buildings, plans that were scrapped after vehement resident opposition.

If the village purchased the land, it  could be used as a home for the Grafton Historical Society and other community organizations, Miller said.

Miller also criticized what he sees as a stifling of resident input at board meetings.

“If you come up to the front and talk, then you get two minutes with a clock over your shoulder,” he said. “That needs to change. Peoples voices need to be heard.”

Miller and Curtis pointed to the controversial narrowing of a portion of 10th Avenue approved last month by the Village Board as an example.

Residents complained of safety and traffic concerns due to the road narrowing, as well as misleading information sent by village staff members.

“I think a lot of times issues come up that (officials) don’t want to be discussed and transparency disappears,” Miller said. “We need to improve.”

The forum was hosted by the Grafton Chamber of Commerce and moderated by the Ozaukee County League of Women Voters.