Dixie Highlands is first subdivision OK’d by town in a decade

The Port Washington Town Board last week approved the final plat and a development agreement for the Dixie Highlands subdivision on the north end of the township.

The conservation subdivision would be created on 35 acres south side of Dixie Road between highways B and KW. Roughly 10 acres of the property would be used for seven houses with the rest set aside for preservation.

It is the first subdivision in the township approved in roughly the last decade, officials have said.

Monday, the Town Board approved minor change to the development agreement, which was approved earlier.

Instead of a $100,000 letter of credit, the amendment allows developers Peter and Nick Didier to place $100,000 in a construction escrow account for the town.

“This is much more advantageous for the town; maybe not so much for the developer,” Town Chairman Mike Didier said, adding that the change was requested by the developers. 

“That money is in our possession. If we need it, we can take it from that account,” Supr. Gary Schlenvogt said.

The money is to be used, if needed, to complete infrastructure work if the project begins but work is never completed, he noted.

“That way the town can finish it, but not at the town’s expense,” Schlenvogt said.

The subdivision has generated some controversy with several neighboring property owners arguing that it is an unwelcome encroachment in an otherwise rural area and will only prompt additional development that will usurp agricultural uses.

John Brooks, W2946 Jay Rd., Town of Belgium, told the Town Board in November,  “You’re taking some of the most beautiful, pristine land in the county and turning it into a subdivision.

“Conservation subdivisions don’t conserve anything. They destroy.”

Jon Waldhuetter, 1856 Dixie Rd., Town of Belgium, added, “In my opinion, the growth and building is going to continue until the town is built up. It’s frustrating to see this. It doesn’t belong here. That type of subdivision stuck in the middle of nowhere  is a mistake. It needs to be used to grow stuff, not stick big houses on.”

The men said the town should adopt the same agricultural zoning that the Town of Belgium has, saying it offers more protections. 

However, Town of Port board members noted that when its ordinance was created, residents said they didn’t want an agricultural preservation ordinance. They wanted a conservation subdivision ordinance. 

Conservation subdivisions, which must have a minimum of seven lots, allow farmers to develop a portion of their property while conserving the bulk of the land, allowing them to make money while still preserving the natural areas and beauty, he noted.