Hillcrest project moves closer to groundbreaking

Building plans for the Hillcrest Development are slated for approval contingent on final reviews by the Fredonia Plan Commission, Village Board and a number of reviewing agencies.

The final approvals, which are expected to be completed by mid-September, could pave the way for construction on the neighborhood this fall.

The village’s first residential development in more than a decade would add 90 single-family lots and a dozen duplex units.

Discussions on the development go back to Nov. 2019, when developer Hillcrest Builders purchased the 40-acre property where the neighborhood would be built.

The project was delayed due to the pandemic and negotiations with the village on project financing, but now groundbreaking on the project is within reach.

The Village Board reviewed plans for the development north of the Northern Ozaukee School District campus during an Aug. 19 meeting. Paul Apfelbach of Hillcrest Builders presented the final plat and told trustees that Hillcrest hopes to break ground on the development by the end of September.

While the village seems poised to approve the plat during its Sept. 2 Plan Commission meeting, trustees questioned whether the plat would be approved by other agencies before the estimated groundbreaking.

Public Works Director Roger Strohm said that in addition to village approval, elements of the project also need approval from groups such as the Ozaukee County Highway Department, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Public Service Commission. The plans must also pass internal review by the village fire chief, building inspector and engineer.

“Forty-five or 50 days seems kind of short for that all to happen right? Is that a realistic expectation?” Trustee Bill McLarty asked.

Strohm said plans for the development should be sent out as soon as possible to respective agencies. With the plans on hand, agencies will be able to send any objections to the commission ahead of its Aug. 30 meeting.  

“We’d like to get the engineering in their hands as soon as possible,” Strohm said.

He added that Hillcrest will be able to break ground on the project without final approval from the agencies — it just won’t be able to sell lots.

The Village Board unanimously approved the development plat contingent on the other approvals but still needs to provide its final go-ahead in September.