Lake Geneva approves land use changes for proposed developments
Lake Geneva’s comprehensive plan has been amended to accommodate two proposed developments.
Members of the Lake Geneva City Council on Oct. 27 approved changing the land use designation for N3113 Highway H and N3103 Highway H in the town of Geneva and 1336 Elkhorn Road, 1340 Elkhorn Road, 1342 Elkhorn Road and 1350 Elkhorn Road in the city of Lake Geneva from institutional and community service to planned mixed use.
The amendment was approved by a 7-1 vote, with Alderman Joel Hoiland dissenting.
Lake Geneva Plan Commission members approved the amendment during a joint meeting with the City Council on Oct. 13 by a 5-1 vote, with Hoiland again voting “no.”
Representatives from the Haydam Family Trust want to renovate residential buildings on the Elkhorn Road properties for use as workforce affordable housing.
The Haydam Family Trust plans to build affordable apartment units in the town of Geneva.
The family members also plan to have the town of Geneva properties annexed into the city of Lake Geneva to construct a 6,688 square-foot, four-to-eight-unit apartment building to be used for affordable housing.
Each unit of the apartment building is expected to have two bedrooms, one bathroom and a living area. The development also would include 20-24 parking spaces to allow for two vehicles for each unit.
Hoiland said he is against the land use change because he feels the residential developments would be too close to the Public Works Department buildings, which could disrupt residents when Public Works vehicles are being driven into and out of the facilities.
He also feels Elkhorn Road is too narrow, and the residential buildings would increase traffic issues.
Hoiland said city officials should help the Haydam family members find another location for their proposed development.
“There are probably better locations where they can do this type of work,” Hoiland. “We want to support developers that are interested in creating all types of housing in our city. We want to do smart growth, and I think there’s other places where we can do it either in the city or with our neighboring townships around here or cities. I think there’s plenty of other locations that make more sense for a project of this type.”
Alderwoman Cindy Yager said there have been no reported complaints from residents regarding disruptions from the Public Works buildings and that there is a “need for more housing and affordable housing for people to live and work in the city of Lake Geneva is hugely important.”
Yager also feels the development would not increase traffic in that area.
“There’s already four housing units plus one multiple unit that has apartments and a small business in it, and there would not be much difference in the number of people entering and exiting that property once it’s all renovated,” Yager said.
Alderwoman Sherri Ames agreed that more affordable housing is needed in the community.
“This is an area that can use workforce housing, affordable housing. We need it desperately in this city,” she said. “There’s a lot of people who hate hearing those words because they don’t want ‘those types of people here.’ I’m tired of hearing that from people. We need all types of people in this city to work and pay taxes.”
Ames also feels the development would not have much impact on traffic near Elkhorn Road.
“I don’t see any problem with traffic congestion,” Ames said. “If we want to talk about congestion, maybe we need to close the Manor or Country Club Drive. They cause a lot of traffic there, so that’s a moot point.”
Alderwoman Linda Frame said the Haydam family would improve the appearance of that area by renovating the residential buildings on Elkhorn Road.
“If we don’t pass this, it’s going to be another area that’s going to get runed down,” Frame said. “I applaud the family for stepping up and trying to make something of that area that they have and put something nice there for other people.”
Mayor Todd Krause agreed.
“The homes that are there are in extreme disarray, and this would be an improvement in terms of the appearance for that part of the city,” he said.
Land use changed for Interchange North parcels
Members of the City Council also unanimously approved amending the comprehensive plan to change the land use designation for several parcels of land near the northwest corner of Interchange North and Highway 12, near the Stone Ridge subdivision, from planned neighborhood to planned mixed use.
Plan Commission members unanimously recommended the the Oct. 13.
Representatives from Red Rock Builders Inc. of Fontana want to establish a multi-family residential development and commercial development in that area, and also plan to incorporate road access from the neighboring developments to Interchange North.
Frame said road access to and from the Stone Ridge subdivision is needed.
“That is going to help a whole lot of people,” she said.
Krause said other companies have offered plans for the area but have found it difficult to develop.
“In the last year and a half, we’ve had a few people come to staff and present preliminary ideas, but it’s been nothing more than discussion because they realize it’s such a very unique terrain that they just don’t essentially pursue it beyond basic dialogue,” he said. “So, we have a gentleman now who is apparently willing to go for it. It’s a tricky property.”
Representatives from the Lake Geneva Business Improvement District conducted their annual Maxwell Street Days, Aug. 22-24 in downtown Lake Geneva.
