[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6249628,"mediaKeyId","3204970-40ee429bbb792832dd0cecd2cb505c28","parentId",3204970,"title","Germantown board begins discussion on a multifamily housing threshold; no vote","audioSeconds",645,"startMs",4305000,"endMs",4950000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3204970-40ee429bbb792832dd0cecd2cb505c28&start=4305&end=4950","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3204970-40ee429bbb792832dd0cecd2cb505c28/thumbnail_4305000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6249628/Germantown/Washington-County/Wisconsin/Germantown-board-begins-discussion-on-a-multifamily-housing-threshold-no-vote","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6249628-3740561475d40e00868c4cd440ad586b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770929669&Signature=RK8FM~6K3OqtgsolgTBoXoYK2Q8Ia3oaFlbA-nKo57o3qt1M72-1-JZRaGFlYUmVoh2lF0LQ2kO~wZ419eNUM13Z0ZjM4lJC0LT9Rabt2yEc7bvzOR8HElRzeWKCjA5g9JjC5q~bPdZAChANxt0VCgHD~s14jtt5mx9S1AFZJ6a8YycUFTAtvu-nTgbryosCX35EuavDwpqTvftN0Rs6iEDh6~LXPSu57Qi0tC9qM~aG~DxDdJ~G~vwLY2FriUgWU5-IQhnq9rvm0bJbrbmGVIxvBj4GyDtX0dBYB2~F0FDpW~z7yh5y2kZY264R0VkE5yxGOPYfwyyqgSnocd1RAA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Village of Germantown, WI","date","2025-05-07T00:56:54.837Z","article","The Village of Germantown Village Board held an extended discussion on whether to adopt a policy to limit the amount of multifamily housing in the village. No formal vote was taken; staff and trustees agreed to send further analysis and recommendations to the Plan Commission for work on specifics and any recommended text for the village’s 02/1950 plan or an ordinance.

Planning staff presented a comparison of Germantown with surrounding and comparable communities, showing Germantown’s housing stock at about 75 percent single-family and 25 percent multifamily. Planning staff noted the list of comparables can be expanded and that definitions matter: whether the village is limiting multifamily units generally, multifamily rental units, or some other subset (for instance, large apartment buildings versus small multi-unit ownership structures such as duplexes or condominiums).

President Soderbergh framed the discussion as an attempt \"to take the emotions out of the argument\" he heard during the election and pointed out a trade-off: \"If we say no to multifamily and we wanna keep it at 25%, that means that we couldn't even do phase 2 of the Village Center project.\" Planning staff added that some municipalities in the region have adopted thresholds (the presentation cited Wauwatosa and Oconomowoc as examples) and stressed that arbitrary percentage limits can produce unintended consequences, including housing shortages, socioeconomic segregation, or missed economic opportunities that higher-density housing can support.

Trustees engaged the topic from multiple perspectives. Trustee Jan Miller and others urged clear definitions for multifamily, ownership versus rental, and whether small multi-unit ownership (duplexes/condos) should count as single-family or multifamily. Trustee Kaminski and Trustee Baum recommended using market research — including the Tracy Cross housing analysis referenced by trustees — and hearing from developers and realtors about the kinds of housing products that would be viable in Germantown. Trustee Rick Miller supported a percentage-based policy in principle but said he was not ready to name a specific percentage.

Staff also presented demographic context. Planning staff showed the village’s median age has risen to about 42.3 years and said that trend — along with slower population growth and out-migration of younger residents — is part of why the village is examining housing mix. Trustees noted the need to weigh school-district enrollment impacts, traffic and infrastructure capacity, community character, and economic development goals when shaping any policy.

Outcome and next steps: The board asked staff and the Plan Commission to continue work on definitions and options, to bring back additional comparative communities and market information (including the Tracy Cross report and developer input), and to return with a draft policy or plan amendment for the Plan Commission to recommend to the Village Board. No ordinance or binding limit was adopted at the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Village Board 5/5/25","oneSentenceSummary","The Village Board held a discussion-only session on whether to adopt a policy limiting multifamily housing, reviewed staff data showing a roughly 75% single-family to 25% multifamily housing mix, and directed further study and Plan Commission work.","taxTitle","Germantown, Washington County, Wisconsin","taxId",69247,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6249633,"Germantown board approves outdoor service, licenses and two conditional-use permits",288,2058000,2346000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3204970-40ee429bbb792832dd0cecd2cb505c28&start=2058&end=2346","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3204970-40ee429bbb792832dd0cecd2cb505c28/thumbnail_2058000.jpg","/articles/6249633/Germantown/Washington-County/Wisconsin/Germantown-board-approves-outdoor-service-licenses-and-two-conditional-use-permits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6249633-5cc5c6720bb1ebf36e8fd882cbc55b56/orig.mp4?Expires=1770929669&Signature=bhayDMkNd56qSGkoqDmGolLh97xQYMkDMxSrlqqyZrXG2FlmtVryzR46wJuo~IXVGTZeo8-hd10OGg5yHGGrQBj~Wb-RLEnOunTvFZU5PL1vfRoQ1oiviLdGMYuUGqrIY2svtQ~XFFvsUHJ7xlTnQAftyc6fytfF7CAiUobSM9y8~a-6ot-ox0aV4BX5cNbftFwo51I64QI7vorogl57ucyA-QjxynTHDvZ-52EHh9fzv0XZgeXHVq88f8HWTqy0gmFZzo1FWg5NX8kne0g7mvIUbsUglbCL90kBEWWQQHfRCioLCuE9bq9pyCufakxLeNeMDdogBhF9rwhBQTWxLw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Village Board approved several consent and new-business items that drew minimal discussion: an amended outside-premises extension for Mateo’s Mexican Grill at Pilgrim Road; renewal of a secondhand-article dealer license for Grama Antique Mall; a producer retail-sales permit for Component Brewing’s Hops and Hounds event at Homestead Hollow Park on July 11, 2025; an amendment to a conditional use permit for Wendland Nursery to add horticultural services and permit retail sales of products not grown on-site; and a conditional use permit to convert an existing addition into a mother-in-law suite for Paul and Christine Ryan at Century Lane.

Planning staff presented the Wendland Nursery amendment and the Ryan mother-in-law suite. Staff said the nursery’s 15-acre site is zoned A-2 agricultural and that the proposed greenhouses and existing uses are consistent with zoning and the comprehensive plan; the plan commission had recommended approval of the amendments. The Ryan residence is a 5.26-acre RS-1 single-family parcel; staff reported the accessory dwelling would meet the ordinance limits (no separate exterior access, occupancy limited to a family member, accessory space under 50% of total living area) and recommended approval with conditions.

The board confirmed a previously presented ethics board appointment and approved the consent agenda (minutes from the April 21, 2025 meeting). All motions for these items carried by voice vote or roll call as recorded in the meeting minutes. Planning staff invited questions; applicants and agents were present for the Wendland item. Jordan (planning staff) summarized the applications and noted that the greenhouse building plan for Wendland — roughly 2,500 square feet — had been approved by the plan commission the prior week.

What this means: These actions maintain existing business operations and allow the two property owners to proceed with modest site improvements and an internal conversion for family use. The approvals do not change zoning or create new land-use designations for the properties.","The Village of Germantown approved an array of routine items including an outside-premises extension for Mateo's Mexican Grill, a license renewal for Grama Antique Mall, a producer sales permit for Component Brewing, an amended CUP for Wendland Nursery and a mother-in-law suite CUP for a Century Lane property.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6249638,"Germantown board approves nearly $14.2 million in notes, removes Grosnick reimbursement",1394,2382000,3776000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3204970-40ee429bbb792832dd0cecd2cb505c28&start=2382&end=3776","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3204970-40ee429bbb792832dd0cecd2cb505c28/thumbnail_2382000.jpg","/articles/6249638/Germantown/Washington-County/Wisconsin/Germantown-board-approves-nearly-142-million-in-notes-removes-Grosnick-reimbursement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6249638-df6a135555c2d3163f95860fbcd6987a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770929669&Signature=VLhtyqIHrw4q-1smhAdKZS6qo0XENwLXMFACysma2l-kQpKJWeF36Z4BkHgMzGE41tWKzpVnuiCi9Tzn-3TP36Se5oKkjYLPcH8qV0imZX2Kdd~IchFFqMQNIsHt0fnk-dFbMSlu4Spi3Zy66BwkLABWTZSPz-6G6xFeLArueB-OSAHaYFO7Kb410R-jY1KLnC~RfUiJ7wH1e-E8yAveUys-3wAZwlfLmllfUXZNuzCe2~5GtzuYDYr3Ww8qF83JsOzSXXfaXYsW4ulwlBommLzVO-nMRGQsGYKnizFhV~q-7QTsf0jFbh8-I-CkC5P-Xax1XRj3V~ikJkwL4nhKdA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Village of Germantown Village Board voted to approve two financing measures on parameters for 2025 borrowings: a taxable issuance not to exceed $9,980,000 and a tax-exempt issuance not to exceed $4,165,000 to fund Village Center property acquisitions, demolition and routine capital projects. The board amended the taxable issue to remove $1,170,000 that had been included to reimburse the village for the Grosnick property purchase.

The action matters because the issuances would finance property acquisitions and other approved capital projects and because some of the purchases tie to the Village Center planning effort that could later be part of a tax increment financing (TID) plan. Financial adviser Phil Casa of Ehlers told the board the two-part structure splits taxable borrowing for land that may be sold to private buyers from tax-exempt borrowing for standard public-purpose capital projects.

Phil Casa, Ehlers, explained the split: \"There is no TID 10 at this point,\" and said the taxable note would be used for property acquisition, demolition and related professional services while the tax-exempt note would finance projects such as roads and equipment. Casa described the taxable note as a 20-year issue and the tax-exempt note as a 10-year issue and told the board the team modeled conservative growth and interest-rate assumptions in projecting tax impacts.

Trustee Meg Cutts said she had \"issues with the Grosnick property being in there simply because we already own it,\" and asked whether the village could wait to reimburse the general fund. A village staff member responded that reimbursing the general fund was the intent and that the board could postpone reimbursement to a later bond cycle without creating a material problem for the fund balance. Trustee Rick Miller moved to remove the $1,170,000 Grosnick line from the taxable issue; Trustee Jan Miller seconded and the amendment passed.

Board discussion also covered timing and process. Casa said the financing team planned a flexible sales timeline to allow for market movement and said, if the board proceeded on the schedule discussed, bids could be taken around June 3, with closings targeted June 26 so purchases could be executed before the July 1 contract deadlines cited in the presentation. Casa said the timeline and the parameters resolutions give the village flexibility to move the sale date if market conditions warrant.

The amended taxable parameters resolution and the tax-exempt parameters resolution were adopted by roll call following the amendment. The board directed staff and the financial adviser to proceed under the parameters and continue communication with the village president and staff before locking final sale dates.

Background: Casa told the board his models assumed long-term conservative growth for property valuations (he said staff discounted recent high five-year growth by roughly 75% in their projections) and included scenarios both with and without a new TID. Casa said the village’s debt-service levy would remain manageable in the firm’s model and that borrowing capacity after these issues would be roughly 43 percent of statutory capacity at the time of presentation.

What's next: The board approved the parameters resolutions as amended and instructed staff and advisors to proceed. The Village Center project and any possible TID would still require separate approvals and community engagement before tax increment revenues could be used to repay any portion of the borrowings.","The Village of Germantown approved two promissory-note resolutions to finance village capital projects and property acquisitions, and amended the taxable issue to remove roughly $1.17 million tied to the Grosnick property reimbursement.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Germantown board begins discussion on a multifamily housing threshold; no vote

Germantown board approves outdoor service, licenses and two conditional-use permits

Germantown board approves nearly $14.2 million in notes, removes Grosnick reimbursement