[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-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",[32,75,87,98,110],{"_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",6146352,"mediaKeyId","5527805-1491c4f4bdab61fa5794a85022cf9c09","parentId",5527805,"title","Board approves special‑event permits, rezoning for Rau Farms and three‑year assessment contract","audioSeconds",3623,"startMs",2047000,"endMs",5670000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5527805-1491c4f4bdab61fa5794a85022cf9c09&start=2047&end=5670","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5527805-1491c4f4bdab61fa5794a85022cf9c09/thumbnail_2047000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6146352/Germantown/Washington-County/Wisconsin/Board-approves-specialevent-permits-rezoning-for-Rau-Farms-and-threeyear-assessment-contract","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6146352-acc80b94c93a10700c93c955b46ce4b1/orig.mp4?Expires=1775272092&Signature=iPCGVEMlVahhDJ5-KJxmb3Cfr7MqkLQWDlfd-vE04GE~vUurnPobi1NP4hF0gX0xy~HtDAK1K78Wv1ouwQwWQ-pnZjNukLuQJdgyZ3NZO1xHgesxfNBHIEUgtfKKdOA0FHaKGdpfqdYnVyDKBbbKUYaiEML25zdGJGmknad5E9te9qyVqeGb2Yd-5CoEwbP6sYaskWLOY4gTcP7FO4SdQwabH4M9plOIkxBpVlPWE~44YG8cGBA-t~fJx1MWfie28gDuPiHhernfcv9PAzXLhqpm1Xf1GRnAvig1uO~y26F0Wz4fBLVWUyDCusQRquaAExrCODhVKru3rqwNrzEh5Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Village of Germantown, WI","date","2025-08-05T14:38:12Z","article","The Village Board approved several routine and substantive items on the agenda, including a special event outdoor extension and temporary outdoor entertainment permit for Big Sky Country Bar & Grill on Aug. 16 during the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight charity golf outing, a rezoning and certified survey map for a Bonnewell Road property, and a three‑year contract renewal for assessment services.

President Soderbergh entertained motions for each item. Trustees voted to approve the Big Sky special event and temporary outdoor entertainment permits for Aug. 16, 2025. The board then approved a rezoning request submitted by Accurate Surveying & Engineering LLP on behalf of Rau Farms LLC to rezone approximately 1.15 acres (applicant described application as a 4‑lot CSM and rezoning from A‑1 to A‑2) located at N136 W21238 Bonnewell Road; the motion to approve the rezoning and certified survey map carried. The board also approved renewal of the village's assessment services contract for another three years; the finance director said the vendor had been the village's assessor since 2020 and the contract had been vetted by the Governance, Grants and Finance committee.

Why it matters: the rezoning changes land classification for a specific parcel and the assessment contract governs the village's property valuation process for taxation purposes. The special event approvals permit expanded operations at a local bar/restaurant for a single day and include the conditions tied to the permits.

All motions passed as presented. No significant debate was recorded on the Big Sky permits; the rezoning motion passed after a standard roll‑call vote; the assessment contract renewal was approved after committee review. The meeting record shows the board later convened to closed session on separate agenda items.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Village Board 8/4/25","oneSentenceSummary","The Germantown Village Board approved a one‑time outside premise extension and temporary outdoor entertainment permit for Big Sky Country Bar and Grill on Aug. 16, approved a rezoning and four‑lot certified survey map for a Bonnewell Road property, and renewed the assessment services contract for three years.","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},6146357,"Police, fire and EMS chiefs tell board high‑density housing and TIDs likely won't require major new staffing now",289,3071000,3360000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5527805-1491c4f4bdab61fa5794a85022cf9c09&start=3071&end=3360","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5527805-1491c4f4bdab61fa5794a85022cf9c09/thumbnail_3071000.jpg","/articles/6146357/Germantown/Washington-County/Wisconsin/Police-fire-and-EMS-chiefs-tell-board-highdensity-housing-and-TIDs-likely-wont-require-major-new-staffing-now","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6146357-87b88027ab41a021932ab4f3afe8c1cb/orig.mp4?Expires=1775272092&Signature=MxnynIzDZBMGKlSGqIiO7dQYnL3eyNz7S1OUlGwInvlObkrSYe4T3BWrhtQFSF7h6WgS3hj8zTs0-F7cUmTwbB1BkcXSKR5pYyw2RezrK~1bfvN8KbRwrSWYH781mGJS~ehwPINwJZTGvdCc8478RPHKTkHou8tcfES4yQ9M5HLbZAdics-M7ZZNF53F0c6qQ1kUGlW1wvpCt06qKTwP29oC8k1joulJpvqhB6xKpkaJgag8HAGs48q-aBdiHA2EcUr49cBQeGvaUkT~VOK1ZW7a4A5Cyxfi5-JXelBHdRH-9Oegt2keD5Pdo~XWuy0QBzjkwPnnryf3ZQos2P8Jbg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Police, fire and emergency medical services officials told the Village Board they do not currently expect planned housing growth in the village center to create a substantial immediate need for additional personnel or equipment, though trustees discussed how Tax Incremental Financing (TID) areas shift costs and shared service burdens.

Trustee Rusty Cuts (item sponsor) briefly summarized the public safety committee discussion earlier in the day and said the chiefs advised that future housing calls depend on the resident population and that some senior living facilities generate more EMS calls than other housing types. Cuts noted the chiefs did not believe the anticipated redevelopment would require additional staff or major new equipment at this time. However, trustees discussed that when services are provided within a TID, tax revenues generated inside the TID remain committed to the TID and therefore do not directly offset villagewide service costs for existing taxpayers.

Trustee Jan Miller said Ehlers will produce updated financial numbers on Aug. 15, and several trustees asked that the financial modeling be revisited before any new TID is created. Administrator Kraklo and trustees also said the village is tracking month‑to‑month calls to retirement facilities and retail locations to better understand operational impacts.

No formal action was taken; trustees requested updated fiscal modeling from Ehlers and continued monitoring of police, fire and EMS call volumes in residential developments as part of planning work for the village center.","Police and fire officials told trustees they do not expect immediate, significant increases in staffing or equipment needs resulting from proposed housing growth in the village center, though trustees raised concerns about shared services in tax increment districts.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6146362,"Resident criticizes proposed Fire Station 2 expansion; public safety committee presents two options",0,1670000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5527805-1491c4f4bdab61fa5794a85022cf9c09&start=1670&end=1670","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5527805-1491c4f4bdab61fa5794a85022cf9c09/thumbnail_1670000.jpg","/articles/6146362/Germantown/Washington-County/Wisconsin/Resident-criticizes-proposed-Fire-Station-2-expansion-public-safety-committee-presents-two-options","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6146362-849f8c60e8bb4dc665052eb673586814/orig.mp4?Expires=1775272092&Signature=dUzvRtS31bCsCsMjNjkwz-D3HZvUZz6x2arqs92xWnuImnPDXsZ7s8UwkbLaittiwTOKl5k-1wZbdpcTUFw1NSamYJdu3r3wC2gywiABDKAYvZ2PEUamDpXHxeVTPuRxWmtQoLQVkYspOVXFYVhn-cOH1lLCG61sa-3rqeRwCNeJWZldU85PJAbxzrJ8ipJh51mXEe8ywtTSYjzyAqtdc34hB4YtNvxJxdrUemMzjtAaYR6kpUHP0XlTOXXEqxqU01vzu97OdnyXWrC9gVRxZDYdS~RIArpLL42qI1g8wLMmyIIOOA7b2y2B6c3oAVAUpE16HPqjtOUfIOgQKtGLpA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Germantown resident told the Village Board he viewed a proposed renovation and expansion of Fire Station 2 as excessive and urged the board to consider more modest changes rather than a full replacement.

Wyatt Weir told the board he has lived in Germantown 29 years and said the 11‑bed volunteer station originally built years ago could have been adapted rather than proposing a multi‑bedroom, full‑service facility. Weir said he reviewed a proposal he understood would include at least 10 bedrooms to house up to 20 people, six showers and a fitness center at an estimated cost of $6,000,000, and called that scope “more a want, not a need.” He also criticized routine non‑emergency uses of apparatus and urged the village to consider repurposing space in Station 1 instead of building a second large facility.

At the public safety committee meeting earlier, members reviewed two options for renovation and expansion and recommended additional discussion and review rather than selecting a single option. Trustee Metcuz noted the committee saw “pluses and minuses” to both options and recommended further conversation before a final board decision.

Why it matters: capital spending on fire stations affects the village budget and future operating costs; trustees said the committee's recommendation is to continue deliberation and bring more detail back to the board before making an expenditure decision.

No formal action was taken on the station project at the board meeting; the public safety committee will continue evaluating options, and trustees asked staff to return with additional detail on scope, cost estimates and how the project would change staffing or service delivery.","A resident called the proposed Fire Station 2 expansion a \"want\" not a need and cited a $6 million cost estimate, while the public safety committee said it had reviewed two options and will continue discussing the project.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6146367,"Board discusses options for two Main Street parcels; staff recommends keeping parcels together",848,4310000,5158000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5527805-1491c4f4bdab61fa5794a85022cf9c09&start=4310&end=5158","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5527805-1491c4f4bdab61fa5794a85022cf9c09/thumbnail_4310000.jpg","/articles/6146367/Germantown/Washington-County/Wisconsin/Board-discusses-options-for-two-Main-Street-parcels-staff-recommends-keeping-parcels-together","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6146367-03f4c6c9165a2761162c600053bc8f9e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775272092&Signature=HkFKxbbCBkWWkzgpfjYxBZJyj1BjBdek1nJR-kDviU~ivHXZHpKsG~33LsZ2QaWcVdz6ykF9iMZVo4yKTM5LZCvFa6BdV3SHNoKruIfRfGA1eLmTbtUTAH31VrGlKWUTJj69fy5y0h8iMqudUtSm5zg3IrnJ02O5s4epMtQaHUvuhWqaQCQ9xdS56PqOXO5mbimxWoNKZatQKq1lyvQMvIX6KJSizzRTx-gUXSV7gT6l1hznNnaEkCRbf1MKeKL25x5MTJgLvwz6kP7YeZAl2tj6J~sEzmCZGNWqVKDoPAEcK733TxNNhyAaNWmP6mvaysFa1P8-n1iDKmtwgygecg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Village officials and trustees discussed alternative paths forward for two parcels the village acquired on Main Street and Fond Du Lac Avenue, with staff recommending the village keep the two parcels together to preserve the value and a second access point to the larger 5.2‑acre lot.

Administrator Kraklo explained the village bought the parcels to gain control of future development and to provide a second access point to a roughly 5.2‑acre parcel that otherwise would be severely limited without access from Fond Du Lac Avenue. Staff presented several non‑exclusive options: hold the parcels until approached by a developer; complete relatively low‑cost improvements such as a parking lot or pocket park and hold; list the parcels for sale as‑is; define desired future uses and release a developer RFP (an approach the administrator said Port Washington had used as an example); or develop the parcels for a permanent public purpose such as parking, green space or a community venue.

Trustees emphasized different priorities. Trustee Kaminski said the parcels could become an important linkage between future developments and advised either short‑term holding or defining a desired future use and keeping the two parcels together. Trustee Bob Warren urged a defined public objective and said he favored option 5 — defining desired future development before sale — because that aligns with why the village purchased the land. Trustee Jan Miller suggested the village could temporarily repurpose the smaller building for village activities if sale is delayed, but staff noted potential buyers would expect access to the larger parcel and the building could be removed if sold together.

Why it matters: the parcels are adjacent to the proposed village center and could affect Main Street parking, access and the character of downtown redevelopment. Trustees noted that properties removed from the tax rolls could return to the tax rolls and generate revenue if sold or developed.

No formal action was taken; the item was for discussion only. Trustees asked staff to continue to evaluate options and brought up the possibility of additional outreach if firm purchase offers are received. Trustee Kaminski and others said they preferred holding the parcels for up to a year while monitoring other nearby projects and the village’s larger master plan.","Trustees discussed alternatives for two parcels on Main Street and Fond Du Lac Avenue acquired by the village, including holding, limited improvements, selling as-is, issuing an RFP for desired development, or developing for public use. Staff advised keeping the parcels together to preserve development options.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6146372,"Germantown adds Graef to village‑center outreach; board directs RFP with three consultants",2297,2133000,4430000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5527805-1491c4f4bdab61fa5794a85022cf9c09&start=2133&end=4430","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5527805-1491c4f4bdab61fa5794a85022cf9c09/thumbnail_2133000.jpg","/articles/6146372/Germantown/Washington-County/Wisconsin/Germantown-adds-Graef-to-villagecenter-outreach-board-directs-RFP-with-three-consultants","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6146372-282b7c3227e7aa06f5dc43cc416fc91e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775272092&Signature=gG31T~M3OhDDipvUQ-75fAUJQFdu~aN3LcFAO12oKDW9Ky757FUzpyKJ0qhfWGQ23TVOVNe-KroPnLwLEGO-YTEahQuegG7wYJhfBvzPsA8e1o~klhOjE7hPLIH-6bf2zMkEn-YIt1Dvr2duuy32Miv4wlzXJXGobXw5OH8tV-KpusbBYdEJ27XQ1YL8L33qgyACB~b7JbYPQyR5gD-oS8nwZcRcJk-IlaJY9AC-Ys8QoQdUTEy6GHdv5NBYOwxedOlcQN3Y3yKJ9p5n6wVmA-4HIxNW9VMNYjW0t5~J94eL-B9PBjYqftlVHEB5EO81muoifOQo6T82WRFcQo8egQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Germantown Village Board voted to add Graef to the list of consultants available to lead community engagement on the Pilgrim and Mequon intersection redevelopment — the project the board and staff are calling the “village center” — and directed staff to prepare a request for proposals (RFP) that includes Graef, Rinka and Van de Waal for review at the next board meeting.

The action followed a long discussion by trustees about whether to continue with earlier consultants already engaged on preliminary work or to hire an outside firm for a “fresh perspective.” Administrator Kraklo presented alternatives and said the village needs outside professional resources for additional in‑person and online engagement. He told the board Rinka could complete outreach more quickly and at lower cost because it has already prepared concepts, while Van de Waal had estimated a larger, more comprehensive scope and a cost of roughly $40,000. Rinka’s additional community engagement was estimated at $5,000–$10,000.

Why it matters: the Pilgrim and Mequon intersection parcels sit at the heart of the village’s long‑range plan for a village center. Board members and residents said a clear community engagement process and follow‑up zoning or design guidelines are necessary before development proceeds; some members also linked the discussion to tax increment financing (TID) and the village budget.

Trustee Jan Miller moved to add Graef to the consultant list and Trustee Katz seconded the motion. After debate the motion passed; several trustees voted no or abstained, and trustees asked staff to draft an RFP that defines deliverables, meeting formats, visuals and cost caps and return the RFP to the board for review. Trustee Dave Baum asked the board to make the RFP specific about deliverables (for example: number and format of neighborhood meetings, sample visual illustrations of building heights and densities, and the number of online engagement tools). President Soderbergh said staff will collect trustee suggestions for the RFP and present a draft at the next board meeting.

Residents who addressed the board during public comment urged a community engagement vendor other than Rinka. Melanie Smythe, a Germantown resident, said, “Graef did an admirable job on the work at the workshops on the 2050 plan, and they were nonpartisan, unlike Rinka,” and asked that Graef be considered. Other residents asked that the village keep engagement materials and administrator performance goals in open session and requested clearer financial summaries tied to TID activity.

Board members emphasized different priorities: some said visuals and concept boards are needed so residents can compare two‑, three‑ and four‑story building examples; others said the priority should be new zoning guidelines (density, height, signage and materials) rather than another site layout. Several trustees also asked that the village clarify whether Graef, Rinka or Van de Waal would provide only engagement or a fuller package including zoning illustrations and draft code language.

Next steps: staff will draft an RFP that includes the three consultants for the board to review and will solicit trustee input on required deliverables, meeting formats and budget caps. The board set review of the RFP as the next step before selecting a consultant to lead community engagement on the village center.","The Village Board voted to add Graef to the list of consultants for community engagement on the Pilgrim and Mequon intersection redevelopment and asked staff to prepare an RFP including Graef, Rinka and Van de Waal for board review at the next meeting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves special‑event permits, rezoning for Rau Farms and three‑year assessment contract

Police, fire and EMS chiefs tell board high‑density housing and TIDs likely won't require major new staffing now

Resident criticizes proposed Fire Station 2 expansion; public safety committee presents two options

Board discusses options for two Main Street parcels; staff recommends keeping parcels together

Germantown adds Graef to village‑center outreach; board directs RFP with three consultants