Waukesha State Bank says it will negotiate as Hartland pursues police-station site; residents press park concerns

Waukesha State Bank told the Village of Hartland board that it is willing to negotiate over a roughly 3-acre parcel at 550 Hartbrook Drive and will not seek to unduly delay a formal eminent-domain process if the village determines the site is the best location for a new police station. "If the village decides that this is ultimately the best place for you to build your police station ... and if the bank receives fair and reasonable compensation, then the bank is prepared to respect the process of eminent domain," bank representative Keith Vandellarschott told the board during public comment.

The statement came as several residents urged trustees not to proceed with plans to site a municipal building on Hartbrook Park. Karen Whartonby of 602 Rivermeadow said recent heavy rains showed the park’s role in absorbing floodwater: "If we fill that with a village hall and all the blacktop right up over the flood plain, what do we think that's gonna do to the river in the future?" she asked. Another resident said she had collected petition signatures from more than 95 residents in two senior buildings opposing use of the park.

Why it matters: Trustees are weighing land options for combined municipal facilities and have begun preparatory steps but have not adopted a formal purchase or construction decision. Board members told the public they will hold informational sessions and that staff are preparing a resolution of necessity and appraisals if acquisition moves forward.

During announcements, Village President Panner said the "resolution of necessity is in the process of being drafted" and that the village typically obtains an appraisal before acquiring property: "We would most likely never do it without the resolution of necessity, at least that's the guidance of our attorney. Along with that ... we would probably never really deal with any land without an appraisal of some sort." The board scheduled public information sessions and asked residents to attend or request one-on-one meetings with staff.

Discussion versus action: The bank’s comment and residents’ remarks were part of public comment; the board did not make a purchase, adopt a resolution, or vote to commence eminent domain at the meeting. President Panner described internal next steps (drafting a resolution of necessity and obtaining appraisals) but no formal action on the parcel was taken that night.

Details drawn from the meeting: The parcel address cited by the bank was 550 Hartbrook Drive and was described as "roughly 3 acres." Residents raised three recurring issues: flood-risk and the park’s role in stormwater capture; possible restrictions tied to prior grant funding for park improvements; and community opposition expressed through petitions. Board members and staff repeatedly said they would verify any grant restrictions before proceeding and encouraged public attendance at upcoming information sessions.

What remains unresolved: Whether the village will pursue purchase or condemnation of the Hartbrook Drive parcel, whether any grant-funded improvements would require repayment if the park were redeveloped, and whether the village will select an alternative site. Those matters were not decided at the meeting.