The Cross Plains Planning Commission and Village Board approved the preliminary plat for the Marchstone development on July 28, 2025, voting to move Phase 1 forward while attaching staff‑recommended conditions and several waivers.

The decision advances a proposed residential subdivision and associated amenities, including a golf course, after extended public comment that focused on traffic at the Church Street/North Military Road intersection, stormwater and groundwater impacts to springs and Black Earth Creek, pesticide use on golf courses, and the adequacy of prior traffic counts.

Why it matters: the Marchstone site lies near headwaters that feed Black Earth Creek, a trout stream valued for recreation and ecological services. Commenters and watershed groups urged a cumulative impact study and 100% infiltration of stormwater for the development’s runoff to protect springs and stream flow; developers and village staff said required regulatory review will involve the village, Dane County, and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

Developers and village staff
Jeff Hain, representing the landowners and development team, emphasized local ties and said the project has been reviewed for months by village staff and that DNR and county oversight will apply as the proposal progresses. Adam Watkins of Weiser Engineering and project counsel Robert Proctor were present to answer technical and legal questions.

Resident concerns and technical requests
Public commenters raised multiple issues: written comments from nearby property owners asked how the village will choose among roundabout or signal options at Church Street and Military Road and whether property acquisition, utility relocation, drainage, speed limits and costs would be required. Residents questioned the use of a 2016 traffic study and urged an updated traffic count that includes daytime agricultural and semi‑truck movements and school bus turning radii.

Environmental groups and scientists urged careful water‑resources review. Henry Nels Lowe of the Southern Wisconsin chapter of Trout Unlimited said the site includes wooded hillsides and a recharge area that feeds a spring supplying Black Earth Creek; he asked for engagement of groundwater experts before approving additional phases. Michelle Harris, a board member of the Black Earth Creek Watershed Association, asked the village to require Marchstone to achieve “100% of rainwater and snowmelt infiltration” for the development and to study cumulative impacts of the golf course and development on spring flow and water quality. Developers said they are targeting very high infiltration rates and pointed to prior DNR review of comparable projects.

Traffic and access
Multiple residents from Oak Valley Estates and the nearby neighborhoods said the planned development will increase local traffic load and urged a third access route or direct access to Highway 14 so neighborhood streets do not absorb construction and long‑term traffic. Commenters pressed the village and developer to re‑examine connections to Bur Oak/Stagecoach and Evergreen Parkway (also referred to as Military Road in comments) and questioned whether a roundabout would worsen pedestrian safety compared with traffic signals.

Approvals and conditions
The planning commission approved the preliminary plat contingent on staff recommendations and granted requested waivers, including lot‑size waivers and permission for a payment of fees in lieu of on‑site parkland dedication, to be formalized in an agreement. Village board trustees later affirmed the planning commission’s recommendation. As part of the record, staff noted the applicant’s infiltration calculations and stated additional regulatory review will be required for later phases: any expansion of the urban service area, and County or DNR permits for stormwater and wetland-related work.

What was not decided
The board’s action approved only the Phase 1 preliminary plat and associated waivers and did not approve later phases, the golf course itself, or any change to the municipal urban service area. The transcript and staff comments make clear that Phase 2 — and any road connections, traffic treatments at Church Street and Military Road, or changes to infiltration commitments — would require additional approvals, separate engineering submittals, and external agency review.

Requests for further study and next steps
Several commenters asked the village to require independent groundwater and cumulative‑impact studies, and to update traffic counts during busier agricultural periods. The Black Earth Creek Watershed Association asked the village to work with the developer to achieve best‑practice stormwater, fertilizer/pesticide management, and long‑term monitoring before approving additional phases; watershed representatives said they provided a July 24 letter with cost and study suggestions. Staff and trustees indicated those concerns will be considered as staff conditions and as part of any future review; the village will also rely on county and DNR oversight where applicable.

Local context and follow‑up
Trustees and planning commissioners emphasized that Phase 1 approval does not guarantee later approvals and urged continued engagement among the developer, village staff, technical experts, and community stakeholders. The developer told the boards they have worked with village staff repeatedly over about a year and will continue to respond to regulatory and village requirements. Residents and environmental groups said they will request additional study and independent input before later approvals.