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Arrowwood developer wins alternative sidewalk plan after wetlands review; council accepts neighborhood route and surety plan
Summary
Viridian Homes told council that a federally regulated wetland along Concord Road prevents a sidewalk in the county right-of-way within 12 months; council approved the developer's alternative connection through the subdivision and required surety that the path will be completed when grading and phases allow.
The City of Oconomowoc on June 17 accepted an alternative sidewalk alignment for Arrowwood Subdivision Phase 4 after the developer told staff a federally regulated wetland and steep grades would make completing a Concord Road sidewalk within 12 months impracticable.
Background and staff findings At an earlier meeting council had required a sidewalk along Concord Road within 12 months as a condition of final plat approval. Developer and staff follow-up work identified a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-jurisdictional wetland adjacent to Concord Road. The wetland and associated vegetation, plus county permitting conditions that limit how close a sidewalk can be to the road centerline, make an in‑right‑of‑way sidewalk both difficult and likely damaging to trees and grades.
Developer proposal and council decision Developer Viridian Homes proposed an alternate route that uses internal subdivision trails and sidewalks to route pedestrians east and north through the neighborhood and then back to Concord Road at a point north of the wetland. The company also offered to hold funds in surety while completing the work during later development phases and said the path could be installed when the subdivision’s phases and grade work permit it.
Council action The council approved the developer’s proposed alternative alignment, subject to standard conditions and the developer’s posting of surety to guarantee eventual completion. Staff will coordinate any required maintenance agreement with Waukesha County and the eventual homeowner or city maintenance obligations.
Why it matters Sidewalk connectivity was the central concern: council members emphasized safe pedestrian connections for future residents while avoiding unnecessary tree removal and the permitting risk of disturbing a federally regulated wetland. Approving the internal route allowed the subdivision to proceed while ensuring the city obtains a financial guarantee that the required pedestrian link will be installed.
Next steps Viridian Homes will post the agreed surety and complete the internal path segments as grading and phases permit. Staff will return for routine plat-recording steps and will confirm the maintenance arrangements required by the county for sidewalk in the county right-of-way where applicable.
