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Fort Atkinson council approves Ridgeview Estates zoning changes, PUD plans and three construction change orders
Summary
Council approved two certified survey maps, two planned unit development general development plans, directed ordinance preparation for two zoning amendments and approved three construction change orders related to the Ridgeview Estates development near Fort Atkinson High School.
The Fort Atkinson City Council on Feb. 20 approved zoning and subdivision actions and authorized three construction change orders for the Ridgeview Estates development east of Fort Atkinson High School.
The council voted to approve two preliminary certified survey maps for properties east of the high school (one south of Trillium Drive and one north of Trillium Drive) and approved planned unit development (PUD) general development plans for Lot 1 (formerly Lot 61) and Lot 2 (formerly Lot 1). Council also directed the city manager to prepare ordinances for first- and second-reading consideration on March 4 to amend the official zoning map to PUD over MRH-30 for Lot 1 and to MRM-12 with a PUD overlay for Lot 2.
Why it matters: The approvals clear a regulatory step for the Ridgeview Estates project, which includes an 87-unit, three-story apartment building with underground parking, multiple attached townhome-style units intended to be owner-occupied and associated public infrastructure such as stormwater retention.
City building inspector and zoning administrator Drager told the council the multifamily component seeks flexibility from setback requirements under the MRH-30 base zoning and described the PUD overlay as the mechanism by which the developer requests deviations. Drager said the project meets the city's site plan and design requirements except for several setback flexibilities driven by topography and grading constraints. He said the plan commission reviewed the materials and recommended approval with the listed conditions.
Council members asked about parking counts and fire access. Drager said underground parking provides one stall per unit for all but one unit and that surface parking remains available; he said two accessible spaces are included. Fire Chief Peterson confirmed the department reviewed turning radiuses and that the building will be fully sprinklered and have an automatic alarm system.
On construction financing, interim city engineer Andrew Albert and city staff reported three change orders tied to unanticipated site and material conditions and additional clearing: Change Order 1 (import of structural fill) for $137,500; Change Order 2 (disposal of unsuitable materials found during excavation) for $60,732; and Change Order 3 (additional tree clearing and grading where needed, including along Banker Road and the high school boundary) for $12,600. Albert said additional test pits and field investigation reduced the contractor's initial estimate of unsuitable material and helped the team identify on-site sources of structural fill. Total of the three change orders is $210,832, which exceeds the project's contingency by about $10,000; staff said available project funding (estimated funding sources $4,825,000) leaves them comfortable moving forward while continuing cost monitoring.
Votes at a glance: The council approved the two preliminary certified survey maps (motions passed by voice vote), approved the two PUD general development plans (motions passed by voice vote), and voted to direct the city manager to prepare the two zoning ordinances (motions passed by voice vote) for consideration on March 4. The three Ridgeview change orders were each approved by motion: CO #1 for $137,500, CO #2 for $60,732, CO #3 for $12,600; funds to be charged to the Banker Road construction expenditure account.
What comes next: The design and site-specific elements will return to plan commission for Special Implementation Plan (SIP) review prior to final site-plan approvals. The zoning ordinance amendments will come back to council for second and possible third readings on the March 4 meeting agenda. Staff said the road construction portion will await spring conditions when frost leaves the ground.
Ending: Council members asked staff to continue monitoring costs and funding sources; staff said they would identify additional sources if needed and that most grading/unknown soil work is complete, reducing the likelihood of further major change orders.
