Planning commission approves annexation of about 48.41 acres near Country View Road after resident raises water concerns

The Verona Planning Commission on Feb. 3, 2025, voted to approve the recommendation to annex approximately 48.4115 acres made up of three parcels in the vicinity of Country View Road; the commission’s approval will be forwarded to the Wisconsin Department of Administration for review and, if recommended, to the Verona Common Council for final action.

The annexation request covers three parcels totaling about 48 acres. Planning staff said the parcels would be zoned rural agricultural upon annexation and that existing uses would be allowed to continue. Mr. Severson, planning staff, told the commission that the Wisconsin Department of Administration is reviewing the petition and that, if the DOA approves and the commission recommends annexation, the matter will go to the common council for final review.

The meeting included public comment from Mark Geller, who identified himself as the Town Chair of the Town of Verona and a resident of 2681 Country View Road. Geller said he was not there to oppose the annexation but to give context about water-quality problems on Country View Road. “Residents on Country View Road have had contaminated private wells,” Geller said, describing recurring coliform contamination that, when present, makes well water undrinkable. He said the applicant, identified in the packet as EPIC, has worked with town residents and offered to pay to connect affected homes to city water at no cost to the residents or the city. “They would cover the costs of providing city water to the residents on Country View,” Geller said.

Commissioners asked staff to clarify whether a water-service decision is part of the annexation. Mr. Severson described the water connection as a separate policy issue for the common council, noting the annexation request itself is a procedural request before the commission. Commissioner Hanger asked whether the annexation would create an island of city territory; Mr. Severson replied that state statute permits islands when there is a boundary agreement between municipalities and that a city–town boundary agreement exists in this case.

Commissioner Touche moved to approve the annexation for approximately 48.4115 acres, with the conditions listed in the staff packet; Alder Posey seconded the motion. The motion carried with six yes votes and one abstention. Commissioner Powers recorded an abstention. The commission recorded no “no” votes on the motion.

The commission also approved the minutes of its Jan. 6, 2025, meeting earlier in the session.

What happens next: the commission’s recommendation and the DOA review must be completed before the common council takes final action. The packet notes the parcels will be zoned rural agricultural upon annexation and that existing uses would remain allowed.