Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Village Center Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Trustees open discussion on potential land exchange at Village Center; ask for wetlands maps and more detail
Summary
Developers proposed a land exchange involving Blackstone Golf Course and village-owned land at the Village Center; trustees did not approve any deal but directed staff to gather wetland delineations and additional materials and continued the conversation before entering closed session for negotiation.
A developer proposal to exchange land at Germantown's Village Center area drew hours of public comment Jan. 20 and a board decision to continue discussion and gather more technical information rather than approve a reciprocal transfer.
What the developer proposed: Representatives from the developer (Highmont Group/Blackstone interests, identified in meeting material and by "Mr. Sedgwick" in public presentation) presented a conceptual exchange: the developer would seek to develop parts of the frontage near Main Street and the closed recycling-center site; in return the village would obtain areas of Blackstone Golf Course currently outside the developer's proposed upland development footprint.
No final action; direction to staff: Trustees did not authorize any land transfer or TIF. Instead the board voted to continue discussions and asked staff to provide a clearer wetlands delineation, maps showing buildable upland versus floodplain/wetland, and other supporting materials so trustees and the public can assess what might be developable and what parkland would be given up or gained. Several trustees and public commenters said they were unwilling to cede playable parkland without clearer benefit to the village.
Public concerns and comments: Multiple residents said they opposed giving up parkland for development without public hearings and said they had not seen a conceptual site plan. Trustee Jan Miller and others flagged earlier attorney invoices and communications showing village staff had been discussing offers and title issues earlier in 2024; residents asked for transparency and to involve Plan Commission and Park and Recreation Commission in review. Trustee Jan Miller moved to postpone, then later made an affirmative motion to continue discussion; board members emphasized that continued discussion does not authorize any land transfer.
Closed session and next steps: After public presentation, the board went into closed session under Wis. Stat. 19.85(1)(e) to allow staff and trustees to discuss bargaining strategy. The village attorney said closed sessions are permitted for negotiation strategy and that any final decision must still be taken in open session. When the board returned to open session they had not approved a transfer; rather staff were instructed to produce wetlands delineations and other technical documents and to continue dialogue with the developer.
Quotes: "We're not looking for any special favors. We're not making any side deals or backroom deals," a presenter identified in the packet as representing the developer said, urging the board to consider a collaborative approach. Trustee Jan Miller said she was "aghast" at the lack of detail and emphasized the Park Commission had not been consulted. The village attorney reminded listeners that closed session does not authorize final decisions.
Why it matters: The proposed exchange would touch on parkland, floodplain/wetland and village-center redevelopment priorities; trustees asked for more technical data, public review by relevant commissions and for staff to return with materials before any formal action or negotiating instruction would be taken in public session.
The board: No transfers or authorizations were approved; board members asked for wetland delineations and a clearer delineation of buildable uplands and directed staff to continue negotiations only with the understanding that any final exchange or development plan must come back to the public and to the Plan Commission for review.
