Zoning committee conditionally approves preliminary plats for Preserve phases 4 and 5; stormwater plan required before final

The Sawyer County Zoning Committee conditionally approved preliminary plats for the Preserve at MBF LLC — Phase 4 (seven lots) and Phase 5 (21 lots) — saying final approval will require DNR-approved stormwater-management plans and the continuation of covenants used in earlier phases.

Staff reported the preliminary applications met submission requirements and that the county surveyor conditionally approved the plats. The subdivider will build private roads to town specifications and must submit wetland delineations and a DNR stormwater-management plan before final plat approval.

Phase 4’s preliminary approval included a condition that Phase 1 and Phase 2 covenants be carried forward. A public comment for Phase 4 urged that deeds or covenants notify prospective buyers about nearby gravel pits so purchasers are not surprised by occasional mining activity. Developer Jeremy Hill said he would make buyers aware and suggested a signed acknowledgement could be used; he said many nearby gravel pits operate only a few days a year.

Phase 5 drew an objection letter from a long-time Hayward-area resident who opposed development on conservation and wildlife-habitat grounds. The developer responded that lots were purchased from previously open-managed land and defended five-acre lots as the least-dense option for the site.

The committee approved Phase 4 and Phase 5 preliminary plats with conditions including recorded covenants, wetland delineation where required, and formal DNR stormwater-plan approval before final plat recording. Roll calls for both phases recorded votes in favor from committee members present.