New Richmond council approves school expansions, awards $1.9 million street contract and signs off on rezones and event permits

The New Richmond Common Council on Tuesday approved conditional use permits for expansion projects at three School District of New Richmond properties, awarded a $1,898,872.08 contract for the city's 2025 street and utility package, and approved multiple rezoning and special-permit items, including the city's annual Fundfest applications.

City Planner Amber Taucier told the council the School District submitted a single conditional use permit application covering Star Elementary School, New Richmond Middle School and Paperjack Elementary School; the materials were presented as three separate staff memos. "The school has a maximum of 80 staff working at a time and so the increase in parking is appropriate," Taucier said while summarizing Star Elementary's plan.

Star Elementary: The proposal calls for three building additions (two on the west, one on the east), reconfigured pick-up/drop-off lanes and an increase in parking from 88 stalls to 147 (an increase of 59). The staff memo lists the school's impervious surface at 25 percent (below the Z4 district's 40 percent maximum). City staff and the planning commission recommended approval with 26 conditions; the council approved the permit by roll call.

New Richmond Middle School: The proposal includes four building additions and reconstruction and expansion of the northern parking lot. Taucier said the parcel's proposed impervious surface is 40.8 percent, which "slightly exceeds city requirements," though staff noted that when combined with the adjacent Paperjack parcel the combined impervious percentage is reported as just under 26 percent. The middle school's parking would decrease from 276 stalls to 213 (a reduction of 63) because the facility previously served as a high school. Staff and the planning commission recommended approval with 23 conditions; the council approved the permit by roll call.

Paperjack Elementary: Plans call for four building additions, reconfigured pick-up/drop-off lanes, a new entrance and additional parking. Taucier said the parcel's impervious surface is proposed at 15 percent, under the Z4 district threshold, and parking would increase from 105 to 128 stalls (an increase of 23). City staff recommended approval with 27 conditions; the council approved the permit by roll call.

The council also approved two rezoning requests. Adam Nerby's application rezoned a 10-acre parcel at 1690 County Road K from Z1 (Agriculture Preservation) to Z2 (Suburban), a change staff said is consistent with the comprehensive plan's low-density residential guidance; staff recommended approval with no conditions. Separately, Creative Home Construction Investments (represented in the packet by Wind Cities Land Development) won approval to rezone three remaining parcels of the 200-acre Gloverdale property from Z1 to Z3 (Multi Use Corridor), consistent with the comprehensive plan's mixed-use corridor guidance; staff recommended approval with no conditions.

Event permits for the 2025 Fundfest, submitted by the Richmond Area Chamber of Commerce, were approved with conditions. Staff asked the council to require clearer details on dumpster and portable-toilet locations, confirmation that handicap parking and sidewalk access will be maintained, explicit guarantees that the West Third Street alleyway will remain passable for emergency access, a final sound-amplification end time for Sunday, proof of insurance and payment of fees, and submission of any temporary alcohol licenses and adequate server staffing. City staff told the council they will not issue permits until required fees, proof of insurance and other conditions are received.

In procurement and capital items, the council accepted the low bid for the 2025 Street utility project from Total Excavating for $1,898,872.08. Staff said the package centers on Biltmore Avenue reconstruction and also includes construction of the Oaks Trail (a crushed-aggregate trail with boardwalk sections along the north side of Paperjack Creek), alley reconstruction, and replacement of some lead service lines. A preconstruction meeting with the contractor and affected neighborhoods is anticipated and staff said on-site work will likely start after Memorial Day; some utility-related work could start earlier depending on contractor scheduling.

Council members approved a final resolution (Resolution 042501) to proceed with special assessments for the alley reconstruction; staff told council members assessments will be based on linear frontage and will range roughly from $600 to $1,500, with property owners able to pay up front or spread the charge over five years on property tax bills.

Other approvals included awarding miscellaneous concrete work to the low bidder (concrete flooring) and a purchase of wood utility poles from Bell Pull for $31,609 for the electric department. On the concrete item, materials in the council packet listed a low bid of $35,633 while a motion during the meeting referenced $35,006.33; council discussion did not resolve that numerical discrepancy during the recorded remarks.

The council also approved a proposal from SEH, Inc., for a pre-demolition asbestos and regulated-materials survey at an estimated cost of $8,106.60 to support a planned controlled burn and training exercise at an old farmhouse and barn west of Wall Street. Staff said updated sampling is needed so demolition/abatement contractors can submit accurate bids.

Finally, the council adopted Ordinance 6-22, which revises the composition of the city's tourism committee by removing the explicit requirement that two local-business representatives be recommended by the Richmond Area Chamber of Commerce and clarifying that residency in city limits is not required for committee members; the changes take effect immediately and do not alter existing three-year terms.

Votes at a glance

- Star Elementary conditional use permit: approved (motion carried; roll call). Staff recommended 26 conditions.

- New Richmond Middle School conditional use permit: approved (motion carried; roll call). Staff recommended 23 conditions.

- Paperjack Elementary conditional use permit: approved (motion carried; roll call). Staff recommended 27 conditions.

- Rezoning, 1690 County Road K (Z1 to Z2): approved (no conditions).

- Rezoning, three Gloverdale parcels (Z1 to Z3): approved (no conditions).

- 2025 Street & utility project: contract awarded to Total Excavating, $1,898,872.08 (approved).

- Resolution 042501 (special assessments for alley reconstruction): approved.

- 2025 Fundfest permit applications (streets/parking/alcohol/amplification): approved with the staff-recommended conditions; proof of insurance and fees required before permits issued.

- Miscellaneous concrete work: awarded to concrete flooring (packet: $35,633; motion cited $35,006.33).

- Purchase of wood utility poles: approved (Bell Pull), $31,609.

- SEH, Inc. pre-demolition asbestos survey: approved, $8,106.60.

- Ordinance 6-22 (tourism committee composition): adopted.

Council members and staff said several items will require follow-up meetings with neighborhoods or additional submittals by applicants before work begins or permits are released. The council adjourned into a closed session later in the meeting under Wisconsin statute 19.85(1)(e) to discuss negotiating the purchase of public properties and related business.