Plan Commission approves permanent rezoning of 159.07 acres annexed at South River Road and Sand Drive

The West Bend Plan Commission on Nov. 4 voted to permanently rezone approximately 159.07 acres recently annexed at the northeast corner of South River Road and Sand Drive from temporary RS‑4 to permanent RS‑4 single‑family residential, including the floodplain and wetland overlays noted in the staff packet.

At a public hearing before the vote, resident Bruce Girock asked, "Are there plans once it's rezoned?" Staff member John replied, "There are no plans that have been submitted to the city with regard to what's planned for the property," and explained that annexation and private sale/closing are separate processes. Resident Mary Anne Klobundi asked whether the land had been sold to the city; staff clarified, "Annexation doesn't involve the sale of property to the city," and said the land remains privately owned and is being sold to a private party (staff said staff was aware of offers to purchase but did not have a closing date).

Staff told commissioners that RS‑4 is the city's standard single‑family residential district and reiterated that floodplain and wetland areas cannot be developed with homes; any future development, final plat or permit would be submitted to the city for review. After public comment, the commission moved, seconded and voted in favor of the rezoning.

The commission recorded the formal approval; specific development plans, lot layouts, timing and buyer closing dates were described by staff as "not specified" and are private matters between seller and purchaser. The rezoning applies the following overlays listed in the staff packet: FPS (flood storage), FW/FPW (floodway/floodway), FWW (floodway wetland), SW (nonshoreland wetland) and SW shoreland wetland district.