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Plan Commission recommends Hilltop Grove rezoning after developer ups lot sizes
Summary
The Menomonee Falls Plan Commission voted 4–1 to recommend rezoning the Janzen/Famolo and Merriman parcels to a Planned Residential Development (Hilltop Grove), following developer revisions that raised median lot sizes and reduced the number of sub‑10,000 sq ft lots.
Menomonee Falls — The Plan Commission voted to recommend the Village Board approve rezoning for the Hilltop Grove planned residential development, a subdivision proposed on parcels identified by tax keys 76.93001 and 76.995.
Planner Amy Bennett said the application, previously reviewed as a concept, returns now only for the PRD rezoning; the developer will bring the preliminary plat to the commission in October. Ben Lang of Viridian Homes told commissioners the market shows strong demand for new housing in the $500,000–$800,000 range, noting “there are less than 3 months of total inventory on the market” and that new‑build median prices in the village have been near $730,000 over the past 12 months.
Brian Munson of Van De Waal & Associates described changes made since the last meeting in response to commission feedback: the plan reduces the total unit count by two, raises the project’s median lot size to above about 12,000 square feet, and cuts lots under 10,000 square feet from 44 to six. Munson said five of those six smaller lots will have rear exposure and walkout opportunities because of the site’s topography and the delineated wetlands.
Commission discussion focused on the remaining small lots, buffering to preserved wetlands and adjacent properties, and on transportation details the engineering team is still reviewing — including a truncated bypass lane proposed at Mill Road where existing right‑of‑way prevents a full standard bypass. Staff confirmed the PRD ordinance will list density, averages and the conditions of approval, and that any substantial changes at the preliminary plat stage would require an amendment to the PRD and additional review.
A commissioner moved that the Planning Commission recommend the Village Board approve rezoning to the PRD and create the Hilltop Grove planned residential development; the motion passed on voice vote with four in favor and one opposed. The mover also noted the public hearing at the Village Board is scheduled for Oct. 20, 2025.
The plan commission record for PRD adoption will include the submitted plans and these meeting minutes; the applicant intends to present the preliminary plat at the commission’s October meeting.
