Board approves Forest Ridge rezoning and preliminary plat with wetland-permit condition and added North Shore sidewalks

During new business the board approved rezoning two parcels to single-family residential and then considered the preliminary plat for the Forest Ridge subdivision. Staff explained several parcels in the plat are subject to wetland regulations and that, under state rules, developers must obtain DNR permits before permanently filling wetlands. "By DNR requirements, they need to go to a permitting process to be able to get those permanent to fill them," staff said, adding that lots may not be sold until required wetland permits are secured.

A resident who spoke during public comment had urged the board not to allow filling wet areas, saying, "It's my understanding that it was classified as a wetland." The board responded by making wetland permitting a condition of the preliminary-plat approval and adding explicit language that lots cannot be listed for sale until permits are in place.

Trustee Chelsea Lancaster moved to add a condition requiring sidewalks along North Shore Road; the amendment passed on a roll-call vote and the overall preliminary-plat motion, with conditions 1–20 plus the new sidewalk condition, passed unanimously. Staff said the sidewalk requirement will be added to the file and handled in developer negotiations.

Why it matters: The approval advances a subdivision that affects adjacent residents who raised environmental and drainage concerns; the board and staff required DNR permitting and added a sidewalk condition intended to improve pedestrian access.

Next steps: The developer must pursue DNR permitting for wetlands; if permits are denied, the condition in the preliminary plat will prohibit sale of affected lots until compliance is achieved.