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God’s Gathering Place seeks annexation of Eagle River parcel to access city sewer and water
Summary
Representatives for God’s Gathering Place described plans to buy Parcel 14-1807 (5.83 acres), build a tax-exempt facility for an estimated 200–250 people on the southern three acres with improvements estimated above $1 million, and asked whether annexation into Eagle River would be supported; commissioners asked staff to quantify fiscal impacts including potential PILOT arrangements.
A representative for God’s Gathering Place told the City of Eagle River Plan Commission on Feb. 5 that the organization is interested in purchasing Town of Lincoln Parcel 14-1807 and pursuing annexation into the city to connect a commercial-use facility to city sewer and water.
Bill Lochte, representing God’s Gathering Place, said the parcel is 5.83 acres and the group would like to build a tax-exempt improvement on the southern three acres off Pine Street, estimating the improvement value at more than $1 million and an intended usage to serve roughly 200–250 people. Lochte said the Wisconsin Department of Transportation has provided written access approval for the southern highway side of the parcel (Pine Street).
Robin Ginner, a city staff member, said no formal annexation request or application had been submitted as of the meeting. Commissioners discussed the likely tax-exempt nature of part or all of the development and mentioned a possible payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) as one option to offset lost property taxes if annexation were approved.
Commissioners also discussed logistics and cost responsibility for connecting sewer and water to the southern three acres to serve a commercial building. The commission emphasized that, because the land is not currently city property, the landowner would be responsible for costs associated with a sewer and water connection, but asked staff to try to quantify what, if any, financial burden annexation with tax-exempt status would create for Eagle River taxpayers.
No formal action on annexation occurred at the meeting; commissioners requested a staff analysis of fiscal impacts and infrastructure costs before any application or recommendation is advanced.
