Plan Commission recommends rezoning of Riverside Park after contentious public hearing

On Jan. 8, 2026, the Plan Commission of the City of Eagle River voted to recommend that the City Council amend the zoning for a portion of Riverside Park from Park/Recreation (PR) to Single Two-Family Residential (R-2) and to approve a preliminary plat for a proposed subdivision.

The motion to recommend rezoning, made by Commissioner Adam Grassl and seconded by Commissioner Alex Forer, passed on a roll-call vote: Grassl, Forer, Brad Adamovich and Kim Schaffer voted yes; John Hletko voted no. The companion motion to recommend approval of the preliminary plat, also moved by Grassl and seconded by Forer, passed by the same tally.

The hearing drew dozens of residents from the City of Eagle River and neighboring towns. Dozens signed a petition presented by Dale Ayers on behalf of concerned residents; Ayers said the petition totaled 577 signatures and was headed “Lets not divide, let’s keep the Fairgrounds wide.” Several speakers urged the commission to preserve waterfront access and to require thorough environmental and fiscal impact studies before any rezoning or sale. "We want lands that include Riverside Park and the Fairgrounds to continue to be greenspace without buildings," one commenter said.

Vilas County Chair Jerry Burkett, the petitioner, defended the plan as a response to county fiscal constraints and state revenue limits, saying the parcels are underutilized and that sale revenue would be used to support county services. Burkett told the commission that, "Vilas County is the #3 least taxed county in the state" and that roughly half of the City of Eagle River's property is tax-exempt, arguing that new taxable parcels would broaden the tax base. He estimated, on a cautious basis, net proceeds of about $1.5 million after expenses.

Phil Kriesel of MSA, the consultant on the proposal, said the county would pay to get city sewer and water to the proposed development and that a local water-main loop of less than 100 feet would be completed at city expense for water-quality reasons; Kriesel also cited the 65% residential impervious surface standard that would govern stormwater protection for the subdivision.

Commissioners debated environmental and infrastructure concerns during their deliberations. Commissioner Kim Schaffer said connecting the proposed lots to city sewer and water is "the soundest way environmentally to add homes to the city," and noted that while the parcel could physically accommodate about 18 lots, the preliminary plat as presented shows 10 building lots with outlots at each end that the county would retain. Commissioner John Hletko asked for an estimate of net proceeds; Burkett replied the cautious figure was $1.5 million after expenses.

Opponents raised additional concerns about long-term public access to the riverfront, stormwater and infrastructure costs that could fall to the city, and the loss of limited green space in the area. Nan Andrews told the commission she opposed the rezoning and urged commissioners to "deny the preliminary plat and maintain current Park/Recreation zoning," also questioning a perceived conflict of interest related to Burkett's county role.

Mayor Deb Brown and Burkett encouraged residents to raise the issue with state officials about revenue limits. The commission did not require additional studies as a condition of its recommendation, but Mayor Brown suggested bringing "an additional set of professional eyes" back to review stormwater, roads and parking as the project moves toward City Council and state plat review.

The commission's advisory recommendation now moves to the City Council for final action; the preliminary plat will also undergo state approval processes before any lot sales or development proceed.