Plan Commission approves preliminary plat for Bluestem at The Prairie, citing stormwater safeguards

The Oak Creek Plan Commission on July 14 approved a preliminary subdivision plat for Bluestem at The Prairie, an 88‑lot single‑family development proposed for 2241 and 2264 West Prairie Wind Boulevard.

Todd, a city planner, told the commission the two parcels total nearly 35 acres and are proposed for RS‑4 single‑family zoning; the preliminary plat would create 88 lots and preserve wetlands and the site’s environmental corridor in outlots. "They're undeveloped, agricultural lots currently," Todd said while describing the layout and environmental protections.

Why it matters: commissioners and a neighboring resident focused on stormwater, tree removal and lot sizes. Paul Nelson Grieger, who lives at 2231 West Rawson Avenue, told the commission he is "somewhat of a custodian" for a creek that exits a culvert under Rawson and said he fears increased runoff and the loss of deeper prairie topsoil. "I'm concerned about development taking place in the fields behind because of groundwater absorption, the loss of native plants and trees," Grieger said.

The applicant and staff responded that stormwater controls are part of later submittals and that the project has been reviewed by consultants. John Seapman, the applicant with Seapman Realty, said the project meets state and local standards for discharge and that the design captures much of the runoff and releases it more slowly. "We capture most of it and let it out slowly," Seapman said, adding that native plantings are planned in an outlot to the north to act as a generous filter strip.

City staff and consultants said the site includes several stormwater ponds and that the plan complies with Chapter 13 of the municipal code; Sullivan (staff) told commissioners the project received MSD review and approval the prior week. Commissioner Matt noted the plan includes "5 plus ponds" for the overall site.

Todd said 18 trees would be removed as part of construction and the applicant proposed planting 38 replacement trees concentrated in the northeast environmental corridor. A commissioner flagged a slide discrepancy showing minimum lot size of 8,000 sq ft but an average figure incorrectly listed near 5,000; staff and the applicant acknowledged the slide error and cited a corrected average figure of about 9,599 sq ft.

Commissioner Clark moved to approve the preliminary plat with conditions: (1) coordination of all water and sewer utility connections with the Oak Creek Water and Sewer Utility; (2) coordination of required development and stormwater agreements with the engineering department; (3) completion of technical corrections required for compliance with the municipal code and Wisconsin statutes prior to recording; and (4) submission of all revisions electronically to the Department of Community Development prior to permit applications. The motion was seconded and, after roll call, carried.

Next steps: the applicant will submit technical revisions and grading/stormwater plans for later review and final plat approval and will proceed in phases (Phase 1: 47 lots in the north; Phase 2: 41 lots to the south). The city will monitor compliance with code and stormwater agreements during subsequent reviews and permitting.