By Kim McDarison
The Fort Atkinson City Council Tuesday approved a second reading of an ordinance allowing for the annexation into the city of 75 acres along Banker Road.
The city-owned land is currently included within the town of Koshkonong.
While the ordinance to annex the Banker Road territory was placed on Tuesday’s agenda with the potential of waiving a third reading and voting for its adoption, City Manager Rebecca Houseman LeMire requested that council approve a second reading only, with the understanding that the proposed ordinance would return July 20 for a third reading, noting the time between readings would be used by she and city staff to verify the appropriate ward designation for use within the new territory.
As previously reported by Fort Atkinson Online, once annexed, the city plans to use the land for future residential development.
In a memo to council, LeMire wrote that the land, which was purchased by the city in 2019, currently includes three parcels.
As a byproduct of the way the land purchased by the city is bounded, it will create, after annexation, “town islands,” leaving seven parcels of undeveloped land, ranging in size from just over a half acre to nearly 8 acres along or near Banker Road, surrounded by land annexed into the city. The parcels themselves will not be part of the annexation.
An intergovernmental agreement between the city and the town of Koshkonong, the municipality in which the parcels will continue to reside, has been approved by both municipalities.
The intergovernmental agreement between the town of Koshkonong and the city was signed May 12.
The document acknowledges the creation of town islands and makes provisions to offer those landowners an opportunity, without objection from the town, to request annexation or attachment to the city.
The agreement further acknowledges that the town and city “desire to work together for the betterment of their communities,” noting that the two municipalities share “many borders and desire to establish and maintain a positive and productive relationship as our lands and futures are intertwined.”
The document also acknowledges a mutual recognition of a need for “open communication and cooperation” as the two municipalities work towards land use planning, subdivisions, and orderly development for the region.
As part of the agreement, the city will pay a lump sum of $868.50 for each of the next five years to the town in compensation for lost taxes.
The city also agreed to provide services, coming, according to the document, with a total estimated value of $26,000. The breakdown of costs and services to be provided includes:
• Plow and salt the south side of Hoard Road from North Main Street to Banker Road, at an estimated total value of $4,000.
• Provide Wisconsin Information System for Local Road Pavement ratings for all the town’s roads and submit them to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. The service comes with an estimated value of $3,500.
• Provide long-line painting on Rock River Road from the city limits to State Highway 106, including yellow centerline skip and white edge on each side; Hackbarth Road for the entire length, including double yellow centerline and white edge; and Old 26 from the State Highway 26 bridge to Koshkonong Lake Road, including white edge only. The services come at an estimated total value of $8,500.
• Assist at the town’s request in the planning and design of a four-way stop at the intersection of Hackbarth Road and Endl Boulevard, at an estimated total value of $3,500. The service does not include intersection improvements if needed, the document states.
• Provide one red solid crosswalk, or a crosswalk that would be similar to the city’s downtown area, on Hackbarth Road, at the intersection of Endl Boulevard and Hackbarth, at an estimated value of $3,500.
• Assist the town in the development of a comprehensive road plan for all of the town’s roads. The service comes with an estimated value of $3,000.
LeMire noted during a council meeting held in June that the city is engaged in a “Neighborhood Planning process.” Upon its completion, she wrote in a memo to council, the city will prepare a request for proposals from interested land developers, with plans calling for the land to be developed in phases and in accordance with the city’s Comprehensive Plan.
Development of the land will benefit the city through increased housing stock and its associated tax base, she said.
A related story about the Banker Road project is here: https://fortatkinsononline.com/plans-for-75-acre-bankers-road-project-move-forward/.
The above graphic, as provided within the city council packet on Tuesday, shows the area proposed for annexation into the city.
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