Approval of residential plans ends saga of troublesome site

The long, troubled history of a Fredonia property appears to be coming to a close as the village Architectural Review Board approved plans to build a residence at 235 Manor Dr.

A former home there was demolished in 2017 after the village deemed it uninhabitable and beyond repair.

Two sisters who lived on the property had been unable to keep up the home after they inherited it from their mother, who died in 2012.

At the time of demolition, the house was riddled with black mold and had a large hole in its roof covered with a tarp. All furniture had remained in the house.

After the building was demolished, the foundation was filled and utilities removed.

Ozaukee County foreclosed on the property last year and sold it at auction in November for $33,700, well below the appraised value of $45,000 and an assessed value of $48,000.

The purchase price went to pay overdue property taxes that originally totaled $6,703 but had grown to $28,327 since 2016 because of interest, penalties and fees.

The property was purchased by sealed bid by Phil Steinke. His was the only bid.

On Jan. 6, Steinke presented plans to build a 1,352-square-foot, ranch-style house with three bedrooms, two baths and an attached garage.

Architectural Review Board Chairman John Long said the house would likely sell for more than $200,000.

At the same meeting, the board approved plans for a house to be built on North Milwaukee Street by Hillcrest Builders, one of the first by the developer as part of a new subdivision on the village’s north side.

While the village is still negotiating with Hillcrest over the bulk of the project, the house approved last week is one on several lots that were platted under a previous developer.

Long said the new house would likely be priced at around $330,000.