Developer remains upbeat about proposed subdivision despite delays

A proposed subdivision of 100-some homes is still in the works, its developer said this week, even though several months have passed since the project was last discussed by the Fredonia Village Board.

Hillcrest Builders owner Oyvind Solvang said it hasn’t so much been the fault of Covid-19 that has slowed the project but a busy real estate market and ongoing negotiations with the Northern Ozaukee School District to achieve a land swap vital for the project to move forward.

“We’ll be back (at the Village Board) as soon as the land part of it is cleared up,” Solvang said. 

Hillcrest wants to build the houses north and west of the Northern Ozaukee School District campus, with roughly half the homes on one-third-acre, single-family home lots east and west of North Milwaukee Street,  and a less-conventional development with smaller homes on narrower lots being built east of Milwaukee Street at the end of Deer Meadow Drive.

Solvang has not presented detailed plans to the village for approval. He said he hopes to be back before trustees next month with plans on the more conventional portion of the subdivision.

Development of the eastern half of the project, however, is dependent on discussions with the school district.

Hillcrest has proposed giving the district access to a stormwater retention pond that would allow the district to develop its athletic fields.

In exchange, Hillcrest is asking the district to hand over about three acres of land that would allow the extension of Deer Meadow Road and the development of eight additional lots.

Solvang said the heated real-estate market has slowed progress on the Fredonia project, but that the activity bodes well for the development’s prospects.

“Everything is so busy right now. We’re seeing an influx of people from Milwaukee who want to build in Sheboygan and Ozaukee counties,” he said.

“Fredonia is a perfect spot because of its lower prices and reasonable taxes. It’s  small-town living but near to everything.”

Solvang credited the Covid-19 shutdown for the busy real-estate market. 

“Covid actually made us more busy. People are spending a lot of time at home, and thinking, ‘I think I need a different house,’” he said.

“We continue to be very excited about Fredonia. And the village is very proactive about it. It’s just a matter of putting all the pieces together.”