Divided board OKs rezoning of farm land for residential use

Despite the objections of a dozen or more residents, the Fredonia Town Board last week approved rezoning and dividing about 60 acres of land near River Park Road and Highway Y.

Michael Krueger proposed dividing the property at W4318 River Park Rd. into five parcels, about 30 acres of which he said he intends to continue farming, and sought to rezone the other parcels from A-1 agricultural land to A-2 and A-3, which would allow homes to be built on them.

There is an existing home on one of the lots.

Approval of Krueger’s proposal was recommended by the town Plan Commission.

During a public hearing last week, several residents spoke against the project, saying it threatened the town’s rural character and was inconsistent with the town’s master plan.

Board President Lance Leider, however, said the land being earmarked for residences was wooded or wetland “waste” that was untillable and of little value.

Building houses on those areas of the property would not damage the town’s rural character and would help build the town’s tax base, Leider said, noting that the town issued only two new home permits in 2020.

Supr. Jim Stemper said he was not “enthused” with the layout of the land division and said he preferred smaller, clustered lots that would leave more open land.

Supr. John Depies agreed and also said he was concerned one of the new property owners would come back to the Town Board hoping to further subdivide a property.

Leider made motions to approve the rezoning and land division on the condition that no further land divisions be permitted without Town Board approval.

The motion passed 3-2, with Leider, Mark Schubert and Chris Janik voting in favor and Stemper and Depies opposed.