Village poised to adopt zoning rules for duplex condos

The Fredonia Village Board last week referred to the Plan Commission a proposed ordinance that would establish zoning rules for duplex condominiums, which the village currently lacks.

While the new law would apply village wide, its approval is necessary to allow a proposed development north of the Northern Ozaukee School District campus.

The proposed ordinance was drafted by the village’s Ad Hoc Ordinance Committee after studying similar ordinances in Belgium, Grafton, Hartford, Jackson, Plymouth, Port Washington, Random Lake, Saukville, Thiensville, Sheboygan Falls and West Bend. 

Under the ordinance, two-unit condominium buildings would be limited to a maximum height of 35 feet, minimum width of  85 feet, 12,000-square-foot lots, 25-foot setbacks at the front and rear and 12-foot setbacks on the sides, and 1,200 square feet inside on the first floor.

In addition, basements would be required and each unit would have to have a garage of at least 400 square feet.    

Developer Oyvind Solvang of Hillcrest Real Estate has proposed building about 100 homes on the village’s north side.

The development would be divided roughly in half, with traditional one-third-acre, single-family home lots at the north end of North Milwaukee Street and a less conventional development at the north end of Deer Meadow Drive that would include smaller single-family homes on narrower lots and duplex condominiums.

Solvang has not yet presented detailed plans on the project to the village.

In other action, the Village Board voted to waive late fees on water and sewer bills in response to the Covid-19 epidemic, which has put many people out of work.

The suspension of late fees was included as part of a public health emergency declared by Village President Don Dohrwardt. 

The state of emergency remains in effect until May 1, “unless earlier rescinded by proclamation or resolution.”