By Kevin Boneske
Staff Writer

HOWARD – The village board gave final approval to a Plan Commission recommendation Monday, Oct. 26, to rezone four parcels with approximately 74 acres as a Planned Development District (PDD) to allow for the development of 170 single-family residential lots along Shawano Avenue.

The site is the planned route of a new village sanitary sewer line under construction to serve the County VV/State Highway 29 interchange project.

This drawing shows the first phase of the Hazel Estates residential development planned along Shawano Avenue in Howard. Submitted Illustration

Community Development Director Dave Wiese said the PDD was requested because some of the residential lots will have 75 feet of frontage, unlike typical residential lots in Howard with 90 feet of frontage.

Wade Micoley, who previously entered into a development agreement with the village for what will be known as Hazel Estates, said the 75-foot lots allow for being able to keep the price down somewhat and offer them to buyers who want those lots for construction of smaller houses, such as for retirees.

Micoley said the 75-foot lots make up about 21 percent of the project.

The board also approved a preliminary plat of Hazel Estates, which includes the 170 residential lots to be developed in phases.

One condition is a trail between the planned storm pond and existing creek along the east side of the pond bank top should be tied into the Mills Center Park Trail system.

Wiese said the first phase will include 65 lots and be developed from Shawano Avenue to the west.

Blighted property

In other action, the board approved a motion to request state approval to use Howard’s revolving loan fund money to demolish the Green Bay Corp building, frequently referred to as the pickle factory, and use the remaining funds to buy blighted property.

Village Administrator Paul Evert said the State of Wisconsin has decided to close all local revolving loan funds started by Community Development Block Grants.

He said the village needs to return the money to the state by the end of this year, but is allowed to apply to use the money for projects eligible under federal community development block grant standards to benefit low to moderate income individuals or to eliminate blight.

Evert said the fund has a cash balance of almost $700,000 and one outstanding loan of just under $200,000.

He said several blighted properties have been identified, which should qualify for the village purchasing them with this money.

Evert said an appraisal process would need to be followed with the purchases being voluntary.

According to program guidelines, Evert said the land must sit for at least five years once a building is removed.

“This is like federal programming at its least logical…,” he said.