A proposed hillside development just north of Black Earth Creek in Cross Plains is getting pushback regarding its potential environmental impacts, according to the Wisconsin State Journal.
Plans for Marchstone, a 480-acre project from Madison developers Jeff and Kyle Haen, would bring 470 homes and a golf course to an area that is now farmland and woods. The project is adjacent to the Festge Springs complex, located between the creek and Highway 14.
The springs feed fresh water to Black Earth Creek.
The Haens had approached the village with their development plans one year ago before making a formal presentation to the Cross Plains Plan Commission in January.
In late July, a preliminary plat for the first phase of the housing project on the property’s northern end received approval, and the final plat approval for the first phase is scheduled for late October.
The timeline may be delayed as the village and the Haens navigate a disagreement over how much each side should pay for water service needed for about two-thirds of the property, but not for the first phase.
The Haens said they may consider creating a private water utility owned by Marchstone and serving only their development.
They expect a 10-year build-out for the development as a whole, with homes starting at $500,000 for twin homes and $600,000 for single-family homes.
Trout Unlimited and the Black Earth Creek Watershed Association are each calling for an independent study to determine what kind of effect Marchstone could have on the water shed, as well as a 100% infiltration rate of rain and snow melt in the Marchstone property compared to the 96% proposed by the Haens.
