November 2019
Wind Point School Redevelopment Update
On October 3, Newport Development presented conceptual plans for the proposed redevelopment of the 14-acre Wind Point School property. Features of the conceptual plans include: the construction of 48 high-end condominium units in 24 buildings with 4 different architectural styles; unit size ranging from 1691 sq. ft. to 2132 sq. ft., and unit price ranging from $350,000 to $400,000.
 
The conceptual plan proposes one private road which would be connected to Jonsue Lane and would circle the development. The existing walking path on the east side of the property would be improved and other options to improve the walk-ability of the development would be considered.

Completed hydrology analysis and soil boring samples indicate a high-water table on the property. To deal with this, Newport Development is proposing to construct a large storm-water retention pond in the middle of the development and a smaller pond in the southeast corner of the property, as shown on the site plan. Additionally, the condo units would not be able to have basements.
 
Staff from Newport Development listened to comments of Wind Point residents who were in attendance. Concerns included: privacy between the new development and existing properties, the general design and number of the buildings, the placement of the buildings in the development, increased traffic, and construction noise. Newport Development representatives stated that they would consider the public comments and possible changes to the project’s design to respond to the comments.
 
The next step in the process will be submission of a formal application to the Village for building and zoning approvals. A formal application may be submitted by the end of this year. The development application would then be subject to multiple reviews by the Plan Commission, Architectural Review Board and Board of Trustees. All of these meetings will be open to the public and notices of the meetings will be posted on the Village's Website, Facebook page, and Twitter. We will also be providing updates on the development, including any meetings, via this newsletter. 
Final Yard Waste & Branch Collection
Yard Waste Collection
Every Monday from now until November 25, you may set yard waste out at the road for John's Disposal to pick up. Yard waste must be placed in brown yard waste bags (available at any local hardware store). Each bag must include a yard sticker (as shown on the image to the right). Stickers can be purchased at the Village Office for $1.00 each during normal business hours. The stickers do not expire and can be used in 2020.
 
Yard waste includes: leaves, grass clippings, yard and garden debris, and brush including clean woody vegetative material no greater than 4 inches in diameter. It does not include stumps, roots, or shrubs with intact root balls.
 
Branch Collection
The final collection date of the year is Tuesday, November 12. Branches do not need to be cut into shorter pieces, but they should be no greater than 4 inches in diameter. Please pile branches in reasonably uniform piles with the cut end facing the road.
 
Branches and yard waste can be set in the right-of-way no earlier than three days before the collection date (November 9). If you have any questions please contact the Village Office at info@windpoint.org or 262-639-3524.
Wreath Lighting Ceremony on December 1
The annual Wind Point Holiday Party and Wreath Lighting Ceremony will be held the Sunday after Thanksgiving (December 1) at 5:30 p.m. at the Wind Point Lighthouse.
 
Bring the kids and help kick off the holiday season with food, refreshments, and singing carols as the lighthouse wreath is lit. Enjoy a visit from Santa himself! 

4403 Main Street Property Update
On Thursday, October 10 the Village Board approved the rezoning of the property located at 4403 Main Street. The Village-owned property was originally zoned as Estate District (R-1) and is now zoned as Multi-Family Residence District (R-4). The new zoning is the same zoning as the properties that surround it to the north and east.
 
The Village will now begin the formal request-for-proposal process to select a qualified developer whose proposed plan meets the requirements of the Village Code. Any development proposal will be subject to the Village's normal architectural review and permitting process. Notices of meetings regarding construction proposals will be on the Village's website , Facebook page and Twitter . Please contact Village Administrator Casey Griffiths at 262-639-3524 or c.griffiths@windpoint.org if you have any questions.
Outdoor Storage of Boats, Trailers and RVs
Sec.36-75 of the Wind Point Municipal Code prohibits the outdoor storage of boats, campers, trailers or recreational vehicles from November through March. Snowmobiles can be stored between December 5 and March 15 if they are kept behind the house and between the side building lines.
 
If you need to have a boat, trailer or recreational vehicle in your driveway for a temporary period, temporary storage permission may be requested from Wind Point Police for a period of up to five days (limited to four times per year, per property). Please contact Wind Point Police (non-emergency) at 639-3022 to request temporary storage permission (please leave a voice message if an officer is not in the office at the time of your call). Thank you for your cooperation!
Proposed 2020 Village Budget
The 2020 Village Budget will be considered for adoption at the Village Board meeting on Thursday, November 14, after a public hearing. The budget is the result of a three-month long process that involved several public meetings with the Village Board and standing committees. The resulting budget reflects the Village's ongoing mission to provide high-quality municipal services in a cost-effective and efficient manner. Compared to 2019, the 2020 budget has an overall expenditure increase of 28.8%, primarily due to large capital projects including resurfacing of Lake Meadow Drive, the pathway project at the Lighthouse Grounds and equipment purchases. The Village funds all its capital projects through cash reserves and does not issue any debt. Following are the highlights from the proposed 2020 budget: 

Revenues:
  • 0.2% increase ($2,766) to the Village portion of the property tax levy, which is the allowable amount under state law based on net new construction and property improvements.
  • 15% increase ($4,830) in General Transportation Aid from the State.
  • 0% change to State Shared Revenue and State Recycling Grant.
  • 42.9% increase ($1,500) to Wind Point Lighthouse Revenues due to tours and fundraising.
  • 10% increase ($4,678) to stormwater utility revenue.
  • 0% increase to water utility fees.
 
Expenditures:
  • 0% change to fees for contracted fire/EMS, assessments, household hazardous waste collection and public health.
  • $1,281 increase for contracted Animal Control service fees.
  • 6.5% increase ($2,011) for contracted recycling collection services. There will be no increase to garage or bulk item collection.
  • 4% increase ($2,380) to employee health insurance.
  • 7% increase ($1,362) to the Village’s contribution to the state retirement system.
  • 3.0% increase budgeted for staff wages; actual individual wage rates to be set by resolution of the Village Board.
  • $10,000 for upgrades to the Village Hall restrooms and Lighthouse Garage.
  • $5,151 for a new roof for the Public Works Salt Shed.
  • $450,000 for the resurfacing of Lake Meadow Drive to be funded from reserves. 
  • $121,900 in improvements to the Wind Point Lighthouse grounds, including entrance sign replacement, pathway improvements, landscaping and historical signage. This will be funded in part by reserves and a grant award.
  • $9,800 for new digital police hand held and car radios.
  • $58,537 for a new skid steer loader and $24,786 for a new compact excavator to replace the existing Public Works backhoe.
  • $25,000 for the third and final phase of the water utility dead-end valve replacement program.
  • $6,000 for new Beacon water meter reading software.
  • $16,000 for drainage improvement work on Lake Meadow Drive at Pinewood Court and Sprucewood Court.
 
The public hearing for the budget will be held at the beginning of the meeting on November 14 and the budget will be considered for adoption that evening. To view the proposed budget, click here. Please note the proposed budget does not include the narrative section which will be added when the budget document in finalized.
Village Board Updates
The Village Board of Trustees held a regular meeting on October 10, 2019. The following actions took place at the meeting:

  • Held public hearings and heard comments from Village residents regarding an amendment to the Village's Comprehensive Plan and a rezoning of the property located at 4403 Main Street.
  • Approved Ordinance 19-03 to amend the Village's Comprehensive Plan changing the designation of 4403 Main Street from Suburban Residential/Isolated Natural Resource Area to High Density Residential.
  • Approved Ordinance 19-04 to amend the zoning of 4403 Main Street from Estate District R-1 to Multiple Family Residential District: R-4.
  • Approved a quote to repair door damage on the police squad car.
  • Reviewed the 2020 draft Village budget.

The next regular meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 14 at 5:30 p.m. at the Village Hall (Lighthouse).
Village of Wind Point, Wisconsin
215 E. Four Mile Rd.
Racine, WI 53402
262.639.3524