By Beth Sluys
Northside News
When the Raemisch Farm was first announced as having been purchased in May 2020, some of the feedback at a virtual public meeting was that the land should remain as an urban farm for locally grown food, avoiding urban sprawl. A request was also made that if single-family housing were to go on this property, the lots be of a size that would make the price points more affordable. Other ideas were to keep as much green space as possible, include community gardens, and protect the oak trees along the Lake View Elementary School property.
Not long after the initial meeting, it was announced that Green Street of St. Louis, Missouri, was interested in the development and eventually held the contract for sale for the parcel. Community members who were part of the Raemisch Farm Work Group met with Joel Oliver, managing director of real estate development for Green Street, to walk along the property and to discuss their concerns and considerations for the land.
Since that time, Green Street’s principal partner, Kevin Morrell, has declared bankruptcy, and the company is in numerous lawsuits related to nonpayment to lenders and unpaid taxes. Several projects, including the Raemisch Farm Development, have been transferred to Oliver’s new company, Halo Real Estate Ventures.
The initial process to get the preliminary plat approved by the Plan Commission and adopted by the Common Council created several rounds of revisions that included saving the oak trees bordering the school’s outdoor classroom, adding a small portion of land that will be deeded to the Madison Parks (3.5 acres), 10 acres of delineated wetland and related buffer areas, 76 lots for single-family houses, 4 lots for multi-family housing, 2 lots for townhomes, and commercial space along the eastern boundary of the land closest to the airport. The main east/west road will be Sunfield Street to run across the center of the development from North Sherman Avenue to Packers Avenue.
The Council eventually adopted the preliminary plat Sept. 6, 2022, which set a 3-year timeline for a final plat to be adopted. In spring, 2024, the issue of a 1949 deed restriction related to building heights was made public. A lawsuit was eventually settled, allowing Oliver to move forward.
Community members have consistently expressed concern for noise levels from the F-35 jets, which arrived in April 2023, especially given this property’s elevation and location near the airport. The adopted preliminary plat states that “Any residential built within the projected 65 decibel area will utilize HUD guidance on sound attenuation construction methods.” However, a large portion of the property lies just outside the 65-decibel zone and may be just as loud for folks living there.
According to Collin Punt, city planner, the next step is for Halo Real Estate Ventures to submit a final plat for approval that is “consistent” with the adopted preliminary plat.
