Subdivision Proposals Seek To Bring 187 Homes To Franklin

FRANKLIN, WI — The Franklin Plan Commission is scheduled for Thursday to hear about two subdivision development proposals that would create 187 total new homesites in Franklin.

The Plan Commission meeting scheduled for Thursday comes after the Franklin Common Council initially heard about the proposals at a meeting in August. Developers are seeking to re-zone the land to accommodate the subdivisions.

Cape Crossing

The first concept, called Cape Crossing, was proposed by Neumann Developments Inc. It would create 142 lots on 80 acres of land in between 116th Street and North Cape Road and north of Ryan Road, documents submitted to the city show. The concept originally sought to build 183 homesites in the area.

The site is currently zoned for suburban single-family residences and a small section of it is zoned for conservation. The developer is seeking to have the area re-zoned as a planned development district. The Cape Crossing subdivision would be divided into two sections of lots with separate sizes and pricepoints called "The Villas" and "The Estates."

Homes in the subdivision could range from $400,000 up to $700,000, Neumann Developments President Steve DeCleene told the Milwaukee Business Journal. Construction could break ground as soon as spring and homes could start popping up in the late fall of 2022, DeCleene told the publication.

The original development proposal met some concerns with emergency vehicle access, but an adjustment to a proposed boulevard and the proposal of a 12-foot-wide recreational trail that can be used by emergency vehicles in case of road blockage mitigated officials' concerns, city documents show.

In city documents, planning staff wrote it would recommend approval of the Cape Crossing development if certain conditions were met.

Bear Development

The Franklin Plan Commission is also scheduled to discuss a subdivision proposed near West Meadowview Drive and South 112th Street. Discussions started in August where the development initially met concern from city officials for its proximity to land slated for recreational purposes.

The developer initially proposed 115 new homesites, but the most recent proposal has been reduced to 45 lots. City documents say the development would not be consistent with the city's comprehensive plan because a section of the land that would be built on is designated for recreation in the future.

This story will be updated.