Cemetery, Funeral Home Could be Buried Under Questions

The owner of land along Tess Corners Drive along with developers outlined what a cemetery and family center would look like at the 17 acre site.

However, it was clear that the city planners have a laundry list of questions and issues that will need to be cleared up before any serious action would be taken.

Mark Kosobucki, who represented Kosobucki Bros., LLC, a developer that has also designed the Golden Country Estates and Foxboro subdivisions in the city, outlined what a potential family center for Parkside Memorial would look like, as well as the layout of the cemetery and mausoleums, to the plan commission Tuesday evening. He explained that the cemetery burial sites would be flush with the ground and the overall effect of the layout was to present a park like setting.

"We want to keep this area from becoming an eyesore, so we've taken care to create a memorial park-like area, complete with walking paths," Kosobucki said.

Patrick Murphy, whose family owned the property, said it was a fitting use for the land.

"My grandparents had operated the Parkside nursery for about 40 years on the land, often enlisting the help of local Muskego High School students, and I wanted to see the land retain the natural character. I think this plan is a wonderful way to honor their legacy," Murphy said.

Along with questions that city planner Jeff Muenkel offered to the commission, which included concerns over state statutes on size of the land allowed, proximity to other structures and DNR concerns on wetlands and flooding, commissioners presented their own concerns.

"Have you done any soil boring to determine the water table on that parcel?" asked commissioner Jerald Hulbert. "It's pretty high, and I'm afraid you're going to be burying people in water."

Hulbert also voiced concerns over the business structure failing and the city being left with the responsibility of managing the facilities.

Developers will also need to win over a neighborhood that most recently objected to a recreational trail along Tess Corners Drive.

"There are a lot of accommodations that will need to be made if this is to happen," said commissioner Chris Buckmaster. "We will need to waive state statutes to progress this onto council, and I don't know that we want to put it on council to have a public hearing when it was already an issue with the bike path."

Muenkel stressed repeatedly that the discussion and the plans presented were only conceptual, and that no formal approvals could be offered at this point. How many of the questions get answered won't be known until the commission's next meeting in July.