ELLSWORTH — A proposed 59-unit residential subdivision off Dale and Maple streets had its first phase plat approved by the Ellsworth Village Board during the June 2 meeting.

The proposal was part of a packed agenda back in February, originally being presented as a 33 single family home and 17 twin home site by Pinnacle Land Development. The present proposal is for 31 single-family homes and 14 twin homes.

Members of the public spoke of concerns of the lone phase one access point coming at Hill Street back in February, which residents felt would funnel too much traffic to Crest Lane.

Residents asked for another access point, this one stemming from Maple Street to be constructed during phase one. Others felt that plan was also not perfect as Maple faces traffic complaints the way it is.

At the February meeting, the board ultimately declined the concept and asked the developers to make alterations if they intended to return to the board.

“The new South Maple Street access would be located approximately 300 feet south of the existing intersection of West Warner Street & South Maple Street and approximately 220 feet north of the existing intersection of West Elm Street & South Maple Street,” the Pinnacle traffic review states.

Due to the configuration of the roadway, all traffic will wind up entering Maple Street regardless of which exit is taken from the development.

Phase one is the smallest of the three proposed phases, constructing 12 lots along Dale Street and two storm water/park land areas.

Tony Hines, the lone voter against the plat, asked why Pinnacle did not have a representative present at the Street and Sidewalk Committee meeting May 28 where the proposal was discussed.

“I still want to know why Pinnacle wasn’t here last week,” Hines said. “If it involves them, they better be here.”

Village Administrator/Clerk-Treasurer Brad Roy said they were notified of the meeting by the village.

“I think they said what they’re going to say no matter what anyways,” Trustee Jarod Traynor said. “Whether we like it or not or the public likes what they’ve said or not, they’ve said what they’ve said.”

The approval was simply a concept approval, still having to go through multiple plat approvals, committee meetings and a developer’s agreement.

East End

The board took on two East End agenda items, the first being a redevelopment plan. A $10,000 bid from MSA was approved to assist the village in developing a plan to address “blighted” properties in the area. The timeline is a bit lengthy, as the plans will have to go through multiple Community Development Authority meetings, a Plan Commission meeting and a Village Board meeting.

Board members also approved an engineering contract with Cedar Corporation for East End streets and utility reconstruction. Cedar Corporation already completed the initial engineering at the site, and they applied for and received a grant to help fund the project.

The scope of the project is Morse Street from US 10 to Wall Street, Wall Street from US 10 to Morse Street and Broadway Street from US 10 to Wall Street.

Other business

• Resident Chad Verville spoke to the board during public comment about the village noise ordinance and the old junior high site construction. Verville said the ordinance does not currently properly protect the residents, and construction is going on outside of the specified 7 a.m.-5 p.m. hours. Verville said he works from home and sometimes experiences his house shaking from the project.
• A change order for the Grant and Piety Street project was sent back to the board because of an unexpected price increase from $27,000 to $39,000. The cost was for a county project which the county board would reimburse the village for, so the board approved the payment on the condition that the county approves of the increase in spending.
• After a pair of Ehlers, Inc. presentations, the board approved the sale of $5.65 million in general obligation promissory notes and an agreement for investment services through Ehlers
• The board reconvened from closed session to approve a Loberg Law Office land purchase in TID 13. The business has been moving toward the construction of a new office in Crossing Meadows.
• Approved a change to Catalis for the village website and notification system. Village President Becky Beissel said this change brings a step down in cost and a step up in offerings.
• Public Works Director Brad Vick presented the Compliance Maintenance Report where Vick said the village received a few lower marks than usual due to a change that measured chemicals in treated wastewater by the day rather than over a monthly average.
• Approved a list of annual alcohol license applications.