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By Emmitt B. Feldner
Sheboygan Press Staff
Glenbeulah - The heavy machines moving dirt east of the Village Park are the opening moves in what could eventually remake this sleepy little village nestled in the northern Kettle Moraine.
Work has begun on the first phase of the Kettle Moraine Highlands subdivision, a proposed 83-lot residential development that could come close to doubling the size of this village.
If the subdivision is completely filled, it could add another 250 people or even more to the village's population, which was 378 in the 2000 census.
Village officials will welcome that kind of growth, as Glenbeulah's population has steadily declined over the past three decades from a peak of 496 in the 1970 census - a drop of almost 25 percent.
"We are real excited about it,"
Village President John Steffes said of the development. "It's going to be a good change for us."
Glenbeulah Village
President John Steffes
For village officials, it is especially heartening to see development finally begin. The parcel was the site of a 22-acre mixed residential development proposed by Waukesha developer Bob Herriot in 1996. Herriot went bankrupt after only one condominium was built
and the land has sat idle since. |
A PAINTED SKY is the backdrop for the communications tower and water tower at the Sheboygan
County Comprehensive complex along County Highway V Sunday. |
Local developers Tod Hellmann and Oyvind Solvang purchased the original 22 acres and another eight acres earlier this year. They announced plans for the Kettle Moraine Highlands subdivision, which were
quickly approved by the village.
Local officials have been extremely supportive so far, Hellmann noted, with the village offering him space in the Village Hall for a sales office until the model home is completed. That support includes not just Glenbeulah but also the neighboring Village of Elkhart
Lake. The two villages comprise a large part of the Elkhart Lake-Glenbeulah School district, which has experienced declining enrollment over the past decade.
The substantial growth the subdivision could represent for the village doesn't concern Steffes.
"I think we're very prepared, because we have the infrastructure as far as sewer and water," the village president commented. "As far as all public services,
I think we have more than adequate support."
Steffes also feels the subdivision will be a nice addition to the village, praising the proposed layout and affordability of the lots.
"We're laying this out in a very tasteful way to complement the rest of the village and maintain the small village feel,"
Hellmann explained. "We think this can be a win-win for everybody." |
According to co-developer Tod Hellmann, the Kettle Moraine Highlands subdivision will offer quarter-to-half -acre single-family lots at what he termed affordable prices. With narrower street, home-size restrictions, porches set closer to the street, and other features,
he expects if to appeal to a wide market. "We have a unique location here," Hellmann said. "Glenbeulah is convenient to job market areas in Plymouth, Sheboygan and Fond du Lac, but it's a nice quiet little village surrounded by some of the best amenities in Sheboygan
County."
Hellmann expects a model home in the 24-lot first phase to be completed by next spring. Though lots have not been advertised yet, he has already had four inquiries.
He was confident the development will not be significantly slowed by a softening economy. He said the lot prices are lower than what's available in other nearby communities.
"I really feel we'll be able to target home and lot packages in the 130's and going
up, so we'll have the a flexibility there."
The plan is for Kettle Moraine Highlands to be built in three phases. If about 15 lots in the first phase are sold by late next summer, Hellmann said, developers will probably go ahead with the second phase. |
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