Sileno Quarry Proposal

The proposal to partially fill in the Sileno quarry near Burleigh and Lilly has generated great controversy.   This project is being refined constantly so don't be surprized if the details in the note change a bit in coming weeks.

Don't miss the BRAD rally on Monday, 8/26 at 7pm at Brookfield East High school.

http://www.nobrookfielddump.com/index.html 

http://www.nobrookfielddump.com/uploads/2/1/6/2/21629722/8-26-13_rally.pdf 

- Scott A. Berg, Alderman 5th District

The following is taken from a note of August 8 written by Mayor Ponto to a resident. With the mayor's permission, I'm publishing it for all to see.

"Thank you for your e-mail concerning the Sileno Property.  

In 2011, the State Budget created Statutory Section 85.193 (copy attached).  This was a non-fiscal policy matter inserted in the state budget by the Joint Finance Committee at the urging of special interests (the earth moving industry).  Our understanding is that it was not requested by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation but it arguably helps reduce the time and cost necessary for WDOT projects because of the limitations it places on local governments.  Under Section 85.193, contractors working on WDOT projects do not need to secure local zoning approvals for depositing clean fill in a site if the owner is willing to accept it.  The local government has some input under non-zoning laws - but its control is substantially limited.

The City has been approached by Super Excavators, Inc. of Menomonee Falls and the Siepmann Group who are interested in depositing clean fill from WDOT projects in the 85 acre Sileno Property.  Their proposal includes grading of the site in a manner that would provide for the development of an approximately 70 acre special use/neighborhood park with a series of multi-use trails, overlooks and other related improvements and would also include a 12 acre lake up to 28 feet deep (concept drawing attached).  When the fill, grading and restoration operation is complete, the 70 acres designated for park and open space purposes would be dedicated to the City consistent with the objectives of the City’s Park and Open Space Plan.  The approximately 15 acre northern portion of the property on Burleigh Road would be used for the development of between 100 and 120 units of high end multi-family housing,  Current zoning of the property allows for multiple family residential use.

Super Excavators and the Siepmann Group have said they do not want to proceed under Section 85.193 but want to work cooperatively and collaboratively with the City on an Operational Agreement which would regulate the fill operation as to the amount of clean fill to be deposited, truck routes, dust and noise control, times of operation, etc. and to insure that 70 acres of the land would be left in a suitable condition for a city park  The Sileno Property was operated as a sand and gravel pit for 57 years from 1921 to 1978 during which time an estimated 6.7 million cubic yards of sand and gravel were removed.  When operations ceased, there was no reclamation of the property.  The property has been left idle for the last 35 years.  While vegetation has grown during these years, portions of the property remain in an unstable and unsafe condition.

What Super Excavators and the Siepmann Group have proposed is to deposit 1.8 million cubic yards of clean fill in the Sileno Property over a period of up to 7 years.  In the interest of protecting residents’ interests and in improving the property for a passive park and a high end multi-family development, the City has been talking with Super Excavators and the Siepmann Group about the possible terms and conditions of such a project.  We are trying to come up with a way of substantially reducing the amount of fill and substantially reducing the time the fill operation would take.  

The City intends to evaluate any final proposal in an open process, giving all concerned an opportunity to be heard.  If this matter proceeds and a final proposal is developed, there will be a public hearing in the Common Council Chambers, followed by an open meeting of Plan Commission deliberations, followed by an open meeting of Common Council deliberations.

We welcome all concerned taking the time to inform themselves about this matter and expressing their opinions.  

Thank you again for writing to us about this matter.

Steve Ponto"

Remember, this was written on August 8 and details may change at any time.