Following a Public Hearing on Monday, July 26, the Plan Commission approved Resolution #21-08, including a Zoning Map Amendment, which changes the land designation on Land Use Map 9.9 to Park, Recreation, and Other Open Space Lands. SR Mills, agent for Mills Holdings LLC, requested the change to create a Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WI DNR) Wetland Mitigation Bank known as Barnes Prairie. The area consists of approximately 398 acres of land, generally located between 91st and 104th Streets, west of Sheridan Road.
Mills Holdings began initial studies in 2015 to analyze the WI DNR Wetland Mitigation Bank feasibility. Detailed studies of the soil, vegetation, and hydrology determined the area exhibits unique characteristics that support the restoration of historical wetlands. Wetland mitigation banks restore, enhance, or create wetlands to offset development impacts to existing wetlands. In addition, wetland banks are allowed on land that historically supported wetlands or currently holds degraded wetlands. The area planned for Barnes Prairie Wetland Mitigation Bank exhibits both features.
Enhancement and restoration plans will dismantle the agricultural drain tiles throughout the property. Design engineers will ensure the drain tile disablement does not affect the water levels on offsite or upstream properties. In addition, there will be a gravel maintenance path added over an existing sanitary sewer line within Barnes Prairie Wetland Mitigation Bank. The access path will be 14-feet wide to accommodate a 60,000-pound sewer vac-truck. Finally, the project will promote native vegetation growth by seeding and eliminating or reducing non-native vegetation, trees, and brush through herbicides and prescribed burns. Although the land in Barnes Prairie Wetland Mitigation Bank is privately owned, the conservative nature of the property will continue if transferred to another owner.
