New Generation RV could be on the move

Wheatland Town Board approves conditional use permit

By Jason Arndt
Staff Writer

Pending Kenosha County approval, New Generation RV could be on the move, after the Wheatland Town Board voted 3-0 in favor of the conditional use permit at a meeting on July 25.

Town approval came after the Plan Commission passed the conditional use permit by a 5-3 margin June 27.

The conditional use permit calls for the relocation of New Generation RV from a leased site on the east side of 392nd Avenue to a 19-acre plot of land across the street on Highway 50.

The Town Board approved the permit, contingent on adhering to a stormwater management maintenance agreement and reducing overnight parking spaces from 10 to five.

Initially, the plan for the proposed property allowed 10 overnight parking spaces for customers awaiting services and repairs on recreational vehicles, but agent Matt Merkling agreed to five overnight slots, limiting customers to 96 hours.

Town Clerk Sheila Siegler questioned Merkling’s proposed 10 spaces, concerned about whether it is construed as a campground.

However, Merkling affirmed it is not a campground, adding the company’s goal is to get customers back on the road.

Drainage concerns addressed
The plan, originally proposed last year, received approval on August 2015 to rezone the land to B-1 commercial business and C-1 lowland conservancy.

But, the Plan Commission tabled the conditional use permit, citing several environmental concerns, including drainage.

Central concerns were related to a proposed retention pond, with no trenches for excess drainage, and nearby wetlands.

However, problems were addressed since the August 2015 meeting, after the addition of five trenches near the retention pond, and two Department of Natural Resources surveys.

In an April 25 letter addressed to Merkling from the DNR, the state agency found the plans acceptable, pending specific conditions.

“We have received and reviewed the wetland delineation report prepared for the above mentioned site by Kapur and Associates, Inc,” the letter stated. “This letter will serve as confirmation that the wetland boundaries…are acceptable.”

The DNR noted that any additional filling or grading of the land requires their approval, adding the proposed delineation is valid for five years.

According to a Land Amendment Application, the proposed site outlines several key plans, including outdoor lighting and a low digital road sign.

Site plans also include two buildings, one to house company offices, a retail store and service bays for recreational vehicles in need of repairs.

The other, targeted for construction in the next five years, is for an indoor showroom.

The matter now advances for Kenosha County review.