The meeting room at Eagle River City Hall was filled with area residents to speak out against the rezoning of Riverside Park from Parks and Recreation to Single Two-Family Residential zoning during the city council’s meeting Jan. 13.
Following approximately 1.5 hours of comments from the public and discussion among council members, Alderwoman Kim Schaffer made two motions; one to amend the zoning district classification, and another to approve the preliminary plat proposal that would divide the parcel into 10 sellable residential lots and two outlays that would remain owned by the county. Both motions were seconded by Alderman Dan Dumas and passed 2-1 in a roll-call vote by the council.
Alderman Vic Washelesky was the only “no” vote, with Alderman Jerry Burkett abstaining. Mayor Debbie Brown also did not vote.
This decision came on the heels of a Planning Commission public hearing held Jan. 8 where residents from Eagle River and surrounding towns also turned out to voice their opposition to the rezoning, but the commission went on to recommend the zoning change.
Many in opposition at both meetings cited the loss of public greenspace as a main factor against the rezoning and eventual possible sale of the property. Other concerns included the loss of the area’s “Up North appeal,” and a general lack of understanding of what this development would mean in terms of environmental and municipal resource impacts, as well as financial costs and/or gains for the city.
A number of people who spoke asked for the decision to be tabled until more information could be gathered.
Ann Carlson said an impact study was “the smart and right thing to do as leaders of this town.” She also presented the idea of starting a citizen advisory board on how to monetize the parcel while keeping it zoned as park land.
Bill Marshall, who had also spoken against the proposal at the Planning Commission meeting, asked for the decision to be tabled, saying there is “no reason to be rushing into this.”
Given the overwhelming opposition on display at both the commission and city council meetings, a few who spoke questioned why elected officials would move forward on such an unpopular endeavor.
Jim Meiers said with so many people not in favor, “it baffles me it could be considered at this point.”
Joe Panci, another who spoke at both meetings, said the idea to sell a “wonderful capital asset” reflected poor financial management, and asked if councilmen and -women had really done their due diligence to make that decision. “Every person is opposed — will you listen to your constituents?” he asked.
Brown at both meetings brought up her want of an impact study, which was met by a round of applause from those in attendance at the city council meeting. Brown twice shared her concerns on what the proposed development would mean on a number of aspects, including sewer and water lines on Division Street, stormwater issues, parking for events, and the environmental impacts. Neither the council nor the commission responded to queries about the possibility of providing a study.
According to a handout provided at the city council meeting, the Planning Commission’s review focused on whether the zoning change was consistent with the city’s zoning code, compatible with surrounding land uses, and appropriate from a land use planning perspective.
During council discussion, Washelesky said he didn’t agree that the zoning change fits into the city’s comprehensive plan, and noted that he had previously voted “no” on the city’s resolution to support Vilas County’s exploration of a possible sale of the property.
Shaffer, who is also on the Planning Commission, argued that the zoning change was dictated by adjacent zonings on nearby properties. She estimated the possibility that, once developed, these 10 lots could provide $90,000 per year in taxes to be split among the city, county, schools and other entities.
“We have another 950 feet of park in close proximity to this area we’re talking about,” Schaffer said, referring to the nearby Riverview Park.
Dumas agreed the current Riverside Park is underutilized, and also referenced the existing greenspace nearby at Riverview Park that offers community amenities such as playground equipment, a riverwalk, restrooms and river access.
“I don’t like to lose greenspace personally either. However, this is working to build an ongoing tax base for the city for our residents of the biggest little town in Vilas County,” Dumas said. “We have our own police department, we have our own utility and water. We have many services we have to pay for off our tax roll, and being able to increase the tax roll in the very small occasions we have to be able to do that is working toward the future as far as I’m concerned.”
Brown again highlighted budget issues, noting that more than 50% of the city’s property is tax-exempt, which makes it hard to pay for rising necessary services like police, ambulance, public works and beyond. She also noted that there are currently six public parks within Eagle River’s city limits; Gremban, the T-Docks, Minnesota Street, Silver Lake, Riverview, and Rotary Square.
“We have cut and cut and cut to where we are bare bones,” she said, referring to the budget.
Burkett echoed his previous statements that state-imposed levy limits are to blame for this measure being looked into as a way for the county and city to pay their bills.
He also urged every person in the room to run for local government so they could see how difficult the budgeting process is for elected officials as costs for services, staffing, insurance and many other things are on the rise.
Before voting occurred, Brown also reminded members that while many North Woods residents turned out to voice their opposition, they were only “beholden” to those 1,685 people who own property within city limits and are represented by the council.
Clerk Becky Bolte shared information that indicated 12 City of Eagle River property owners signed in at the meeting, with one of those attendees speaking in opposition. Ten of the attendees indicated they were opposed to the zoning change, while five additional city property owners sent in written comments opposing it. Many who spoke during the meeting or were in attendance reside in the towns of Lincoln and Washington.
Those who don’t own property within the city limits will still have a chance to air their opposition or support for the possible sale to the Vilas County Board before a final decision is made.
Burkett, who also serves as Vilas County Board chair, said the county will likely discuss the sale of Riverside Park at its meeting later this month, but no agenda has yet been posted. The board will meet Tuesday, Jan. 27, at 9 a.m. at the Vilas County Courthouse in Eagle River. These meetings are open to the public.
Vilas County property owners who would like to submit comments ahead of time can find a list of supervisors at vilascountywi.gov under the Departments tab by clicking “board members” on the dropdown menu or contact Chairman Burkett directly at 715-891-1501 or jerry@burkettrealty.com.
Aside from the Riverside Park discussion, the city council also approved the Lions club to build municipal bathrooms at Gremban Park behind city hall.
Members also:
— Re-appointed Mary Horant for a three-year term on the Planning Commission that expires April 2028;
— Approved an easement agreement between Holperin Property Management LLC and the City of Eagle River for a strip of property between 221 W. Wall St. and 229 W. Wall St. (Rotary Square);
— Okayed the fourth annual Recycling Extravaganza to take place Aug. 22 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Eagle River Elementary School;
— Okayed the Eagle River Farmers Market to run on Wednesdays, May 6 to Oct. 7, and Sundays, May 24 to Oct. 4, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m;
— Granted operator’s licenses to Rachel Beyersdorf, Brooke Grabowski and Madison Nyman;
— Approved a 2026 Capital Improvement Loan Payment for Debt Service Fund;
— Approved the corrected 2026 budget summary; and
— Okayed the hiring of a new patrol officer for the police department.
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