August 6, 2026 – Kewaskum, Wi – Nearly a dozen residents addressed the Village of Kewaskum Board on Monday night, regarding concerns they had about the proposed TID 6 Smokey’s Crossing development on the village’s north side near Conrad Street.
Jesse Geib, who has been a resident of Kewaskum for 22 years, led the charge. “I felt betrayed by our Village Board,” he said referencing a project that included 300 homes, a hotel, and a large indoor sports complex. “You guys have not kept us informed and it seems like you’re not looking out for our best interest.”
A parade of homeowners from Conrad Street then followed suit, expressing concern about an increase in traffic, building more homes when the ones built across from the high school continue to sit empty, a lack of transparency on the project and poor communication by the board.
“Talking to people in Kewaskum nobody wants this (the development) to happen. The only ones who want it are the people who are going to make money on it and the board,” said Darlene Walls of Kewaskum.
More neighbors spoke about how an increase in population would affect the schools, where traffic would be routed when big backups already occur during certain times of the day, and Allen Heberer was greatly concerned how a development could even occur when there are three bald eagle nests within 300-feet of the proposed project.
“I’ve been in contact with the DNR and the DNR says there have been no permits pulled to do anything around there,” he said. “According to the Federal Wildlife Protection Agency, you have to stay 330-feet away from a non-breeding nest and 660-feet away from a breeding nest. Breeding is from March – August and according to what we see on the development from the conceptual plans, it goes right through the tree. Has anybody even checked into it?”
Following public comments, interim administrator and Village clerk Tammy Butz said village staff and the developer continue to make progress on the project. She said the village engineer and the developer’s engineer are in the final stages of reviewing civil plans and stormwater management reports before the plans are brought to village staff and eventually the Village Board for final approval.
According to Butz, the developer has submitted the preliminary plat to the Wisconsin Department of Administration, completed an environmental review, and received conditional approval from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation for the proposed intersection on Highway 45 following a traffic impact analysis.
She said the development is expected to be built in phases, beginning with the apartment building and some homes, with construction traffic entering from Highway 45 rather than Conrad Street.
Butz also noted the village is working on amendments to its comprehensive plan and zoning, while the developer’s agreement will include a letter of credit to protect the village if the project is not completed. She added the Kewaskum School District has indicated it has sufficient capacity for additional students, and that water and sewer systems can accommodate the development.
In addition, she said 50% of the tax increment generated by TID 6 will help pay for improvements to the Knights Avenue lift station, reducing costs that would otherwise fall on current utility users.
Following the update, Trustee Wendy May Muckerheide said her primary concern remains the overall volume of traffic through the village rather than the proposed Highway 45 intersection.
“I know you prepared that because of this meeting and you knew what was coming, but the intersection isn’t the problem,” she said. “It’s the amount of traffic around the area. We don’t have a way to expand out with our roads.”
Muckerheide said traffic congestion has reached the point where she avoids driving through downtown during busy times.
“Now I won’t stop in town during certain hours of the day because I can’t get in and out,” she said, asking whether the traffic study considered overall traffic flow through Kewaskum or only the proposed intersection. Butz responded that she would review that question with the village engineer.
According to Butz, the property has not yet been sold.
On a side note:
-At the end of the public hearing, clerk Tammy Butz mentioned the Partisan Primary election would be August 11. Butz said the “last day to vote in-person absentee in Kewaskum is Thursday, August 6.”
A kind reminder – in some communities across Washington County, Wi the last day to vote in-person absentee is Friday, August 7, 2026.
Election Day is Tuesday, August 11, 2026. Polls open 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.
This is a working story and more information will be posted when details are available.
