Plan Commission recommends early earthwork for Marston development phase 1

The Village of Cross Plains Plan Commission on March 2 recommended approval for the Marston development team to begin limited earth‑disturbing activities on phase 1 starting March 23, 2026, ahead of the May 1 date in the village ordinance. Staff and the developers said the early work would be confined to a reduced footprint and include added erosion‑control measures.

Staff told the commission the request was limited to phase 1 and that the supplemental submittal included a tentative project schedule and an initial sediment control practices plan. A staff member explained that the variances and waivers referenced in the packet require a three‑quarters affirmative vote of the entire plan commission to recommend approval; a further three‑quarters affirmative vote by the village board is required for final approval of waivers noted in the packet.

Developers, introduced at the meeting as Adam Watkins of Wiser Engineering (engineer) and Wade Houston of RG Houston (contractor), described initial work that would include topsoil stripping, mass grading in a confined area, and installation of sanitary sewer through planned roadways. The developer described sediment control measures and said the team planned “a number of dry basin areas” and silt fence at low points, and that bioretention ponds would slow runoff and settle sediments before discharge. “We’re adding these sediment control practices to slow that water down and add some protection there,” the developer said.

A staff engineer reported having reviewed the supplemental submittal and stated it provided erosion controls above what the village and county ordinance would typically require. “This is reasonably typical for what the village has requested and approved on previous projects that either want to start earlier or finish late,” the staff engineer said.

Commissioners asked about timing and weather risks, including frost and late‑season work. The developer said restoration work is scheduled for Sept. 1–21 and that the project schedule would run through Oct. 12; any additional work after restoration would be less than an acre of disturbance and confined to retention basins. Staff emphasized the request was limited to phase 1 and that the submittal included extra erosion protection measures. The commission moved, seconded and voted to recommend approval of the early start request; the transcript records the motion carried but does not provide a roll‑call tally.

Staff noted that the request as presented will go to the village board for any required waivers or final approvals as called for in the ordinance.