Brown Deer approves compensation plan for properties affected by Tatonia/Sherman road change

The Village of Brown Deer board voted May 18 to approve a compensation plan for properties affected by a county highway project that will eliminate a stretch of Tatonia Avenue and shift addresses to North Sherman Boulevard.

Staff described an impact area of roughly 12 single‑family homes, 38 townhomes and 10 businesses; to help with the costs of updating addresses and marketing materials staff proposed $100 per household and $500 per impacted business. "We think this proposal is a reasonable approach given the public comments received," said Nate, a staff member who presented the plan.

Staff told the board checks would be issued in December after the project is substantially complete and the U.S. Postal Service registers the address changes. Trustees asked about precedent; staff said municipalities rarely provide broad compensation but that the decision reflected resident concerns raised during public information meetings. The proposed funding source is a capital savings created by deferring a larger AC chiller replacement this year.

Trustee Thompson moved and Trustee Gre seconded the motion to approve the compensation plan; the vote carried unanimously. Staff said property owners would be able to accept or return the payment to the village as a donation if they wished.