Real Estate

Tree Preservation Promised in New Subdivision Near Elm Dale School

Even with the approval of 12 single-family homes in a new subdivision called Tuckaway Woods near 37th Street and Edgerton Avenue, many key trees will be saved.

Development of the a large residential area on the City of Greenfield’s east side known as Tuckaway began in the 1960s.

Now, the last a 6.3-acre plot of land is slated to be turned into a subdivision, too.

On Tuesday, Greenfield Common Council unanimously gave developer Sean Phelan the go-ahead to build 12, single-family homes in a subdivision called Tuckaway Woods at 37th Street and Edgerton, slightly northeast of Elm Dale Elementary School.

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Phelan said the homes would be about 2,000 square feet and lots size would range from 12,100 to 26,700 square feet, all within walking distance of Elm Dale.

“The market for single-family (homes) is doing a lot better, and there’s not a lot out there and the inventory is shrinking daily,” Phelan said.

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Some nearby residents were concerned the development would displace wildlife that includes deer, wild turkeys, coyotes and even a large turtle.

“It’s a jewel of a forest,” one neighbor said. “Here we are in a big city right next to the metropolis of Milwaukee and we have all that right here.”

“We’ve been through this the last 15 years,” said Jack Raymond, who lives on nearby West Abbott Avenue. “The trees are getting destroyed all over. It’s a joke. I want to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

Some of the wildlife could leave the wooded area once construction begins, but Phelan’s plans include the preservation of many trees. Phelan and City Forester Dennis Fermenich went through the woods and identified trees worth preserving, including a large oak tree Mayor Michael Neitzke once fought to protect when he was an alderperson and a multi-family development was being proposed for the same area.

“It’s our practice to mark trees we’re going to save with a snow fence,” Director of Neighborhood Services Richard Sokol said. “The big oak tree will absolutely, unequivocally preserved.

Manuel Villarreal, who also lives on nearby Abbott Avenue, said he was glad to see the land developed and hoped the adjacent property values would go up as a result.


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