Apple Creek Farms is a nearly 1200-acre tract of land on the north side of Appleton that will be developed in at least five phases over the next twelve to fifteen years. About 220 acres of the property is in the Town of Freedom and was developed as Equestrian Park at Apple Hill Farm. The remaining acreage was annexed to the City of Appleton. Apple Hill Farms will consist of high end, medium priced and condominium residential units, with some service type commercial development on the fringe of the project. The development will include public parkland and a 115 acre undisturbed woodland area that will add substantial character and quality of life for future residents of Apple Hill Farms.

 

Challenging aspects of the development were to create buildable lots on land that contained wooded areas and steep terrain with many drainage ways while at the same time trying to preserve the natural beauty of the environment. Other issues that had to be considered were wetlands and expansion of existing farm ponds into detention faculties to handle more storm water. Building streets with exceedingly steep grades and dealing with steep side slopes required split level streets.

 

There was a great need for a well-prepared and reliable economic feasibility study for this large development, for the developer to take to the bank and the City of Appleton. The City would not consider annexing the property until their Finance Department had completed an economic analysis to justify the City's cost for providing services to the development. The developer and Martenson & Eisele worked closely with the City of Appleton in the preparation of a complex Developer's Agreement that would address all of the responsibilities that each entity would have to bring the project to fruition. 

 

The first phase of the project, consisting of 125 single family lots, has been platted and will be built this spring.  Building permits are expected to be taken out by the fall of 2004. Phase 2 of the project is in the process of being platted, with construction anticipated in late 2004 and 2005.