New airpark planned

A new airpark is in the works for Bayfield, Wisconsin.

The private airport has been proposed at the top of a 380-acre parcel of land in the Town of Russell owned by CFS, LLC, which has submitted an application for the project to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE). The airport is part of a master site plan for a residential community called Waypoint. The development is the result of three years of planning, research and restoration referred to by its former working name Shadow Wood Landing.

The proposed airport is designed for GPS landing of private aircraft by home, hangar and landowners of Waypoint. The proposed runway has been reduced in length by more than 800 feet since the original plans to minimize the clearing area while still maintaining safe landing and takeoffs, developers note. Its proposed location at the top of the natural ridgeline, the result of working collaboratively with the DNR to identify the optimal long-term location of least impact, serves to reduce noise and allows for friendly neighbor flight practices, the developers add.

While the maximum number of homes allowed under current zoning on the 380-acre Waypoint site is 284, CFS plans to develop fewer than 100 homes over the course of several phases. Hangars and hangar homes will be situated along the airstrip, while single-family residences will be built in phases.

A land condominium ownership structure is planned, allowing shared ownership of the entire acreage while maintaining individual home sites. All structures at Waypoint, including homes, hangars and hangar homes, will adhere to strict architectural guidelines, developers said.

The land that encompasses Waypoint has been logged many times over in the past 120 years. CFS, LLC acquired the property from a local logger in 2007 who had capitalized on the red oak and black ash timber throughout the property and chose to forgo the associated fees for logging outside of the prescribed harvest schedule set by the Goodman Forest under Managed Forest Law (MFL). This previous owner began harvesting all select hardwoods, most areas of which he chose to harvest in a clear-cut fashion.

Since the acquisition of the land, CFS, LLC has taken steps to repair logging roads and to harvest select areas of unmerchantable timber and logging slash to be used as biomass woodchips to fuel the local power plant. Removing excessive logging debris minimizes disease, insect infestations, and improves the aesthetics of the property, CFS, LLC officials said. With “the best of intentions,” CFS, LLC continued this practice throughout the property in areas of improperly managed logging activities and, “regrettably, some of the areas included approximately 3.04 acres of wetlands,” officials said. “Now aware of the consequences of the activities on these wetlands, CFS has worked cooperatively to restoring the wetlands in an environmentally friendly manner.”

CFS is working with the DNR and the ACOE to restore the 3.04 acres of wetlands in the valley of the property at Waypoint that will protect Pike’s Creek. Under approval of DNR and ACOE, wetland restoration of the first area began this summer. Several stockpiles were burned, disking for recreation of microtopography has been conducted, and the area has been planted in oats for stabilization. Wood chips located in the wetlands on the north end of the property were removed by hand raking and burned. This fall, CFS will plant Juneberry and High Bush Cranberry shrubs along the perimeter of the wetland restoration area to enhance aesthetic quality of the wetland and incubate species diversity.

Based on the recommendations of DNR, the remainder of the restoration area will commence this winter after the ground has frozen, reducing the potential impact of rutting and compaction due to the wet conditions the Bayfield region has seen this summer. The DNR has provided access recommendations for the restoration activities minimizing impact to the site.

To compliment existing agricultural enterprises in Bayfield, CFS, LLC has begun research and testing for potential agricultural crops that could become an important piece of the overall project at a future date. CFS is actively compiling weather data for the site to identify potential crops and any opportunities for a small-scale agricultural industry to be located within the boundaries of the Waypoint community. The goal is to recognize and compliment agricultural operations existing in the greater Bayfield area.

“Waypoint will provide an inspiring and safe access to a pristine and remote location,” said Annalisa Cariveau, president and chief executive officer of CFS LLC. “Embracing the natural surrounding through thoughtful design, indigenous construction and organic uses, we will ensure a sustainable and relevant experience for Waypoint residents — all while fostering positive relationships and interactions within the Bayfield community.”

For more information: Waypoint46N.com