Altoona Plan Commission Meeting Summary – November 12, 2024

The Altoona Plan Commission met on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, at 4:30 p.m. in Council Chambers at Altoona City Hall, 1303 Lynn Avenue, Altoona, WI. The meeting included approval of prior minutes, a public hearing and decision on Galaxy Auto's conditional use permit application, and a training announcement.

Consent Calendar

• The Plan Commission unanimously approved the minutes of the September 10, 2024 regular Plan Commission meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public spoke during the citizens participation period.
• The public hearing for the Galaxy Auto conditional use permit was opened; no public testimony was offered, and the petitioner declined to speak.

Discussion Items

Galaxy Auto Conditional Use Permit

• The application, submitted by Jesse Sim of Galaxy Auto, requested a conditional use permit for an automotive dealership on parcel number 1820122709272202038, in a commercial zone off Hastings Way next to KFC.
• Planning staff described the proposal as a 3,200-square-foot building with two shop bays, displaying five to fifteen vehicles at a time indoors and outdoors, with primary access from Hastings Way and hours of operation Tuesday through Saturday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. The existing space is vacant and the use is consistent with the surrounding area.
• Staff noted the site has approximately 20 parking spaces and explained that the ordinance requires one space per 1,000 square feet of floor area; the 3,200-square-foot building would require about 3.2 spaces, so the proposal greatly exceeds the minimum. A commissioner asked whether the 20 parking spaces included stalls for vehicles being sold; staff confirmed the count refers to outside stalls and excludes indoor space.
• Jesse Sim stated that the dealer's license is conditioned on receiving the permit, and once approved, he could submit paperwork and open the doors within a couple of weeks.
• Planning staff recommended approval as conditioned.

Key Outcomes

• A motion to approve the Galaxy Auto conditional use permit with staff's recommended conditions was made, seconded, and carried unanimously by voice vote.
• The permit becomes active upon approval. The Plan Commission is the land use authority for conditional use permits, so the matter does not require further Common Council approval.
• Planning staff announced that small-group land use and planning training sessions will be scheduled for Plan Commission members in December or January; Doodle poll emails will be sent to arrange informal two-to-three person sessions.
• The meeting adjourned at 5:37 p.m.