Plan Commission Meeting – September 9, 2025

The Plan Commission of Altoona met on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at 1303 Lynn Avenue, Altoona, WI. Chairperson Matthew Buren presided, with members Ryan Looty, Nicholas Hog, and Dean Roth present. Staff included Planning Director Taylor Greenwell, City Engineer Christian Hubert, and City Clerk Cindy Bauer. The commission reviewed two Certified Survey Maps and approved five site plans for the Whitetail Woods subdivision.

Call to Order and Routine Matters

• Roll call was taken; members absent were Mayor Brendan Pratt, Bill Heppner, and Sue Rowe.
• No public comments were offered during the Citizens Participation Period.
• The minutes of the August 19, 2025, regular meeting were approved (motion by Hog, second by Roth; Roth abstained).
• No unfinished business was reported.

Certified Survey Map – 3‑Lot Division (Item 1)

• Staff presented a CSM to split Lot 3 of Whitetail Woods into three lots, planned for a 12‑unit and two 24‑unit multifamily buildings. The commission recommended approval to the City Council with staff conditions (motion by Roth, second by Hog; unanimously approved). A public hearing is set for September 11, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.

Certified Survey Map – 4‑Lot Division (Item 2)

• A CSM to consolidate and redivide Lots 1 and 2 into four lots, proposed for 20, 12, 8, and 16 units. Charlene Lynham (6780 Nine Mile Creek Road) addressed the commission, opposing the three‑story building heights planned for lots 1‑3, citing privacy concerns and neighborhood character. The commission recommended approval with staff conditions (motion by Roth, second by Hog; unanimous). The public hearing is set for September 11, 2025, at 6:05 p.m.

Site Plan Approvals (Items 3–7)

The commission approved five site plans for multifamily buildings within the Whitetail Woods development. Each plan met all applicable code requirements; staff recommended approval with conditions. A commission member voiced ongoing concerns about the number of new apartments and potential impacts on local schools, but all votes were unanimous.

• Item 3 – 12‑Unit Building (Lot 1 of 3‑Lot CSM): 32 ft height, 27 parking spaces (12 garage + 15 exterior). Approved.
• Item 4 – 20‑Unit Townhome Development (Lot 1 of 4‑Lot CSM): Four buildings (two 6‑unit, two 4‑unit), 39 ft height, 60 parking spaces (40 garage + 20 exterior). Approved.
• Item 5 – 12‑Unit Townhome Development (Lot 2 of 4‑Lot CSM): Three 4‑unit buildings. Approved.
• Item 6 – 8‑Unit Townhome Development (Lot 3 of 4‑Lot CSM): Two 4‑unit buildings. Approved.
• Item 7 – 16‑Unit Multifamily Building (Lot 4 of 4‑Lot CSM): 32 ft height, 32 parking spaces (16 garage + 16 exterior). Approved.

Conditions on the site plans include material approvals, landscaping, stormwater management, and fire‑lane markings. One commission member noted continued opposition to the scale of apartment construction but acknowledged that the proposals complied with city ordinances.

Other Business

• Planning Director Greenwell announced a community charrette (visioning workshop) on Friday and Saturday, September 12‑13, facilitated by UW‑Extension. Several commission members indicated their intent to attend.

Key Outcomes

• The Plan Commission recommended approval of two CSMs to the City Council, with public hearings scheduled for September 11, 2025.
• Five site plans were approved, authorizing a total of 68 new residential units (12+20+12+8+16) in the Whitetail Woods subdivision.
• All actions were approved unanimously, with one member expressing reservations but voting in favor.