Altoona (WI) Plan Commission Meeting – October 13, 2026

The Altoona Plan Commission held its regular meeting on October 13, 2026, in the Council Chambers at Altoona City Hall. Chairperson Sue Rowe presided in the absence of Mayor Brendan Pratt. Members present were Ryan Looty, Nicholas Hog, Dean Roth, Bill Hepner, and Matthew Beeren (by phone); Planning Director Taylor Greenwald, Deputy Clerk Julie Oliver, and City Clerk Cindy Bauer were also present. The commission acted on two new-business items, recommending City Council approval of the Phase 2 Whitetail Woods final plat and of proposed amendments to Title 19 of the Altoona Municipal Code.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public spoke during the Citizens Participation Period; the period was closed with no testimony.

Minutes Approval

• The commission approved the minutes of the September 8, 2026, regular Plan Commission meeting on a voice vote.

New Business – Whitetail Woods Phase 2 Final Plat

• Planning Director Taylor Greenwald clarified that staff fully complied with state notice requirements: the required 10-day notice applies to the City Council meeting, not the Plan Commission, and notice was provided 10 days in advance.
• The full Whitetail Woods subdivision has 172 lots on approximately 60 acres. Phase 2 would plat 23 currently vacant lots on 24 acres, with single-family housing to the north, west, and east and railroad/vacant land to the south. The lots are single-family and twin-home lots under the updated R2 zoning.
• Staff explained the two-step preliminary/final plat process and why phases are reviewed separately. The Phase 2 final plat aligns with the preliminary plat approved July 11, 2024, and outlots are reserved for future phases.
• Commissioners discussed difficulties visualizing Phase 2 boundaries in the packet; staff identified the bolded area on the plat and offered to assist members with future materials.
• Commissioner Sue Rowe asked that the outlots intended for city dedication be labeled dedicated to the City to help the real property lister track ownership; staff noted the request.
• Staff recommended approval with conditions. A motion to recommend City Council approval of the Phase 2 final plat, with the staff conditions, was seconded and carried unanimously.

New Business – Title 19 Zoning Amendments

• Staff presented proposed adjustments to Title 19, including carrying over old sign-code language permitting contracted advertisements/sponsorships on city property such as ballparks; allowing the Planning Director to approve minor landscape-standard tweaks; exempting areas like Hillcrest from certain accessory structure placement rules; and cleanup language for multifamily design standards and driveway width maximums.
• Commissioners described the changes as straightforward cleanup. A motion to recommend City Council approval of the zoning amendments was seconded and carried unanimously.

Miscellaneous Business & Communications

• Greenwald encouraged commissioners to complete the city parks survey; about 50 responses had been received, and postcards were arriving with utility bills to encourage more participation.
• A regional recreation planning session facilitated by Visit Eau Claire was announced for Thursday in the city community room; staff said it was scheduled for 4:30–6 p.m. and offered to share details.

Key Outcomes

• Recommended City Council approval of the Phase 2 Whitetail Woods final plat (motion carried unanimously).
• Recommended City Council approval of the Title 19 zoning amendments (motion carried unanimously).
• Approved the September 8, 2026, Plan Commission minutes.
• Note: The agenda lists the City Council discussion/public hearing for both items as October 22, 2026; one spoken reference in the transcript says October 2, 2026. The agenda and staff materials indicate October 22, 2026.