Fitchburg Plan Commission Meeting – July 21, 2026

The Fitchburg Plan Commission met on July 21, 2026, to consider several rezoning requests, conditional use permits, a preliminary plat, and staff updates. Key actions included approval of a horse boarding facility rezone, a rural residential rezone, a second phase of an assisted living and memory care campus, and a preliminary plat for a mixed-use development.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes of the previous meeting with one correction (amending the ADR text for the Spanish grocery store).

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public spoke on non-agenda items.

Discussion Items

RZCU 265426 – Consimius Ranch Horse Boarding Facility

• Request: Rezone land from Exclusive Agriculture (AX) to Small Lot Agriculture (AS) and from Rural Residential (RR) to AX, and obtain a conditional use permit for an existing horse boarding facility and caretaker apartment at 5949 and 5927 Adams Road.
• Staff Recommendation: Approval.
• Key Points: The applicants (William and Anne Consimius) were present to answer questions. The rezone and certified survey map would allow the horse boarding facility to be sold separately while preserving the bulk of farmland. The conditional use permit remains with the land.
• Outcome: Motion to approve the rezone and conditional use with 11 conditions carried. Motion to approve the certified survey map with 10 conditions (corrected from 14) carried.

RZ 265626 – Frostwood Farm Rezone

• Request: Rezone property from AX to Low Density Residential (RL) and Small Lot Agriculture (AS) at 5098 Adams Road.
• Staff Recommendation: Approval.
• Key Points: Lisa Steinhauer, representing the landowner, explained the parcel would be sold to a buyer intending to operate a horse facility on the AS lot and build a home. The project uses the Rural Residential Development Criteria (RRDC) with waivers for lot size (2 acres vs. 1.5) and steep slopes. Three claims remain unused on the farm.
• Outcome: Motion to approve rezone with 4 conditions carried. Motion to approve certified survey map with 15 conditions carried.

RZ 265926 – Grace Phase 2 (Assisted Living/Memory Care)

• Request: Rezone from PDD-SIP to PDD-SIP to allow a 64-bed community-based residential facility (memory care), adult daycare, eight studio apartments for employee housing, and campus renovations at 5395 East Cheryl Parkway.
• Staff Recommendation: Approval.
• Key Points: Phase one is already under construction. The dementia village will consist of eight houses with courtyards themed after Wisconsin landscapes. Final lighting and exterior materials to be approved prior to building permits. The applicant team (Duane Hellwick, Jesse Flugar, and others) answered questions.
• Outcome: Motion to approve rezone with 8 conditions carried. Motion to approve Architectural Design Review (ADR) with 17 conditions carried.

PPP 265826 – Preliminary Plat of Syncopation

• Request: Approve a preliminary plat to create 45 parcels (39 buildable lots) on County Highway M.
• Staff Recommendation: Approval.
• Key Points: This is a revised plat following PDD GIP approval in June 2026. Changes include realignment of GAD Street as a public street, one fewer single-family lot, conversion of two lots to multiplex, and a larger common area. The development includes single-family homes, townhomes, mixed-use, and the Trilogy continuum-of-care site. Transportation improvements (underpass, multi-use path, potential bus stops) were discussed.
• Outcome: Motion to approve preliminary plat with 20 conditions carried.

Staff Reports and Committee Updates

• Comprehensive Plan Update: Kickoff meeting scheduled for mid-September with a working group (public applications open through August 7). Plan Commission will be involved in the process.
• Farmland Preservation Map: Update to align zoned AX parcels with the state-certified map.
• Data Center Ordinance: Staff researching an ordinance for potential data center developments; no moratorium.
• TTC Report (July 9 meeting): Discussion on farmer's market safety (crosswalk at pavilion), Fitchrona Road delays, County Highway MM bike/ped underpass, Wayland Road paved shoulders, and a Comprehensive Safety Action Plan RFP.
• Age-Friendly Committee: Met earlier that day and covered topics already approved.

Key Outcomes

All motions were passed unanimously by voice vote, including:

• Approval of minutes with a correction.
• Approval of Rezone and Conditional Use RZCU 265426 with 11 conditions.
• Approval of Certified Survey Map CS 2655-26 with 10 conditions.
• Approval of Rezone RZ 265626 with 4 conditions.
• Approval of Certified Survey Map CS 2657-26 with 15 conditions.
• Approval of Rezone RZ 265926 with 8 conditions.
• Approval of ADR (Grace Phase 2) with 17 conditions.
• Approval of Preliminary Plat PPP 265826 with 20 conditions.
• Adjournment at 7:43 PM.