City Plan Commission Meeting – March 2, 2026
City Plan Commission Meeting – March 2, 2026
The La Crosse City Plan Commission met on Monday, March 2, 2026, at 4:00 PM in Council Chambers. Nine commissioners were present. The meeting covered three rezoning and subdivision items and an update on the zoning code project. Commissioner Elaine Yager recused herself from items 3 and 4.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the February 12, 2026 Special Meeting were approved by voice vote.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Item 2 (1402/1410 Gillette St & 1552 Loomis St): Property owner Nick Webb explained he purchased the property and was told it was correctly zoned, but a dwelling unit added without permits created non-conformity. He presented a plan to connect the structures into a triplex. Commissioners asked about timing and the option of splitting the lot.
- Item 3 (2415 State Road – Copper Rocks mixed-use development): Stephen Geyer (resident at 1334 S. 26th St) expressed opposition, citing a planned five‑story building within 50 feet of his property, privacy concerns, traffic congestion at the intersection (described as the busiest in La Crosse), and skepticism about promises made in 2022 that were not fulfilled. Jeremy Novak (360 Real Estate Solutions) spoke in favor, noting the project aligns with the city’s comprehensive plan, housing study, and climate action plan. He stated the project cost is $63 million, will include 247 residences (52 studios, 115 one‑bedroom, 73 two‑bedroom, 8 three‑bedroom), about 300 parking spaces, and 20,000 sq ft of commercial space. He noted the parcel currently pays $73,000/year in taxes and projected $870,000/year upon stabilization. He also explained the project failed to proceed earlier due to rising interest rates and construction costs, and that a TIF application is being negotiated.
Discussion Items
- Item 2 (Rezoning 1402/1410 Gillette St & 1552 Loomis St): Staff recommended a 60‑day referral to allow the applicant to first seek setback variances from the Board of Zoning Appeals. Commissioners discussed whether the commission could give an opinion to the Board of Zoning Appeals, but staff noted legal concerns about rezoning before variances are obtained. Commissioner Cherf expressed concern about the building’s appearance (concrete block painted, directly on sidewalk). Staff clarified it was a garage conversion done without permits. The motion to refer for 60 days passed by voice vote; minutes indicate the vote was 8 to 1? (the minutes read “8 to 10” but that appears to be a typo; the recorded vote shows Szymalak and Cherf opposed).
- Item 3 (Rezoning 2415 State Road – Copper Rocks): Staff presented the revised plan for a mixed‑use development on the former Kmart site, now with five buildings (240 units, increased from 216 in 2022). The development includes townhomes along Farnham Street to transition to the single‑family neighborhood, three mixed‑use buildings, and underground or at‑grade parking. Commissioner Newberry asked about building heights: the odd‑shaped building is five stories (commercial ground + four residential), the L‑shaped building is four or five stories, and the Farnham townhomes are two stories. The motion to recommend adoption of the ordinance passed unanimously by voice vote.
- Item 4 (Certified Survey Map & waiver – same property): Staff recommended a 30‑day referral because the submitted CSM was not the most current version; a revised CSM and a drainage utility and access agreement are needed. Jeremy Novak stated the CSM cannot be completed until the rezoning is approved, but he expected it within 30 days. The motion to refer for 30 days passed by voice vote.
- Item 5 (Zoning/Subdivision Code Update): Deputy Director Acklin updated that a large draft has been submitted; staff edits are due March 9. Public comment period and legislation are expected in the next few months. Two joint meetings with the City Council are scheduled: March 18 (residential and mixed‑use districts) and April (commercial/industrial). A community engagement tour is planned for May.
Key Outcomes
- Item 2: Referred for 60 days to the Judiciary & Administration Committee (motion carried by voice vote; minutes note a split vote with Szymalak and Cherf opposed).
- Item 3: Recommended to be adopted by the City Council (motion carried by voice vote).
- Item 4: Referred for 30 days to the Judiciary & Administration Committee (motion carried by voice vote).
- Item 5: Update received; no formal action taken.
The meeting adjourned at 4:42 PM.
Meeting Transcript
All right. Good afternoon, evening, everyone. We'll get this meeting uh started. Call and meeting to order at four o'clock PM on March 2nd, 2026. Uh all commissioners are present. Is Siamas online? Okay. Yes, I am. Thank you. All right, thank you. Let the rector reflect that uh Commissioner Siamas is joining us virtually. First start with the approval of the minutes of February 12th. Uh motion to approve the minutes made by Commissioner Yeager. Is there a second? Second by Councilmember Stein. Uh any discussion or corrections. All right, CNN, please signify by saying aye for approval. Any opposed? Any abstentions? CNN, that motion is approved. Moving to our first agenda item 260133. An ordinance to amend subsection one fifteen-one ten of the code of ordinance of the city of Lacrosse by transferring certain property from the single family residence district to the special residence district, allowing for three rental units, one duplex and a single family unit at 1402 and 14 San Gillette Street and 15 excuse me, 1552 Loomis Street. Uh staff. Thank you, Mayor. Uh this property is located on Gillette and Loomas Street on the north side. Um the applicant is requesting a rezoning from our one single family to our three special residence district. So there is currently a duplex and an accessory structure with a dwelling unit and attached garage on this property. Um the dwelling unit on the accessory structure was added around 2018, and no permits were obtained to add the dwelling to the accessory structure. Um but the property has since been sold to a new property owner. Uh prior to the dwelling unit in the accessory structure, their property was legal non-conforming with a duplex on the property. And now is non-conforming. An inspection recently verified the violation of code with two principal structures on one lot. So this rezoning is one of the steps needed to bring this property into compliance. But the property would also need to connect to submit plans to connect the two structures, so there's only one principal structure on a lot and receive a setback variance from the Board of Zoning Appeals. So with that, staff recommends a 60-day referral so the applicant can first submit a variance request to the Board of Zoning Appeals. Thank you. Any questions from commissioners? Councilmember Truss. I what I would say at this time is it's hard to definitively say yes because we haven't seen what's being proposed yet. But one thing that we have presented to the neighborhoods and the commission was this concept of taking lots and allowing them these corner lots and allowing them to be split into two lots. Um particularly on the north side, which is this is a prime example of one thing that our consultants had suggested we do on the north side. And so potentially we are looking at allowing for smaller lot sizes that would allow for the corner lots like this to be split. Doesn't mean there might not be some other challenges associated with that, but particularly with util private utilities having to be separated, but the short answers would be this is something that has been seriously being considered as part of the update, but it's hard to say yes, it will address it will be approved because we don't know that yet. Thank you. Any other questions? I have a question, Mr. Mayor. Uh I'd like to ask staff again. Are there design standards? Because this looks like a cement block building that's painted that's directly on a sidewalk.
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