[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6233424,"mediaKeyId","3419397-c6318542e1285fa8b3cd934d6119a29e","parentId",3419397,"title","Consultants launch Waunakee comprehensive plan process; steering committee set for 14–16 month effort","audioSeconds",4755,"startMs",2673000,"endMs",7428000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3419397-c6318542e1285fa8b3cd934d6119a29e&start=2673&end=7428","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3419397-c6318542e1285fa8b3cd934d6119a29e/thumbnail_2673000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6233424/Waunakee/Dane-County/Wisconsin/Consultants-launch-Waunakee-comprehensive-plan-process-steering-committee-set-for-1416-month-effort","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6233424-7bd71b24ecc0e81d5a7b69ec6ae3828c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771100422&Signature=KMlxlT0XzDL~jyE5GP-7WGjlRJ6QAndmcBDfSpBqMz72xCsumU8d9jNboJKe7Rss~DC8i2sNS8pq70gD~2XtRGwnEZdmIJsnUu0C1HrOzOpPgjNkZ4DC4bRVkqrlmGcY1PJQ4xq4d4yHVKoBa8F5qvQ6yOF9iOvjb~aTMKSLmiV9X-~O4MepvrJjQMOrFb~TRewTYYaBD1rRKrksfVhc4bCzThCzVPk67PNnFDPTvCCzRrTV6TLXw2C9uMjOXkN08TjgsnvA6jMi-9k1hj2M1xIE6p-ZpBWAJgqvhPjZavxUGUAYIBpWbZTj1syk8S758QQUSHfH6UAtgSG9G7t8uA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Village of Waunakee, WI","date","2025-05-21T09:15:57.49Z","article","Consultants from the Lakota Group, SV Friedman and traffic and market advisors presented a kickoff for an update to the Village of Waunakee comprehensive plan, telling the plan commission their work will run roughly 14 to 16 months and will emphasize public engagement and an implementable set of actions.

Andy Cross of the Lakota Group described a three‑phase schedule: Phase 1 will “engage and assess” existing conditions and produce a state‑of‑the‑village report; Phase 2 will test ideas and refine a planning framework; and Phase 3 will produce the plan and an implementation program, with a recommended one‑year check‑in after adoption. Cross said, “It’s going to be a fairly long process, often 14 to 16 months,” and asked the commission to serve as a steering committee to review work products before they reach the full village board.

Lakota introduced the consulting team: Hannah Kroll (planner, Lakota Group), Scott First (president, Lakota Group), Tran Root (partner, SB Friedman Development Advisors), and Derek Hungness (transportation planner, Traffic Analysis & Design). SB Friedman will prepare housing and market analysis, and the transportation consultant will assess roadway and mobility constraints.

Consultants described planned public engagement tools: focus groups (school district, senior groups, business owners, downtown operators), pop‑up events (farmers markets or community events), community conversations (small‑table workshops), an on‑line survey and a visual preference exercise to test different built‑form scenarios. The team proposed branding options and a working name, including a tentative “Waunakee 2040” label and an illustrative “key to the future” concept for project materials; commissioners offered local images (the movie‑park stone bridge, the water tower and the Main Street watercolor) as possible graphics.

Commissioners used the kickoff to raise local priorities. Housing was a repeat topic: commissioners said Waunakee has a high assessed‑value share in residential property and lacks some housing types (e.g., aging‑in‑place units and owner‑occupied townhomes) that would let long‑time residents relocate within the village. Traffic and Century Avenue aesthetics were flagged as major community concerns; commissioners expressed interest in multimodal connections and better pedestrian/bicycle linkages to county‑ and regional trails.

Economic development topics included maintaining a healthy tax‑base balance between residential and commercial assessment, and identifying business types the village could attract without losing the small‑town character residents value. Consultants urged a systems approach — treating housing, transportation, parks and economic development as linked systems — and said the state‑of‑the‑village report from Phase 1 will present baseline data for those conversations.

Next steps: the consultants will draft a public participation plan for review, schedule focus groups and field work over the summer, and deliver the state‑of‑the‑village report to the steering committee as the first formal deliverable. Commissioners and staff agreed to continue working on outreach methods and to provide local contacts for focus groups and pop‑up events.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Waunakee Plan Commission Meeting 5/12/25","oneSentenceSummary","Consultants from the Lakota Group and partners presented the kickoff for Waunakee’s comprehensive plan update, outlining a 14–16 month timeline and a public engagement program that will feed a state‑of‑the‑village report and an implementation‑oriented plan.","taxTitle","Waunakee, Dane County, Wisconsin","taxId",69795,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6233429,"Commission reviews 12×48 exterior freezer proposal at 301 S. Century Ave.; asks for stronger screening and design details",730,420000,1150000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3419397-c6318542e1285fa8b3cd934d6119a29e&start=420&end=1150","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3419397-c6318542e1285fa8b3cd934d6119a29e/thumbnail_420000.jpg","/articles/6233429/Waunakee/Dane-County/Wisconsin/Commission-reviews-1248-exterior-freezer-proposal-at-301-S-Century-Ave-asks-for-stronger-screening-and-design-details","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6233429-50bcf8db0bedb6935ec0d9d0f6bdb22a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771100422&Signature=UPKCPT5hR-J-RQHh9XJDd4cUT07rllBkthDBuBVUqts0LP3iE3LN5NWsY0GIgvVD2-W~CK5V8ZSDdVZJ8hiAqT8XAJE6qY4IGa~YwzEBSg7BLPw8Y8OHjjpcKO40E--mVi0Qhc-lHfY4xhvnWQzRKjX1li9pv9C0oaTe~~dPIS0LRcGZvTHoyTRcHyb72Xtnn-DQlJY~zf1t~ovfQB-iK-XRXVdgkz32CdkyGsBWWX7hANFsVtrMWTDQTJ4r6LCYkej8NXGL7jFr-XMKJySZB-O~aRJYfp5-qM81PeGTox3V73fWnJPQMK69T8LvLKXp38IaT03gi0b4cXlgyDhsGg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Plan commissioners discussed a site plan to install a 12‑by‑48‑by‑9‑foot exterior cooler/freezer immediately adjacent to the former Rocky Rococo restaurant at 301 South Century Avenue, and asked the applicant for more specific design and screening details before taking final action.

Planning staff described the proposed freezer as occupying the former drive‑through lane; the structure would attach to the existing building and have a single exterior door facing east. The developer told commissioners the freezer will be accessible from the building interior and that the corner protection will include bollards at each corner and additional bollards spaced along the 48‑foot length to protect the unit from plows and vehicle traffic.

Commissioners and the applicant discussed aesthetics: many asked if the freezer’s white aluminum exterior could be painted or trimmed to match the building’s stucco and stone facade and whether the red trim used elsewhere on the building could be integrated around the new unit. The applicant said the unit cannot structurally support a brick veneer, but can be painted and could include a red trim ring near the top to better blend with the existing building. Staff and commissioners also asked about hiding the unit behind fencing or taller landscaping; the applicant said taller trees were not proposed because several utilities (natural gas, electric, telephone and storm sewer) run under the planting area, so planting would be limited to shrubs and lower plantings.

Commissioners raised operational questions: deliveries are expected about four times per week and typically occur early in the morning at other locations, the applicant said. Commissioners also asked whether the outdoor door was for deliveries only (the applicant confirmed deliveries) and whether rooftop mechanicals would be added; the applicant said two additional mechanical units will be added to the roof.

Staff advised the commission it could either require the applicant to return with a detailed landscape and screening plan or authorize staff to finalize screening through administrative review. Multiple commissioners said they preferred to see more specific landscaping and aesthetic treatments before final approval. The applicant indicated flexibility on door placement if necessary to address circulation concerns.

Because the record shows commissioners asked for additional design detail and did not complete a final vote, the item remains unresolved pending the applicant’s submittal of refined landscaping/finish plans or staff authorization to approve enhanced screening.

No statutory or ordinance citation was introduced during the discussion; staff noted only minor engineering corrections (an incorrectly listed measurement and a drainage low point) that would be fixed in the plan set.","Plan commissioners reviewed a request to install a 12×48×9‑foot exterior freezer in the former drive‑through lane at 301 S. Century Ave. and asked the applicant for more specific landscape and finish details before final action.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6233434,"Plan commission approves Aldi site plan for Kilkenny Farms West after architecture, loading and landscape discussion",104,1266000,1370000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3419397-c6318542e1285fa8b3cd934d6119a29e&start=1266&end=1370","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3419397-c6318542e1285fa8b3cd934d6119a29e/thumbnail_1266000.jpg","/articles/6233434/Waunakee/Dane-County/Wisconsin/Plan-commission-approves-Aldi-site-plan-for-Kilkenny-Farms-West-after-architecture-loading-and-landscape-discussion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6233434-3b8694d76201ad7363e1f6b8582396ce/orig.mp4?Expires=1771100422&Signature=DqxCnrQmg9eVXky7yZagRgO3hmxj31F4fsGdMPV9RROYZZ~TIIpxGFCmQSd5WxryjCXFDhkSk4mutpWy1EmYwvG6J5WxpnmsAh8TU04sgm3oJN9hanv6tvyiM1bGbaisQU0LCglAlU4rGEKLZZe4UihgC~cCH-YFMCScsbTyZs8~0PWdnlRJ5PNnR33MbZmgTToZC55WrvX4XOZ853MPCGOpJpuM1EDEiSbNWHOJgUcoXj1WUYcDHSwCeyAbvRuGzFjeyxPy5u5iivJm6uL9m2XDei-~IKSrVQQqX4KrmW~1qOCo0izqKcM3wGAsy6qNHXTAeLx9kRzh0LFwhVLXTA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The joint plan commission on Monday approved a site plan for an Aldi grocery store on Lot 1 of Kilkenny Farms West, concluding a months-long review of building materials, the south elevation and truck access.

The vote followed a presentation by Tom Howe, director of real estate for Aldi, who said the company had revised its design several times to respond to staff feedback on materials, glazing and landscape buffering. “We are over 2,500 stores now nationally,” Howe said, describing Aldi’s experience adapting prototypes to local code and community preferences.

Commissioners and staff focused discussion on the south façade as a gateway into the village, changes to material breaks and the request from staff that the project consider larger bump‑outs at material transitions. Aldi representatives said the plan includes Nichiha cementitious panels, masonry water table details and added spandrel glazing on the tower features; they said a larger (12–18 inch) bump‑out would be costly and would require structural and siteplan changes. The developer also described a future‑proofing expansion area of roughly 1,200 interior gross square feet on the west side of the building.

The plan packet shows a loading dock and a landscaped buffer between Holiday Drive and the dock; commissioners asked about sightlines and the effect on nearby homes that back to Holiday Drive. Aldi’s team said the dock is separated by a park‑like planting buffer and that the contractor used auto‑turn drawings; the consultant Strand reviewed the truck turning analysis and reported no issues. Aldi said trucks will visit the store about eight to 10 times per week, with many deliveries arriving during early morning hours.

Commissioners and staff also discussed aesthetics for the site and building: matching the cooler/freezer wall color and trim to the building’s stucco and stone facing, adding a red trim around rooflines to blend the new building, and screening for rooftop mechanicals. Aldi described sustainability features in the design including LED lighting, an energy‑management system and a heat‑reclaim system tied to refrigeration; the company identified a single 25‑ton CES HVAC unit for the store and said refrigeration choices are part of its corporate sustainability program.

Public comment included Paula Hogan of Freshford Drive, who said she welcomed another grocer but worried that Aldi — “it’s not a full service grocery store” — might preclude getting a different full‑service chain in the village.

After discussion the commission moved to approve the site plan as presented; the motion carried on a voice vote. Commissioners said they expect Aldi and staff to continue coordination on final landscape plantings, minor site corrections and any mechanical screening during the building‑permit review.

Work now moves to permit review and construction scheduling; Aldi did not give a firm construction start date at the meeting.","The joint plan commission approved a site plan for a roughly 20,000-square-foot Aldi on Lot 1 of Kilkenny Farms West, following a review of south‑elevation architecture, a truck dock layout and landscaping. Commissioners pressed the developer for additional screening and material treatments but voted to approve the plan as presented.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Consultants launch Waunakee comprehensive plan process; steering committee set for 14–16 month effort

Commission reviews 12×48 exterior freezer proposal at 301 S. Century Ave.; asks for stronger screening and design details

Plan commission approves Aldi site plan for Kilkenny Farms West after architecture, loading and landscape discussion