Planning commission backs rooftop equipment and storefront changes at 301–303 West Verona Ave.

The Rona Planning Commission on Sept. 2 recommended the common council approve a conditional-use permit to exceed the Central Commercial zoning district—s maximum height for roof-mounted mechanical equipment at 301 and 303 West Verona Avenue and approved a related site plan amendment to enclose a breezeway and modify the storefront. Staff described the project as a build-out to occupy the previously approved western commercial unit and to add rooftop and ground-mounted mechanical equipment that will be concealed behind enclosures.

The proposal includes enclosing the existing breezeway, replacing storefront windows and installing mechanical units at grade and on the rooftop. "The existing, zoning regulations for this district, do exempt commercial from requiring parking," Mister Severson, planning staff, told the commission, explaining why the project does not trigger additional parking requirements.

The hearing drew one public speaker, Allison Hoffman of 303 Church Avenue, who said she drives past the site several times daily and asked how additional customer and delivery traffic will be handled. "So it's just a very congested intersection," Hoffman said, describing narrow streets, frequent deliveries and spillover parking in the neighborhood.

Commissioners and staff discussed noise, parking and capacity. When asked about noise limits for rooftop equipment, Mister Severson said, "there's nothing in our ordinance that has limits on decibels for mechanical equipment," and noted the code regulates generators separately because they are typically louder. The applicant told the commission they had secured two dedicated parking spaces in the rear lot for delivery staff. "We worked with the landlord to get 2 dedicated parking spots for our delivery team, in that back lot," the applicant said.

Commissioners said they were sympathetic to neighborhood concerns about traffic and parking but noted those are broader issues the city—s comprehensive plan update and other transportation planning efforts are intended to address. Alder Swanson encouraged residents with traffic concerns to attend the comprehensive-plan open houses.

The planning commission voted to recommend that the common council approve the conditional-use permit to exceed the roof-mounted equipment height limit and approved the site plan amendment. Both actions passed by voice vote and will be forwarded to the common council; the commission indicated the CUP will be taken up at the council meeting next Monday.

The site was approved previously in 2021 with two ground-floor commercial units, a breezeway, surface parking and an outdoor patio. Staff said the mechanical chase in the building partly dictates rooftop equipment location because ducts run from the first floor to the roof.

The applicant and commissioners said the enclosed breezeway and other alterations are intended to provide three-season seating and storage that the operator said are necessary for the business to be viable through winter months. Staff estimated a typical restaurant build-out at about four to five months; the applicant mentioned a potential opening timeline of late spring 2026 if approvals and construction proceed.

The recommendation to the council and the site plan approval do not add new municipal noise or parking regulations; any broader traffic or parking changes would be considered through separate, citywide planning processes.