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Commission approves rezoning for 14‑home subdivision at River Run Road; stormwater and HOA maintenance remain private matters
Summary
The commission rezoned a parcel at the north end of River Run Road to a plan development specific district to allow 14 single‑family homes; staff said the site conforms to the comprehensive plan and stormwater requirements were addressed with the original subdivision approvals.
On April 28, 2025, the La Crosse commission approved an ordinance rezoning a remaining parcel at the north end of River Run Road from Planned Development General to Planned Development Specific to allow construction of 14 single‑family, three‑bedroom homes.
Planning staff said the parcel was part of a previously platted subdivision and that stormwater infrastructure for the larger subdivision was installed under the original approvals. Staff recommended approval, describing the proposal as low‑density residential in conformance with the city’s comprehensive plan for the Southern Bluffs neighborhood. The applicants said the site’s unusual shape and lot limitations make a plan development specific district the practical route to creating the 14 planned homes; the development was proposed as a condominium plat with a homeowners association to manage private road maintenance and yard care.
Several questions from commission members and members of the public addressed maintenance of common areas and whether stormwater or grading issues from earlier phases could reappear. Planning staff and public works said stormwater controls were installed at the time the subdivision was originally platted and that single‑family detached homes typically do not trigger additional city stormwater requirements; staff added that the city does not generally have jurisdiction to require private maintenance agreements beyond standard plat and subdivision requirements.
John Missola (Little River Homes), who said his firm purchased the lot to avoid higher‑density development, described the plan to build 14 owner‑occupied single‑family homes and said the development would add housing supply and tax base. The commission voted to approve; the motions were made by Commissioner Yeager and seconded by Council member Trost.
Next steps: the project will proceed to final plat and permitting processes. Because maintenance of private stormwater facilities and private road snow removal will be the responsibility of a homeowners association under the proposed plat, those operational arrangements are expected to be handled between owners and the HOA rather than by the city unless the city’s standards are violated.
