Plan Commission unanimously forwards McCann Drive annexation and R‑1 rezoning to city council

The Janesville Plan Commission voted unanimously Feb. 3 to forward a petition to annex roughly 1.56 acres of land along McCann Drive (west of North Harmony Town Hall Road) and to apply R‑1 (single‑family and two‑family residence) zoning upon annexation to the City Council for final action.

Trey Meyer, planner for the City of Janesville, told the commission the area is within the city's urban service limits, is contiguous to the city along its southern boundary, and is designated in the city's comprehensive plan as "planned neighborhood." Meyer said city utilities (sanitary sewer, water and storm sewer) would be extended along McCann Drive to serve the property. Meyer said staff prepared an ordinance to zone the property R‑1 upon annexation and recommended that, following a public hearing, the planning commission forward the proposed R‑1 zoning to the city council with a favorable recommendation.

Mark Robinson, who identified himself as the owner of the subject land and said he lives at 5528 North Waterman Drive in Milton, told the commission he intends to create a four‑lot plat and construct condominium duplexes on the lots. Robinson said the product would be "no steps, no basements" flex condominiums aimed at buyers seeking single‑level living. When asked for a price range, Robinson replied, "4 to $4.50." (transcript: "4 to $4.50.")

Neighbors spoke at the public hearing with questions about neighborhood layout, lot sizes, traffic and drainage. Ed Bornham, who said he owns the farm just north of the property, asked whether the city had a plan for the whole area and whether a layout for the balance of the land existed. Dwayne (planning director) and Meyer said the city has a preliminary conceptual plan for the small portion before the commission but that a larger neighborhood plan for the balance of undeveloped land would be revisited and would require further submittals and review. Bob Hoff, an owner of a large lot directly south of the annexation parcel, asked whether covenants in the nearby Ternus Estates would be affected and raised concerns about stormwater and roadway turnaround/traffic; staff replied that stormwater, grading and drainage would be addressed during subdivision and site review, and that any turnabout or cul‑de‑sac design would be addressed at the land division stage.

Meyer explained that, if the city applies R‑1 zoning upon annexation as recommended, the owner would still need to seek a conditional use permit to allow two‑family structures on the proposed lots. That conditional use permit and any land division dedication for street right of way would require separate public hearings and plan commission review.

Commissioner Madair moved to forward the proposed R‑1 zoning upon annexation to the city council with a favorable recommendation; Commissioner Markline seconded. The commission conducted a voice vote in which Commissioners Bowerman, Madera, Dangara, Jackson, Bosco, Williams and Mark Twain were recorded as voting yes; the chair announced the motion was unanimously approved. Meyer said the item is scheduled to go to city council for their review on Feb. 24, 2025.

The commission record shows staff sent the requisite public notices and reported they had not received written public comments prior to the hearing. No formal amendments or conditions were made at the Feb. 3 plan commission hearing; substantive questions raised by neighbors were described as matters to be resolved during the subsequent conditional use and subdivision review process.

The rezoning recommendation follows the comprehensive plan designation for the site and does not itself authorize construction; project approvals and any required permits remain subject to later plan commission hearings and city council action.