Council approves preliminary/final plan for pharmaceutical facility at 201 Prairie Heights Drive with noise screening contingency

The Verona Common Council on Aug. 11 approved resolution 25-022, granting preliminary and final plan approval for a small-scale pharmaceutical manufacturing facility at 201 Prairie Heights Drive, with the condition that the applicant obtain administrative approval for screening of an outdoor emergency backup generator.

Alder Swanson moved approval of the resolution and Alder Weiss seconded; the motion passed on voice vote.

Planning staff and councilors discussed neighbors’ potential noise concerns related to the generator, but noted the unit is an emergency backup and is not expected to run regularly. Council members reported the plan commission recommended approval and that staff had consulted a professional sound engineer. “It’s an emergency backup generator, so it’s not gonna be running all the time,” a staff speaker said during discussion. The motion included exemptions listed in the packet and the contingency that the applicant obtain administrative approval for generator screening.

City staff described the manufacturing use as small-scale; the applicant expects between 10 and 20 employees and normal business-hour deliveries with small box trucks, not large semis. Fire department staff reviewed the site and discussed fire-protection measures; staff said there should not be detectable fumes or smells from the proposed operations.

The plan-development review was a noticed public hearing: staff said a legal notice was published, the property was posted and properties within 250 feet were notified; staff reported one phone call in response to the notice. The council approved Resolution 25-022 with the stated exemptions and contingency.

The council’s approval allows further administrative review and the applicant’s work toward required permits and screenings; no construction authorization or building-permit issuance was recorded during the meeting.