Plan commission backs NI Pharmaceuticals site change with noise, land‑use exemptions

The Verona Plan Commission on Aug. 4 recommended that the Verona Common Council approve a preliminary and final plan development amendment allowing NI Pharmaceuticals to convert the existing building at 201 Prairie Heights Drive into a small‑scale pharmaceutical ingredient manufacturing facility.

The commission’s recommendation would grant a land‑use exemption allowing light industrial manufacturing in an underlying office zoning district, and a conditional noise exemption so an outdoor backup generator may operate on the property’s southern side above the standard 62‑decibel limit at the commercial property line. The motion includes a condition that the applicant obtain administrative approval to screen the outdoor generator and supply options to dampen noise along the southern property line.

Planner Severson told the commission the property is part of a planned development originally approved in 1999 and most recently amended in February 2005; that planned development previously allowed the building to be used for office and warehousing. He said the proposed use is classified by the city’s zoning ordinance as a light industrial use and that business hours would be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Severson said the applicant anticipates 12 employees initially, with the potential to reach 25 employees within five years.

Severson said the proposed generator is calculated to produce 69.15 decibels at the south property line, exceeding the 62‑decibel standard for a commercial district. He also said the applicant installed a sound‑attenuated enclosure and that measured sound at the east and west property lines (adjacent to commercial and residential uses) conforms to standards. Given the generator’s location toward the highway and away from adjoining residences, staff recommended approval of the requested exemptions, subject to conditions in the staff report.

Commissioner Harrison said she was initially hesitant about a loading dock on the residential side but praised the applicant’s design, saying, “I think it looks really great.” A public commenter identified in the record as a resident raised no concerns after hearing the staff presentation.

Alder Swanson moved the recommendation and Commissioner Powers seconded. The commission voted by voice to forward the recommendation to the Common Council with the stated conditions; no no votes were recorded.

The matter will next appear on the Common Council agenda for final action.

Details from the staff report and the commission’s recommended conditions are in the planning packet referenced at the meeting.