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Plan Commission backs rezoning for townhome development near 17th Avenue
Summary
The Wausau Plan Commission voted to recommend rezoning three parcels on Lake Street and three parcels on Cello Street from single-family districts to a TRD‑12 townhome residential district; the matter advances to the City Council on Aug. 12.
The Wausau Plan Commission voted July 15 to recommend that the City Council rezone 1427 Lake Street (and adjoining parcels at 1601, 1607 and 1611 Cello Street) from single‑family residential zoning to the TRD‑12 townhome residential district, a change that would allow duplexes, townhomes and small multiplexes under the new district.
The rezoning was requested by Wausau Real Estate LLC; Mark Thompson of MTS, representing the applicant, told the commission the application was first filed in late 2022 and that plan‑commission members had recommended approval previously before the City Council rejected the rezoning. Thompson said the project’s proposed density is about 6.4 units per acre and that the height would be comparable to a two‑story single‑family dwelling.
City planning staff explained the item is a zoning‑map amendment: moving parcels from SR‑5 and SR‑2 (single‑family) into TRD‑12 (townhome residential). The TRD‑12 district permits duplexes, twin homes, townhomes and multiplexes and allows up to four units by right (uses of five to eight units would require a conditional‑use permit and a separate approval process). Staff noted a maximum building height in TRD‑12 of about 35 feet, roughly the two‑story scale typical of single‑family homes.
Neighbors raised traffic and access concerns. Resident Ken Jensen said the streets in the area are worn and have limited egress, asking whether parking and exit points had been addressed. Staff said access would depend on the final development proposal; the concept reviewed by staff proposes access from the existing Lake Street frontage road that connects to 17th Avenue but the applicant may propose a private drive and the final approach would be reviewed with a conditional‑use process if the project moves forward.
Commissioners also discussed that the site is adjacent to busy 17th Avenue and that multifamily or townhome uses can serve as a buffer between high‑intensity corridors and lower‑density neighborhoods. The staff report and the applicants’ materials were the basis for discussion; no final site plan was approved as part of the rezoning recommendation.
With a motion and second, the Plan Commission voted to forward a recommendation of approval; the rezoning will be considered by the City Council on Aug. 12.
