Board of Zoning Appeals grants variances for three multifamily projects tied to new TND density rules

La Crosse's Board of Zoning Appeals on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, voted to grant variances allowing additional apartment units for three separate downtown projects because each would exceed the unit limits in the city's new traditional neighborhood development (TND) density rules.

The board approved a variance for 915 Main Street to allow 10 additional units on a 1.25-acre parcel; a variance for 518 and 526 Tenth Street to allow 15 additional units (bringing that project to 24 units); and a variance for the Badger West project to allow 19 additional units on about 0.73 acres. Building and Inspections staff had said the TND density rule allows 15 to 40 multifamily dwelling units per net acre and that, as written, the projects exceed the numeric limits in that section of the municipal code.

The appeals focused less on building design than on whether the numeric density standard in the TND code reflects the city's stated policy goals and the expectations under which developers had begun their projects. Applicants and their representatives said the developments were planned under prior zoning and that delaying…