Council reviews Monona Pines 48-unit development; TIF assistance discussed, no vote taken

The Monona Common Council heard a developer presentation Monday about Monona Pines, a 48-unit market-rate apartment project proposed for the 5103–5105 Monona Drive parcel that developers say relies on tax-increment financing to proceed.

City staff opened the discussion by describing the proposal as “48 market rate units of residential units with [a] ground floor fitness center” that received planning approvals last fall. Randy Christiansen, the developer’s representative, told the council the project “is a TIF assisted project, which … it doesn't work without the TIF assistance.”

The project, presented by the development team including architect Mark Ott and managing member Robert Proctor, calls for a mix of studios, one-bedroom and two-bedroom units, roughly 63 parking stalls (mostly enclosed or underground), and multiple green roofs — the team said approximately 90% of the main roof will be a green/blue roof system to meet stormwater requirements. The development plans also include a fourth-floor occupiable roof terrace and a first-floor fitness room with storefront windows facing Monona Drive.

Councilors and developers discussed whether the front-level fitness space could be operated commercially as well as serve residents; the development team said the space could be used for resident amenity classes and by an identified instructor, but that more typical commercial uses (coffee shop, restaurant) would be difficult given limited parking in the immediate area. City staff and plan commission notes referenced earlier rezoning and consistency with redevelopment-area plans approved by the council in late 2024.

At the meeting the council suspended rules to move the development agreement discussion into closed session under Wisconsin Statute § 19.85(1)(e) to deliberate negotiating the purchasing of public property and other specified business; the council then entered closed session. After returning to open session the mayor noted that consideration of resolution 25-5-2806, the development agreement between the City of Monona, Monona Community Development Authority and Monona Pines 2 LLC, had its first reading and that “there's no action taken on that tonight.”

Councilors asked about a reported $1.2 million TIF assistance figure; the transcript shows one councilor raising the amount when discussing what information is relevant to their decision. The record shows no final action on the development agreement at this meeting.

If and when the council takes formal action, the development agreement and any TIF commitment would return for a subsequent reading and vote.