Commission approves dunnage storage and site-plan changes at 1079 American Way; decision on container canopy deferred

The Verona Planning Commission took three actions on a multi-part application at 1079 American Way: it recommended approval of permanent outdoor storage for rotating dunnage south of the building, approved a site-plan amendment tied to revised landscaping and a dumpster enclosure (with a condition to replace five proposed shrubs with native canopy trees), and deferred consideration of a requested permanent placement of two conex containers under a canopy on an adjacent vacant lot so the applicant and staff can negotiate revisions.

Staff told the commission the site plan and certified survey map for a new warehouse were approved in December 2024 and April 2025, and construction is already underway on the new building. The applicant sought approval for two separate outdoor storage areas: one south of the under-construction building for rotating dunnage (wood pallets and similar material), and a larger proposed storage area north of the building on a currently vacant adjacent lot where containers had been placed temporarily in the past.

Staff recommended approval of the south-side rotating dunnage storage, subject to landscaping changes to provide screening and an eight-foot fence, and recommended denial of the north-side containers because the larger north lot could not be sufficiently screened and is a separate lot rather than an accessory use on the same parcel. Staff also noted prior approvals allowed five containers temporarily but the site had at times hosted 15 or more.

Applicant Kevin Zerman of Wisconsin Brewing Company addressed commissioners and asked to retain two 40-foot conex trailers with a welded canopy that peaks around 19 feet to store outdoor furniture, rotating dunnage and pallets; he said those containers would be removed once a future warehouse is built but that the applicant expects the next building in two to three years.

During deliberations, Commissioner Wood moved to recommend approval of the south-side rotating dunnage storage (seconded by Alder Swanson); the motion passed. On the north-side containers, commissioners agreed to pull that element from the packet to allow staff and the applicant to work toward an agreement; Commissioner Wood moved to refer item 2 to the next plan commission meeting and Commissioner Harrison seconded; the motion passed. Finally, Alder Swanson moved to approve the site-plan amendment for landscaping and a dumpster enclosure with the condition that the five trees/shrubs along the south property line be replaced with native canopy trees; Commissioner Wood seconded and the motion passed.

Staff recommended the applicant replace the lower-growing species proposed in the original landscaping plan with canopy trees such as red maple, hackberry or swamp white oak to provide screening above the fence line. The commission’s recommendations will be forwarded to the Common Council as applicable; the pulled north-side container request will return when staff and the applicant agree on revisions.