Fort Atkinson council approves two PUD zoning changes, transfers multiple licenses and proclaims World Migratory Bird Day

The Fort Atkinson City Council on March 4 adopted two ordinances rezoning parcels east of Fort Atkinson High School to planned unit developments (PUDs), approved multiple transfers of alcohol and tobacco retail licenses, adopted a resolution recognizing World Migratory Bird Day and authorized payment of verified claims.

The two zoning ordinances, considered together as part of the PUD review process, change the base zoning for two adjacent parcels near Fort Atkinson High School to allow multifamily development with site-specific flexibilities. Building Inspector and Zoning Administrator Dreier described the requests as typical PUD adjustments that include setbacks, landscaping and other site-specific flexibilities; the proposed buildings would be three stories with underground parking. City staff recommended forgoing a third reading and moving to final adoption. Council suspended the rules and adopted both ordinances on roll-call votes that passed unanimously, 4–0.

Why it matters: The council and staff said the projects increase the tax base and enable denser housing configurations on constrained lots near the high school. Dreier reported a potential taxable value increase tied to the projects; the figure was discussed during the meeting as approximately $14,000,000 of taxable value for the first project and per‑unit and total figures for the second project as stated in the staff summary.

In other formal actions, the council unanimously approved a resolution recognizing World Migratory Bird Day for Saturday, May 10, 2025. City Manager Hausman described the annual designation (since 2016) and summarized recommended actions for residents to support migratory birds, including planting native species, dimming lights at night and reducing plastics.

The council also approved multiple license transfers for the March 5–June 30, 2025 licensing period. The license committee recommended approval of each transfer, contingent on payment of any amounts owed to the city prior to issuance. Approved items included:

- Transfer of a Class A liquor and beer license and a cigarette/tobacco and electronic vaping retail license to Sahib Enterprises LLC at 1220 Janesville Avenue (license period 03/05/2025–06/30/2025). - Transfer of a Class A beer (on‑sale) license and a cigarette/tobacco and electronic vaping retail license to King's Operating Wisconsin LLC doing business as Pump and Shop at 303 South Main Street (license period 03/05/2025–06/30/2025).

Each license motion was approved without recorded roll-call dissent; council made approval contingent on the licensee paying outstanding amounts to the city prior to issuance and providing items noted in the staff reports.

The consent agenda was approved by unanimous voice vote, and the council authorized payment of verified claims in a roll-call vote that passed unanimously, 4–0.

City Manager Hausman delivered the manager’s report with several operational items and upcoming events: staff has moved into a new public works and parks operations facility at 600 Tailcutt, final site work and a community open house are planned for summer; the private infrastructure phase of the Ridgeview Estates development is scheduled to begin in early April with a planned April groundbreaking with Intrepid Investments; Habitat for Humanity will break ground on its first new Jefferson County home in April; and Fort Atkinson will host the 2025 Wisconsin Rural Partners Summit on April 30–May 1. Hausman also reported on recent municipal meetings attended, Madison College dual‑credit participation statistics for the Fort Atkinson campus and that he received an invitation to serve on the Jefferson County EMS committee (final appointment authority is with the county board chair).

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance: Amend official zoning map for Lot 1 (formerly Lot 61), east of Fort Atkinson High School — change from MRH 30 (multifamily residential 30) to PUD (planned unit development). Motion to suspend and adopt: approved by roll call, 4–0. (Referenced in actions as action_zoning_lot1.)

- Ordinance: Amend official zoning map for Lot 2 (formerly Lot 1), east of Fort Atkinson High School — change from SR 2 (single family residential 2) to MRM 12 (multifamily residential medium 12) with PUD. Motion to suspend and adopt: approved by roll call, 4–0. (action_zoning_lot2.)

- Resolution recognizing World Migratory Bird Day (May 10, 2025): approved by voice vote, unanimous. (action_birdday.)

- Alcohol license transfer — Sahib Enterprises LLC (1220 Janesville Ave): approved, contingent on payment of outstanding amounts prior to issuance. (action_sahib_alc.)

- Cigarette/tobacco/vaping license transfer — Sahib Enterprises LLC (1220 Janesville Ave): approved, contingent on payment of outstanding amounts prior to issuance. (action_sahib_tobacco.)

- Alcohol license transfer — King's Operating Wisconsin LLC d/b/a Pump and Shop (303 S. Main St.): approved, contingent on payment and staff‑report items. (action_pumpshop_alc.)

- Cigarette/tobacco/vaping license transfer — King's Operating Wisconsin LLC d/b/a Pump and Shop (303 S. Main St.): approved, contingent on payment. (action_pumpshop_tobacco.)

- Verified claims and authorization of payment: approved by roll call, 4–0. (action_claims.)

Discussion vs. decisions

Council debate on the zoning items centered on the site‑specific flexibilities requested in the PUDs (setbacks, landscaping, driveway throat length), difficulty meeting landscaping requirements given the proposed building footprints and the presence of underground parking. Staff and Plan Commission previously reviewed both proposals; staff recommended final adoption at second reading and the council moved to suspend the rules and adopt both ordinances. Where numeric projections and tax‑increment estimates were mentioned in staff remarks, the council did not change the ordinances’ provisions at the meeting.

What’s next

- Private infrastructure work for Ridgeview Estates is scheduled to start in early April; the council and staff anticipate a groundbreaking event in April with the developer Intrepid Investments. - A community open house for the new public works and parks operations facility will be scheduled this summer after site work is complete.

This article is based on council proceedings recorded March 4, 2025; it summarizes motions and formal outcomes recorded in the meeting minutes and staff reports presented to the council.