Prehearing held on rezoning request to bring Clean Lakes Alliance offices to Eastside Club; commission urges outreach and recommends follow-up meeting

The Planning Commission held a prehearing Thursday on a rezoning request from Clean Lakes Alliance to change the zoning at 3735 Winona Drive (the Eastside Club) from Multi‑Family Residence to Community Design District (CDD) so the nonprofit may occupy and remodel a portion of the club building.

Why it matters: City staff said the site’s 2016 comprehensive plan maps already classify the parcel for commercial use, making the requested CDD consistent with the comp plan. The applicant said the move would bring Clean Lakes Alliance offices and programming to Monona and noted a lease has been signed between the alliance and the Eastside Club.

Applicant comments: James, speaking for Clean Lakes Alliance, said the organization signed a one‑year lease with automatic extensions and reviewed the existing club space for a limited cosmetic remodel to create office and meeting space. He said the club’s leadership was concerned the rezoning could trigger additional code requirements or perceived obligations (signage, elevator access, music permitting), which James and city staff said would not be automatic consequences of the rezoning.

Commission direction and public input: Commissioners urged additional outreach to the Eastside Club board and recommended a joint meeting with city staff and the club’s leadership to clarify implications. One commissioner explained this is likely an administrative cleanup: earlier mapping and the comprehensive plan show the parcel as commercial and the zoning map had not been updated to reflect that. Commissioners suggested delaying final action to allow the club board and membership to review materials and meet with city staff; the applicant asked the commission to consider moving a formal hearing from March to April to accommodate club availability and to allow additional outreach.

What’s next: Staff will arrange follow‑up meetings among the applicant, Eastside Club representatives and city attorneys/staff to address board concerns. A formal rezoning hearing will follow required public notice; the commission indicated it expects the item will return after the additional outreach and internal club discussions.

Ending note: No formal rezoning vote was taken during the prehearing. Commissioners emphasized that rezoning would not, by itself, alter existing club operations unless and until specific approvals or applications trigger code requirements.