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Beloit council approves PUD and rezoning for 1400 White Avenue to allow ground-floor studio and future cafe
Summary
The Beloit City Council on Jan. 6 approved a Planned Unit Development (PUD) master land use plan and adopted an ordinance rezoning 1400 White Avenue to PUD to allow an arts-and-crafts studio on the ground floor with an upper-floor dwelling. Planning staff said the Planning Commission recommended approval 5-0 subject to 12 conditions.
The Beloit City Council on Jan. 6 approved a Planned Unit Development (PUD) master land use plan and rezoned 1400 White Avenue to a Planned Unit Development district, clearing the way for a ground-floor arts-and-crafts studio with a possible future cafe and a dwelling unit on the upper floor.
City planning staff member Julie, speaking for the city, said applicant Kira Wilson seeks to use the existing building—built around 1917to operate an 828-square-foot ground-floor studio and reuse the upper-floor apartment. "Kira is planning to do is to have an arts and crafts studio and cafe on the ground floor," Julie told council. Planning Commission review on Dec. 18 recommended approval, 5-0, subject to the 12 conditions listed in the PUD attachment.
Under current R1B single-family residential zoning the buildings lower commercial space has been vacant since about 2006 and is not permitted for commercial use; the PUD and rezoning allow a limited neighborhood commercial use that staff and commissioners said fits the citys comprehensive-plan goal of reusing small commercial spaces in walkable neighborhoods. The PUD application and staff report specify use of the existing structure, an 828-square-foot lower level, and a 140-square-foot open porch.
Councilor Terrell made the motion to approve the PUD master land use plan; Councilor Dentsch seconded. The council then proceeded to consider ordinance No. 3859 to rezone the property from R1B to PUD. Council members voted to suspend the rules to allow second reading the same night and approved the ordinance; the motion and second on the ordinance were recorded in the minutes and the matter passed during the meeting.
The city record for the PUD includes Attachment A, which lists 12 conditions of approval; those conditions were not read into the record in full during the council presentation. Staff noted the propertys ground-floor commercial area would rely primarily on walk-in and bicycle access and that expanded parking requirements were not being imposed because the site is in a walkable neighborhood near the college.
The council approved both the PUD master land use plan resolution (Resolution 2025-6) and Ordinance No. 3859 (rezoning to PUD) during the Jan. 6 meeting. No roll-call vote totals were recorded in the oral record; the council used voice votes to approve both items during the meeting.
The rezoning permits the applicant to reopen and reactivate the ground-floor commercial space for neighborhood-scale business activity while retaining the upstairs dwelling. Any future physical changes beyond the scope of the approved PUD will require additional review and permits.
