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Plan Commission approves concept plan for two industrial-flex buildings in Clement Business Park
Summary
The commission approved a concept plan for industrial-flex development on Lots 12 and 13 of the Clement Business Park, allowing the city to proceed with the land sale; a full site plan review will follow before construction.
The Fort Atkinson Plan Commission on June 10 approved a concept plan for an industrial-flex development on Lots 12 and 13 in the Clement Business Park, clearing a condition the city placed on a prospective land sale.
City staff said Wisconsin Development Partners offered to purchase the two lots and included a concept site plan to demonstrate likely use as light industrial/flex commercial buildings. Jed Drager, building inspector and zoning administrator, described the submittal as an initial concept rather than a full site plan: "This is more of a concept," he said, and noted a full site plan review would be required before construction.
Staff said the concept generally meets ordinance expectations for materials, facade rhythm and orientation, but that several technical details would be addressed in a later full site plan review. Commissioners discussed signage, pedestrian connectivity and vehicle access. One commissioner suggested the west (Janesville Avenue) elevation should show signage locations and a consistent tenant-sign approach so signs do not appear "slapped on." Drager noted the sign code allows a minimum of 40 square feet per business in multi-tenant situations and that additional façade signage would be evaluated at site-plan review.
Commissioners also raised access and circulation questions: the front parking area faces Janesville Avenue with a single in/out access point, and staff said internal connections and secondary access toward the Milky Drive cul-de-sac would be evaluated in the site-plan stage along with fire-department radii for emergency access.
Staff recommended approval of the concept plan to allow the land sale to proceed; the commission moved, seconded and approved the concept plan on a voice vote. Drager reiterated that a full site plan would return to this body for technical review and approval before building permits were issued.
The concept includes an option the developer has to purchase Lot 1 if exercised by Oct. 31. The proposal shows two roughly 300-foot buildings in the rendering; specific tenant layouts and garage-door locations will be reviewed in the site-plan stage.
