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Fort Atkinson panel recommends sale of city land to resolve car-wash encroachment
Summary
The Fort Atkinson Plan Commission voted 4-0 Oct. 14 to recommend the City Council approve a certified survey map to permit the sale of 3,379 square feet of city-owned land adjacent to the former Fort Car Wash at 1200 Janesville Avenue to ADAD Car Wash LLC, resolving a driveway encroachment.
Fort Atkinson — The Fort Atkinson Plan Commission voted 4-0 on Oct. 14 to recommend that the City Council approve a certified survey map (CSM 2025-09) to allow the sale of 3,379 square feet of city-owned land adjacent to the former Fort Car Wash at 1200 Janesville Avenue. The sale would resolve an encroachment of the car-wash queuing drive onto city property and allow the new owner, ADAD Car Wash LLC, to continue renovations and reopen.
Planning staff explained that the encroachment was discovered after the property changed hands and that the CSM would move the property line closer to the nearby bike path while the paved surface would remain in its current location. "So only small vehicles will be able to access that, which poses a little bit of a problem," said Mr. Drager, planning staff, describing how removing the encroaching area from city property could limit access for larger vehicles. Mr. Drager also said the 10-foot setback required by city ordinance prevents moving the pavement any closer to the bike path.
Staff recommended approval of the CSM, noting the site is a conforming use under the comprehensive plan's community commercial designation. Staff said some resurfacing and curb-and-gutter work is occurring: the rear parking will be resurfaced, the front had removal and replacement that required only staff review, and current work does not, so far, trigger a full site-plan review. Commissioners discussed existing trees and an embankment between the property and the bike path; staff indicated additional landscaping is not required because of the elevation change.
The Planning Commission motioned to recommend that the City Council approve the certified survey map to facilitate the sale, subject to adding an area inset map to the final CSM. The motion passed unanimously, 4-0. The item will appear on the City Council agenda on Oct. 21.
At the meeting the commission also approved the minutes of the Sept. 23, 2025, plan commission meeting (motion seconded and carried by voice vote) and heard no questions on previously approved projects before adjourning at about 4:08 p.m.
