Plan commission approves annexation of 16.7 acres in Heritage Hills for future residential development

On Sept. 23 the Onalaska Plan Commission voted to approve an annexation petition to bring roughly 16.7 acres — described in the agenda as 41 lots and portions of four parcels in the Heritage Hills subdivision — into the city from the Town of Onalaska.

City planner Katie Aspenson told the commission the parcels are vacant and adjacent to the city on the east and south and that the applicant requested incoming zoning of R‑2 (low‑medium density residential) with the expectation that “additional future rezonings are anticipated to request limited multifamily housing opportunities.” Staff included 12 conditions of approval in the packet.

Terry Weiland, who said he had worked with the owner to acquire the property, spoke in favor of annexation and said bringing the land into the city would allow water and sewer service connections. Engineering and staff said a connection to Abbey Road would provide access and utilities: city staff explained that water could be looped and sewer depth on Abbey Road should allow gravity service for most lots, but that detailed utility design would be reviewed during preliminary and final plat stages.

Commissioner Jim Bonaso moved to approve the annexation; the motion was seconded by Tom Smith and the record states the motion carried. Staff noted the parcels are in unanimous ownership, so the proposed annexation conforms with a 2016 boundary agreement referenced by staff. Aspenson said subsequent steps will include preliminary and final plats, and that vacating or discontinuing portions of streets could be required as part of the subdivision process; she also noted another public hearing will be held on the preliminary plat to allow neighbors to review proposed lot layouts.

The annexation approval establishes the city’s jurisdiction for utilities and land‑use review; staff said detailed engineering, stormwater, drainage and right‑of‑way work will be undertaken in the plat stage and that the applicant will need to comply with the city’s subdivision and development standards as part of those filings.

Motion and vote: Motion to approve the annexation was made by Commissioner Jim Bonaso and seconded by Commissioner Tom Smith; the meeting record indicates the motion carried. Staff recorded that 12 conditions of approval accompany the annexation petition and that preliminary plat review and public notice will follow.

Next steps: The applicant will submit preliminary and final plats and any street vacations/discontinuances needed; those steps will be publicly noticed and subject to further review by the Plan Commission and Common Council.