Council defers rezoning decision for 1030 Fairfield after developer revises plan; neighbors oppose
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
The council deferred action on a request to rezone 1030 Fairfield Street from R-2 to R-3 to allow multifamily row houses, after developer Jacob Mooney presented a scaled-back 16-unit concept and neighbors spoke against the change; staff requested more time to prepare a review framework and track related state legislation.
The Onalaska Common Council on Oct. 14 deferred action until November on a rezoning request for 1030 Fairfield Street after hearing from the applicant and nearby residents and at staff’s request for more time to prepare review materials.
Developer Jacob Mooney told the council he had revised an initial 28-unit proposal to a conceptual plan for 16 units—two eight-unit buildings or other configurations totaling 16 units—citing deeper rear setbacks, more green space, a cul-de-sac to reduce unsafe delivery maneuvers, and 2.5 parking stalls per unit where code requires 1.5. Mooney said the development would be Class A construction with stone bases, fire suppression, security cameras and fencing and estimated the project would add roughly $45,000 to $50,000 in taxable value.
Tabitha Rulli, an adjacent parcel owner of more than 20 years, told the council she supported the plan commission’s decision to deny rezoning and cited Pillar 1 of Onalaska’s comprehensive plan, which emphasizes community character and a small-town feel. She asked the council to preserve the neighborhood’s existing scale and character.
City staff, including Planning Director Katie Aspenson and City Attorney Amanda Jackson, asked council to defer the decision to allow staff time to assemble an appropriate framework for reviewing the rezoning and to monitor pending state legislation that could change local review authority. Jackson said staff wanted to consider the state-level changes before acting.
The motion to refer the item to the November common council meeting was made by Diane Wolf, seconded by Larry Jurasic, and passed unanimously.
Background and next steps: The property is identified in council materials as tax parcel 18-1042-10. The planning commission had denied the rezoning; the council’s referral gives staff and elected members additional time to review the project, applicable city standards and pending state actions that could affect local rezoning authority before the Nov. meeting.