Plan Commission approves Woodman's gas station, convenience store, oil‑change and carwash at 2826 Milton Avenue

The Janesville Plan Commission on July 7 approved a conditional use permit permitting Woodman's Food Market to build a gas station, convenience store, three‑bay oil‑change facility and car wash at 2826 Milton Avenue.

The approval, made by voice vote, also granted a modification to the sign ordinance to allow one monument‑style ground sign of 80 square feet; the ordinance limit is 75 square feet. The motion was made by Commissioner Squire and seconded by Commissioner Adams; the vote was recorded as unanimous among commissioners present.

Planning staff presented the application. Planner Mackenzie Wilcox told the commission the 2.1‑acre site is zoned B‑4 (Business Highway District) and that gasoline stations and drive‑through carwash facilities are conditional uses in B‑4. Wilcox summarized the site plan: a roughly 2,700‑square‑foot convenience store with an attached three‑bay oil change facility, a 6,000‑square‑foot gasoline canopy with 20 fueling positions, and a separate 4,700‑square‑foot car wash. She said the plan includes a partial realignment of the public frontage road north of Lodge Drive, a new sidewalk connection to Lodge Drive, substantial landscaping and a subsurface detention basin beneath paved area south of the car wash. Utilities would connect to existing mains on Milton Avenue. Wilcox recommended approval subject to conditions in the Planning Division memorandum dated July 7, 2025.

The commission heard a technical summary of the traffic impact analysis from John B. Abritton of Traffic Analysis & Design. Abritton said the site would generate roughly 150 morning trips and 190 afternoon peak‑hour trips, many of which are pass‑by trips tied to the adjacent grocery store. To reduce delays and safety issues associated with the existing close spacing of frontage roads, the TIA supports the proposed eastward realignment of the frontage road. Abritton said the TIA recommends restricting left turns during the evening peak (3–6 p.m.) on two approaches, and that the realignment plus signage would address queuing and operate safely if recommendations are followed.

No members of the public spoke during the public hearing. In making the motion, Commissioner Squire said he was “glad to see activity on that parcel,” noting it has been vacant for a long time and that the project complements the adjacent store. After the unanimous vote, the commission chair clarified that the conditional use permit remains under the plan commission’s purview and does not go to the City Council.

Conditions of approval include those listed in the Planning Division memorandum dated July 7, 2025; the staff report also notes the applicant will construct the realigned frontage road and Lodge Drive under a memorandum of understanding with the city. The Planning Division memorandum is part of the administrative record for the file.

The applicant and the city’s on‑call traffic consultant were present at the meeting to answer commissioners’ questions.