Planning commission recommends approval of Middleton Commons industrial condominium plat; setback and coverage waivers granted

The Middleton Planning and Zoning Commission on May 12 recommended city council approval of a preliminary plat to convert parcels in Middleton Industrial Park Phase 2 into the Middleton Commons Condominium, a light-industrial condominium project of 44 condominium units and seven common lots.

Planning staff told the commission the site is zoned M-1 (light industrial) and that utilities and street infrastructure were installed with the 2024 final plat; staff recommended approval provided the commission also grant waiver requests to allow 0-foot front setbacks and to increase the allowed lot coverage from the city's standard (the transcript did not specify the precise coverage percentage sought). Planner Roberta Platt said the developer had agreed to upsize some water lines identified in the 2024 plat work and to record an operations, maintenance and repair plan for stormwater facilities.

Commissioners and the applicant discussed the purpose of the condominium plat: the owner and the applicant said the change does not add units or change the building footprints but creates individual legal lots so small businesses can buy units rather than lease. William Mason of Mason & Associates (the applicant) and owner Robert Nash described the proposed buildings as flex-space units sized roughly 15,000 to 30,000 square feet and said lenders favor condominiumization for small-business buyers. Mason confirmed the developer would form a business association to manage the seven common lots.

Public comment raised traffic and land-use concerns. Robin Gilbert, a resident who said she lives near the lake off Middleton Road, said she was skeptical of staff's characterization that the proposal has "0 impact," citing heavy truck traffic and the scale change from the original seven lots to 44 condominium lots. Mason and other supporters replied that the number of physical units and the buildings themselves are unchanged from the previously approved industrial plat and that the change is legal under M-1 zoning because the units are intended for light-industrial or commercial uses, not residential use.

The commission voted on two separate motions. First, on a motion to grant the requested waivers (front setback from 10 feet to 0 feet and a waiver to the city's coverage maximum), the motion was made by Commissioner Gibson and seconded by Commissioner Tremble; the commission recorded the motion as approved by voice vote. Second, the commission voted to recommend council approval of the preliminary plat subject to staff conditions (landscaping per the submitted plan, no use of city-metered water for irrigation, recorded stormwater maintenance plan, compliance with city planning/engineering/fire/building comments, and potential chip seal if streets are cut to upsize water lines). Commissioner Gregory moved the plat recommendation and Commissioner Turner seconded; that motion also passed by voice vote.

Conditions of approval recorded in staff comments require: completion of the required landscape and site plans; irrigation to use pressurized irrigation rather than city-metered domestic water; a recorded plan for operation, maintenance and repair of stormwater facilities; compliance with all engineering, planning, fire and building department comments; and potential chip sealing if utilities require cutting into recently constructed streets. Staff also noted the developer agreed to upsize certain water lines identified in the 2024 plat approvals.

The commission closed the public hearing and took a short recess after the votes. The matter will now proceed as a recommendation to Middleton City Council; the council will consider final approval and any required ordinance or plat-recording actions.