Plan commission approves rezoning request for 1040 S. 12th Ave.; neighbor warns of parking and school traffic

The Wausau Plan Commission voted April 29 to forward a rezoning application for 1040 South Twelfth Avenue to the Common Council, allowing a planned unit development to accommodate two duplexes (four units).

The applicant, Mack Ventures, seeks the PUD because the parcel is roughly 700 square feet too small under current zoning to split into two separate lots and thereby allow the desired four units. City staff said the plan before the commission at this stage is the general plan; specific site and design standards would be addressed in future reviews.

Richard Westberg, a nearby resident at 1021 South Twelfth Avenue, spoke during the public hearing and said he opposed the proposal because of existing parking pressure, proximity to Judy Jones School, school bus traffic and nearby commercial parking that pushes vehicles onto Twelfth Avenue. He also raised concerns about residents walking dogs on boulevards and potential spillover parking from new units.

Planning staff (Brad) said historically there were three units on the site prior to a fire that destroyed a duplex and an accessory dwelling unit; the current proposal would restore four units, one more than existed before. Staff also cautioned that design standards may require changes to the garage placement shown on the schematic; garages that dominate the front facade may need to be repositioned or accessed from the rear.

The commission moved to forward the rezoning application to the Common Council for consideration on May 13. The item was approved by motion and will return with detailed plans and conditional-use or site-plan review if the council approves the PUD.

Action recorded: motion to rezone 1040 South Twelfth Avenue from TF-12 to PUD and forward to Common Council; motion passed.