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Council approves rezoning and four annexations from Town of Washington
Summary
The council unanimously approved an ordinance rezoning property along Old Town Hall Road and four unanimous-petition annexations from the Town of Washington, including a 32.62-acre parcel adjacent to the Paragon Apartments site; the Wisconsin Department of Administration reviewed the petitions and found them in the public interest.
The Eau Claire City Council on April 22 approved an ordinance to rezone property from TR-1A to C-3 along Old Town Hall Road and unanimously adopted four annexations of Town of Washington parcels into the city.
Director of Planning White told council the first rezoning item (Old Town Hall Road corridor) had no new material presentation and was ready for action; the ordinance passed unanimously.
Planning staff described four unanimous-petition annexations. The parcels ranged from approximately 1.82 acres to a 32.62-acre parcel west of the Paragon Apartments site along Old Town Hall Road; staff said owners petitioned annexation to enable potential redevelopment that could require city utilities. White said each parcel lies inside the city’s sewer service area and is consistent with the city comprehensive plan’s future land-use designations. The Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA) reviewed the petitions and concluded the annexations were in the public interest; DOA also flagged a possible “town island” configuration in one map, which staff called an issue-spotting advisory and not a legal impediment because the strip in question is state right-of-way and the parcels are contiguous for annexation purposes.
Council members asked for clarifications about the unanimous-petition process (Planning staff explained unanimous petitions require all property owners in a defined area to agree) and about possible implications for road maintenance along Old Town Hall Road; staff and the city attorney said such maintenance and jurisdictional issues are handled through intergovernmental agreements when necessary.
All annexation ordinances passed with the votes required for annexation (eight affirmative votes). Council members characterized the proposals as owner-driven requests to secure city utilities and facilitate future redevelopment.
Planning drawing numbers and brief descriptions recorded in the staff presentation are: planning drawing 25-2A (approx. 2.24 acres, commercial, County Highway 53 adjacency), 25-3A (approx. 32.62 acres, west of Paragon Apartments), 25-4A (approx. 1.82 acres, commercial warehouse), and 25-5A (residential R-3 request, existing duplex on site).
