Plan commission approves temporary community garden at 711 E. Kilbourn

The City Plan Commission on Monday approved an amendment to the Bookends general plan development to allow an interim community garden at 711 East Kilbourn Avenue.

The garden proposal, led by Newland Enterprises, would convert a vacant gravel lot into a roughly 5,30-square-foot planted area with raised beds and perimeter plantings. Kristen Connolly, principal planner with the Department of City Development, said the proposal “is consistent with the plan recommendations” for bringing amenity uses to high-density residential districts while preserving the site’s potential for future development.

Joey Wisniewski, senior development coordinator for Newland Enterprises, told the commission the company plans to operate and maintain the garden and prioritize residents of nearby buildings (Ascent, Nova and City Green Apartments) for garden plots. “We’re going to maintain it ourselves. Ascent is right across the street,” Wisniewski said. He added the developer expects to operate the garden for roughly four to five years, after which any future development would be coordinated with plot holders and timed to avoid an active growing season.

Public comment included on-site residents who supported the interim use. Cale Gerlock, who identified himself as a resident at 700 East Kilbourn Avenue, said: “I support this project, as an interim use until, highest and greatest use can be achieved at the site.” Dan Small, another resident, also testified in favor and praised Newland’s management of nearby properties.

The plan as approved includes requirements recommended by staff: a walk-up window for non-vehicular customers, an enhanced pedestrian connection from South 20th Street, a watering plan using portable water tanks (no permanent irrigation or lighting is proposed at the start), and a maintenance plan by Newland staff. Connolly noted that if Newland later seeks a different interim use while the parcel remains under the general plan development zoning, the applicant would need to return to the commission and the Common Council for approval.

Commissioners voted to approve the amendment at the meeting; the motion was seconded and carried.

The approval allows the garden to proceed while preserving the site’s long-term development potential. The commission and Newland staff said they would notify plot holders well in advance if the site is brought back into active development.