Planning commission asks council to review exterior revisions to Bloom development PIP after commissioners raise material and color concerns

The Monona Plan Commission voted to forward a concern to City Council over substantive exterior changes at the Bloom mixed‑use project (Compass Properties), located at approximately 4601–4613 Monona Drive (case number 2222025). Commissioners said the accent siding color and the apparent loss of the originally depicted wood‑grain finish represent a substantial deviation from the approved PIP and asked council to review possible remedies.

Planning staff explained the property was rezoned previously under a planned community development approach and that the Monona Drive design guidelines apply to the project. Staff said the original 2023 PIP drawings showed a wood‑grain finish and identified a chestnut accent color; the applicant instead installed a hardy cementitious product in a honeysuckle tone. Staff reported contacting the contractor in mid‑August; the contractor told staff the originally specified color was not available from the supplier and selected the closest alternative. Staff presented options discussed with the applicant, including repainting, replacing the product, or formally revising the PIP.

Commission discussion focused on aesthetics, material quality, waste and warranty implications, and process questions about what the commission had approved originally. Commissioner Susan said she was “really disappointed in the overall look” and that “the honeysuckle color looks mustardy to me. Looks way too yellow.” Commissioner Rob and others agreed the installed finish lacked the warmth and wood grain shown in the approved materials board.

Tyler Koenig, the contractor with McGahn Construction, addressed reuse and material quality: “With the material being hardy and a, you know, a cementitious finish, it's obviously nailed into the substrate...when that stuff gets taken off, it's pretty generally...destroyed just from the nail holes and prying it off the building there. So I'm not sure that that would be an option for that color and material.” Tyler also said the installed products are factory‑finished factory pigments rather than simple field paint and that on‑site repainting could void manufacturer warranties.

Commissioners emphasized they preferred seeing actual product samples when evaluating remedies and urged the developer to present alternatives at council. The commission passed a motion recommending that City Council review the revisions and the options available to remedy the differences — including repainting, replacement, or leaving the installed materials — and stressed that council should be presented with physical product samples or product boards.

Staff said the council hearing is expected in late October or early November; the action before the planning commission is a recommendation only because changes to an approved PIP require council approval.