Monona planning commission approves First Choice Dental zoning permit at 900 East Broadway with conditions

The Monona Plan Commission approved a zoning permit for a new First Choice Dental office at 900 East Broadway on a motion that added several site-specific conditions.

The commission heard from the applicant’s design‑builder, Brad Crowley of 1848 Construction, who described revisions to the project since a prior pre‑hearing: a reworked Broadway (north) facade with greater architectural interest, a relocated primary entrance to the rear parking area, increased western setback, and a parking plan proposing 31 stalls where clinic parking standards would nominally require 20 based on floor area. Crowley said 37.4% of the site is proposed as open green space, above the city 30% minimum.

Adjacent property owners William and Deborah Nolte spoke during the public‑comment portion. Bill Nolte said he and his family have maintained a parking area abutting the applicant’s parcel for two decades and alleged that the former Joe’s Fire Station property had been neglected and used as a dumping ground. He and his representative read a letter from attorney Matthew Fleming asserting the Noltes have adversely possessed a strip of land that could be affected by the proposed building; they requested either a deed or a perpetual easement to preserve the historic parking area and asked the commission to hold action while they pursue a private resolution. “We have maintained the existing parking lot along the eastern boundary and have further cared for the property all the way up to the existing building at 900 East Broadway,” the letter stated, and asked the applicant to address impacts to the Nolte property.

Doug (city staff) told the commission he had consulted the city attorney, who advised the dispute is a private matter between property owners and should not, by itself, delay the commission’s review of the zoning application. Staff recommended the commission review the application based on the presented property lines and plans and not impose conditions that would attempt to resolve a private boundary dispute.

Technical reviewers and commissioners focused questions on stormwater, permeable paving, drainage elevations, retaining walls, vehicle circulation, and architecture. Tim Schleper (standing in for the project’s stormwater reviewer) reported that revised stormwater plans addressed prior comments and that proposed oil/grease pretreatment in the outlet structure is acceptable; several commissioners recommended additional inlet inserts and advised against routing roof downspouts directly into permeable pavers. Commissioners also urged that mechanical equipment and a dumpster enclosure be screened with materials matching the building and requested two 20‑foot light poles use the Shepherd’s Crook design consistent with the Broadway corridor.

Commissioner Chris moved to approve the zoning permit “with conditions as recommended by staff” and to add conditions requiring staff approval of revised signage, curb and gutter along the east edge of the entrance, substitution of the exterior material labeled “number 5” to material “number 6” on all elevations, revised drainage elevations as feasible, installation of oil/grease inlet inserts at two inlets, and the use of Shepherd’s Crook light poles. The motion was seconded and the commission voted in the affirmative.

What happens next: the property is in Tax Increment District No. 6 and the project will also require CDA and city council authorizations consistent with the TID plan; the applicant will submit the requested detail drawings (dumpster/HVAC screening, drainage elevations and signage) to staff for administrative review as specified in the conditions.