Plan Commission defers public hearing on future land‑use map amendment for Imperial project

The Middleton Plan Commission voted to defer setting a public hearing on a proposed amendment to the city’s comprehensive plan future land‑use map for the Imperial project at 2039 Allen Boulevard / 6136 University Avenue.

Commissioners said they lacked sufficient project detail to justify a FLU map change and noted the city typically treats FLU amendments as extraordinary actions rather than routine approvals. One commissioner recalled a prior city council rejection of a FLU amendment for a Terrace Avenue project that had no clear concept plan, and staff told the commission it had only received a brief submittal and a separate rezoning application whose drawings might not reflect final construction.

The commission discussed procedural distinctions between a FLU amendment and a rezoning. Staff explained a rezoning to a lower‑intensity designation (Mixed Use Avenue) can proceed without a FLU amendment, while rezoning to a higher‑intensity designation (Mixed Use Urban) requires consistency with the comprehensive plan and the city’s Class 2/30‑day notice for a comp plan amendment. Commissioners emphasized the benefit of a concept review for the developer before scheduling public hearings.

After discussion, a substitute motion to defer action on setting the public hearing for the FLU amendment was made, seconded and approved by voice vote. The motion directs staff and the applicant to provide additional concept materials before the commission sets notice for a FLU map public hearing.

The commission moved on to other business after the vote; no hearing date was set for the Imperial FLU proposal.