Plan Commission approves vacation of undeveloped streets and votes to enter closed session on development agreement

The Onalaska Plan Commission voted unanimously Dec. 16 to approve a request from Terry Whelan Construction to vacate and discontinue portions of undeveloped right-of-way — Westwood Lane, Carefree Drive, Holly Drive, Hilltop Drive and Overhill Drive — as part of an annexation-related project. City planner Katie Aspenson said the city has begun the process and recommended approval with five conditions. Aspenson noted the common council approved a preliminary resolution on Nov. 11, 2025, and scheduled a common council public hearing for Jan. 13, 2026, at 7 p.m.

Tom Smith moved to approve the vacation and discontinuance with the five staff conditions; Bill Leathan seconded. Jan Brock asked whether some affected property lies outside the city limits; planner Aspenson clarified that portions are in adjacent town jurisdictions but that most of the land had been annexed into the city and one property owner in the town would receive a portion of the right-of-way as a result of the vacation. The motion passed unanimously.

Later in the meeting the commission voted to go into closed session to consider negotiation of a development agreement with Terry Whelan Construction under section 19 85 1 e of the Wisconsin state statutes (deliberation and bargaining for the purchasing of public properties or the investing of public funds). The motion to enter closed session passed on a roll-call vote with ayes recorded for Kevin Schubert, Jim Benash, Mayor Kim Smith, Tom Smith, Bill Leathan and Jan Brock; the chair declared the commission in closed session at 6:20 p.m.