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Wausau committee approves encroachment permit for ramp at 201 Forest Street
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Summary
The Infrastructure & Facilities Committee on Jan. 8 approved an encroachment permit allowing an existing ramp at 201 Forest Street to remain despite extending into the public right-of-way; staff will prepare a legal description and encroachment document before council review.
The City of Wausau Infrastructure & Facilities Committee approved an encroachment permit on Jan. 8 for an existing ramp at 201 Forest Street that engineering found extends into the public right-of-way.
Engineering staff (Alan) told the committee the ramp, constructed during building remodel work, projects about 2 feet into the right-of-way based on a recent topographic survey tied to planned 2nd Street reconstruction. "We discovered this... when this building is being remodeled... it's actually out into the right of way by about 2 feet," Alan said.
Alder Larson moved to approve the permit; the motion was seconded and the committee voted to pass it. Alan said if the committee approves the encroachment, staff will prepare a legal description and the encroachment document for review before the item goes to city council.
Alder Martins raised accessibility concerns, saying the remaining space between the ramp and a nearby light pole "seems awful narrow" and asked whether pedestrians using wheelchairs or bicycles could safely pass. Alan responded the remaining clear width is about 4 feet, which he described as the legal minimum for sidewalk clearance though he said 5 feet is the desirable width.
The committee approved the permit with no recorded opposition and directed staff to draft the formal encroachment paperwork and legal description for the council agenda.
Next steps: staff will prepare the encroachment document and legal description and forward the packet to city council for final action.
