Plan Commission approves Willow Ridge site plan at 916 Madison Ave with conditions

The Fort Atkinson Plan Commission voted Feb. 10 to approve a site plan for Willow Ridge Apartments at 916 Madison Avenue, allowing the reuse of the existing structure as a five‑unit apartment building, the commission chair announced after a voice vote.

City staff, represented by Director Drager, recommended approval but flagged outstanding plan details that must be provided. "City staff does recommend approval of the site plan subject to the following conditions," Drager told the commission, and listed requirements including a side sidewalk connection from Clout, a paved walkway to the dumpster enclosure, curbing on paved areas facing Madison Avenue, a photometrics plan and lighting fixture cut sheets, dumpster screening and a landscaping plan identifying species.

The plan, labeled Site Plan Review 2026‑01 in the staff packet, would add five residential units (a mix of one‑ and two‑bedroom units: three on the first floor and two on the second). Drager said the applicant reduced the original, larger proposal to make the project financially feasible and opted to retain the existing building footprint while replacing an upper portion of the structure.

Commission discussion focused on parking layout and pedestrian access. Commissioner John Ciccarelli suggested adding a crosswalk or shifting parking to provide a safer walkway between cars and units: "I'm looking at the interface between the parking in front of the building and the building itself and wondering whether it's actually going to be workable when you park your car and offload it, get into your apartment," he said. Staff noted the ordinance’s standard stall size is 9 by 16 feet but that reductions are allowed in certain cases.

Council representative Schultz moved to approve the staff recommendation; Ciccarelli seconded. The commission also agreed to amend the motion to add a seventh condition asking staff and the applicant to shift the front parking roughly five feet toward Madison Avenue to accommodate the sidewalk already recommended by staff. The exact setback will be verified by staff as part of final review. The commission voted by voice to approve the site plan with the seven conditions.

A neighbor had sent an email raising concerns about tenants using adjacent property for ingress and egress. Staff responded that the alley behind the building is public and currently paved and that the proposed removal of some paved areas should reduce the likelihood of tenants using the adjacent property; staff also suggested private arrangements between tenant and landlord could address crossing over private property.

Staff will work with the applicant to provide the required plan details and to confirm the final parking layout and sidewalk dimension before permits are issued. The commission’s action was taken as a final site‑plan approval by the body at this meeting; the staff report lists six initial conditions and the commission added the seventh regarding the walkway and parking adjustment.

The commission proceeded to the next agenda items after the vote.