Platteville council approves rezoning at 500 N. Water St. to allow single‑family replacement

The Platteville Common Council on May 27 voted to approve Ordinance 25‑02, rezoning 500 North Water Street from B‑1 neighborhood commercial to R‑2 (1‑ and 2‑family residential), clearing the way for the property owner to demolish the existing legal nonconforming structure and rebuild to a similar footprint.

City staff (Joe) told the council the commercial building had previously been removed and the single‑family house on a small corner lot does not meet current setback requirements. “Once he starts talking about demolishing it and rebuilding, then it loses that nonconforming status,” Joe said, explaining that the requested rezoning would allow rebuilding within the same footprint without meeting current setback requirements. Planning staff and the planning commission recommended approval.

Applicant Michael Reuter, who gave his address for the record, said the interior of the structure has been under renovation for years and recent hail damage accelerated the decision to replace the house. Reuter said he plans to demolish the building by October and have a new basement and house in place by spring/summer 2026; he told the council the house would be his retirement home rather than a rental.

Council members asked about foundation materials and the condition of block walls; Reuter confirmed the structure sits on “three rows of cement block” with no conventional foundation. After brief questions and no registered public opposition, the council closed the public hearing and voted to rezone the property. The motion passed.

Next steps: the ordinance was approved at the meeting; implementation steps such as permits and inspections will be processed through city staff according to standard procedures.

Sources: city staff presentation and applicant statement during the May 27, 2025 Platteville Common Council meeting.