Committee approves rezoning to allow mattress‑recycling facility, retail and about five apartments on La Crosse South Side

The Judiciary and Administration Committee on Feb. 12 voted unanimously to adopt Ordinance 26-0085, rezoning multiple South Side properties in La Crosse to a planned development district specific to allow a mix of commercial, retail and office spaces, a mattress-recycling facility and the future construction of about five apartment units.

Alan McCormick, the property owner and applicant, told the committee he bought the Shopko portion of the strip after its previous owner sold and spent more than a year negotiating with national retailers. McCormick said some national tenants demanded extensive frontage and refused to locate adjacent to apartments, which shaped the site layout. “Twice, we walked away from the table and agreed it’s just not going to work,” McCormick said, describing talks with prospective national retailers.

Brandon Knudson, part owner of Sutton Rivers Recycling and the proposed recycler, described the planned operation as mattress disassembly and material separation for resale. Knudson said the operation focuses on bulk collections from haulers and municipal drop sites rather than serving walk-in customers. “We pretty much disassemble them. We break them up — 85 to 90% of a mattress is recyclable,” he said, adding the business works with regional partners and aims to create jobs for people with employment barriers.

Committee members asked about traffic, safety and hours. Knudson said the site would not function as a public drop-off location without reservations, that local haulers and municipalities would be primary clients, and that the operator will work with the local fire department and follow National Fire Protection Association guidelines to upgrade sprinklers and firewalls as needed. He said typical operating hours would be roughly 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on weekdays.

Council member Trost moved to adopt the ordinance and include the restrictions laid out in the staff report as conditions of the planned development rezoning; the motion was seconded by Council member Podeski. The committee chair confirmed that building and fire-code compliance would be required prior to occupancy. The motion passed unanimously in committee.

The ordinance covers properties listed at 4329 East Avenue South and 4342, 4344, 4348 and 4354 Mormon Coulee on the city’s South Side and permits mixed uses including retail and office space alongside the proposed recycling operation and about five apartment units. Committee members said they appreciated the owner’s investment in a difficult property and the potential for the recycling operation to provide needed services.

The committee adjourned and reconvened for the regular council meeting in 10 minutes. Any required building- and fire-code upgrades and the staff report conditions will need to be satisfied as the project proceeds through final approvals.