Board approves rezoning of former Ashwaubenon library site at 1060 Orlando Drive

The Ashwaubenon Village Board voted March 24 to rezone the former Ashwaubenon branch library site at 1060 Orlando Drive from P (Public Use) to B2 (General Business), adopting Ordinance 03-1-26.

Staff presented the request and a map showing neighboring land uses; the Plan Commission had recommended approval at its March 3 meeting. Board members said the B2 designation permits a range of commercial uses (including some medical and dental offices) while allowing a library as a permitted use. Staff clarified that rezoning to B2 would grant entitlements for permitted uses but that new exterior physical improvements would trigger site plan review.

During the public hearing, Diana Kiber, a resident who lives across the street from the library site, said she worried about the scale and type of development that might replace the library and the effect on children and traffic near the adjacent school. Kiber said she did not want a use that would “pull in lots of traffic for the kids, especially when they're released from school.”

Board members noted the school district had expressed no interest in acquiring the property and said rezoning would allow future buyers to pursue B2-allowed uses; if a purchaser sought residential zoning later, that would require a separate rezoning request. Following discussion the board moved, seconded and voted to approve Ordinance 03-1-26; the motion carried on a voice vote.

The board and staff said site-plan review and any specific development proposals would be considered later, at which time details such as building scale, parking and traffic mitigation would be evaluated.