Residents raise stormwater, traffic and density concerns at Fort Atkinson hearing on proposed 96‑unit development

The Fort Atkinson Plan Commission held a public hearing on a proposed zoning map amendment for 550 McMillan Street that would change the property from institutional to multifamily residential (MRH30), presenting a concept of four buildings of roughly 24 units each.

Jed Drager, director of neighborhood and building services, opened the item and repeatedly emphasized that "this is just a public hearing portion. No decision will be made" at the meeting and that future reviews — a certified survey map, conditional use permit and site plan review — will address stormwater, traffic and landscaping.

Emily McFarland, representing the applicant (Pre3), said the developer is "eager to hear people's feedback" and announced the team had received a draft traffic study and planned a neighborhood meeting for May 6 at 6 p.m. at the city facilities.

Multiple neighbors told the commission they worry the concept's size and design could worsen longstanding drainage problems, increase traffic on local streets and not fit the single‑family character of surrounding blocks. Candy Milan said many residents "never got" the mailed notice; staff replied notices are mailed to properties within 100 feet and said they would recheck the mailing list. Jason Link, who lives on the north side of the property, described years of groundwater saturation and said his experience with prior flooding made him concerned that deep foundations and underground parking "will impact the water table" and push water toward surrounding lots.

Linda Murphy, speaking for several nearby homeowners, questioned the need for 96 apartments in what she called a "quiet neighborhood" and suggested the city consider alternatives such as townhomes, duplexes or single‑family infill to better blend with existing housing.

Staff and the applicant repeatedly noted that technical work on stormwater, traffic volumes and exact parking arrangements will be developed and reviewed through later permitting processes. "Storm water all has to be maintained on site," Drager said, adding that those details are evaluated during site plan review. The chair closed the public hearing after in‑person and Zoom comments and took no action; the matter will return to the commission with additional materials before a recommendation to city council.

The commission did not vote on the zoning change; next steps identified at the meeting include completion of the traffic study, the applicant's neighborhood meeting on May 6, and formal submittal of the certified survey map and conditional use permit for future review.