Commission approves 50‑unit Alice Place senior development, recommends easement and private‑road standards

The DeForest Planning & Zoning Commission on Jan. 27 approved a final development plan and certified survey map for a 50‑unit senior apartment complex called Alice Place and recommended companion infrastructure and regulatory changes needed to support development.

Planner Mark described the project as a three‑acre portion of a larger PUD, noting it is a 50‑unit, three‑story building for residents 55 and older with income restrictions between about 30% and 80% of area median income. Applicant Kent Pollson of Nongustesser Development outlined financing and schedule: roughly $16 million in total development cost, about $1.1 million in federal tax credits allocated through Wisconsin housing programs, and an investor portion that Pollson said would be provided by Wells Fargo.

Commissioners asked technical questions about fire and ambulance access, egress points, landscaping and façade articulation. Staff confirmed the applicant's engineer submitted a fire‑truck turning exhibit showing emergency‑vehicle access from two driveways, and the applicant agreed to work with staff on additional landscaping and façade articulation to reduce visible expanses of wall.

Votes at a glance: the commission approved Resolution No. 2026901 to adopt the final development plan and certified survey map with the conditions listed in that resolution (motion by Mike, second by Shannon); the motion passed 7‑0. The commission also voted to recommend acceptance of a public water easement supporting a planned water‑main loop through the site (motion by Doug; second by Jean; vote 7‑0).

Why it matters: The Alice Place project advances a 50‑unit, income‑restricted senior housing development in an area where the village previously approved higher‑density PUD standards to permit affordable multifamily units. The approved documents will allow the applicant to proceed with permitting and, pending financing and other approvals, construction.

Key quotes and details: Kent Pollson said the project has "income restrictions between 30% and 80% of area median income" and described the tax credit and investor financing structure. Staff noted the project has firm financing sources in place and a loan commitment aside from a pending housing trust fund request; staff said the project can move forward even if the trust funds are not awarded.

Next steps: With the commission's recommendation and the approved resolution, staff will finalize permit steps and work with the applicant on the façade and landscaping refinements requested by commissioners. The public water easement recommendation will move to the Village Board along with a development agreement to support construction of the water main.