Council approves annexation, comp‑plan change and rezoning for Backus property after hours of debate

The Verona Common Council voted this evening to annex roughly 15 acres east of Blue Ice Pass and west of County Highway M and to amend the city’s Comprehensive Plan and zoning map to allow high‑density multifamily development on the site commonly called the Backus property.

The votes followed more than two hours of public comment and council debate in which neighbors urged denial or postponement and proponents argued the project would deliver housing and public infrastructure. Mayor Luke Diaz and a majority of alderpersons approved the measures, while several council members and nearby residents dissented.

Why it matters: The changes clear a key procedural hurdle for a project developer has pitched as Main Street Station — a multimillion‑dollar multifamily complex tied to new public roadway and utility extensions and intersection and stormwater work. Supporters said the project would add housing supply in a city facing tight rental markets and generate significant annual property tax revenue; opponents said the plan ignores the site’s topography and offers inadequate transition and buffering for adjacent single‑family homes.

Developer pitch and city review Tony Darosa, speaking for Fiduciary Real Estate Development, described the plan as a roughly $70 million investment that would deliver housing, public roadway and utility extensions, stormwater improvements and a new traffic signal. "This project will generate more than $800,000 in new annual property tax revenue," Darosa said, and he asked the council to evaluate the proposal "on its merits under the city's normal review process." City staff and the Plan Commission recommended approval of the related ordinances and permits.

Neighborhood concerns Multiple neighbors told the council the proposal is the wrong fit for the parcel. "Forcing this project into the Backus property does not provide a reasonable transition for a neighborhood," resident Kelly Side said, asking the council to deny or postpone action. Bob Cravens, another nearby homeowner, said the developer previously withdrew a similar plan and asked "what materially changed" to justify approval now.

Technical questions and staff responses Council members pressed staff on market and technical issues. City planning staff and the city engineer said a traffic‑impact analysis and a stormwater master plan had been prepared or would be required and that the development would include infrastructure intended to reduce current drainage risks. "We would require them to add an outlet to this area," the city engineer said, describing an improvement intended to mitigate overflow from an existing closed basin.

Close votes and outcomes The council approved the annexation ordinance for the 15‑acre parcel. The Comprehensive Plan amendment to designate the land for multifamily housing passed with a narrow majority (the council recorded five in favor, three opposed). The zoning map amendment to rezone the property to urban residential was also approved, and subsequent conditional‑use permits — including an exception to the 35‑foot height limit — passed after tied votes were broken by the mayor.

What’s next Approvals in the meeting do not themselves authorize construction. Several measures approved tonight (including payments and infrastructure commitments referenced in an annexation agreement) are contingent on execution of later development agreements and on final site‑plan approval. A city attorney and staff said the annexation agreement, as revised by council direction, will be finalized so obligations run with the land and payment timing is tied to a development agreement rather than simply to annexation.

Council response and closing Mayor Luke Diaz urged council members to consider the broader needs of the city, saying Verona should remain accessible to a range of households. Opponents on the dais urged additional time for neighborhood input and tighter guarantees on stormwater and buffering measures. The council adjourned after approving the set of land‑use measures and several related technical and policy items.

The city clerk’s office will publish the final, signed ordinances and development agreements when they are available. Pending matters include final site‑plan approval and any development agreement that commits specific infrastructure or incentive payments.