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Plan commission approves rezoning to let Boys & Girls Club convert mall anchor into youth center
Summary
The plan commission unanimously approved a general development plan rezoning to allow the Boys & Girls Club to split and take ownership of a former JC Penney anchor at Marshfield Town Mall for a roughly 30,000 sq ft youth center; the action requires a future specific implementation plan, cross-easements and a certified map within 12 months.
The Marshfield Plan Commission voted June 16 to approve a general development plan (GDP) rezoning the Marshfield Town Mall property at 503 East Ives Street from Community Mixed Use (CMU) to Planned Development (PD) to permit the Boys & Girls Club to acquire and renovate a former JC Penney anchor into a standalone youth center.
City planner James Le Lavine told commissioners the 20-acre mall is a regionally significant commercial center and that the proposal would subdivide the attached former anchor (about 30,000 square feet) into its own parcel so the club can take fee ownership, finance renovations and operate youth programming focused on STEAM, recreation, workforce readiness and wellness. Le Lavine said the PD process is the code-prescribed path where a division of structurally shared buildings leaves resulting lots unable to meet base CMU lot standards.
Staff recommended approval after evaluating the request against zoning map amendment and PD criteria, finding the proposal advances comprehensive-plan goals, returns a long-vacant anchor to active use, preserves the city’s commercial tax base and allows the city to require shared access, parking and maintenance frameworks. Le Lavine said the GDP would set the development envelope and that detailed site, building and landscaping standards will be fixed at the subsequent Specific Implementation Plan (SIP) stage and by recording a certified survey map (CSM).
The commission approved the motion by voice vote after Commissioner John said, “nationwide communities struggle to get good use out of these types of buildings. So, I’m really excited that we have what seems like a really great opportunity in front of us here.”
Conditions staff flagged for the SIP include a recorded reciprocal easement and maintenance covenant governing parking, access, stormwater and utilities; a code-compliant fire separation for the divided structure; documentation showing shared-parking adequacy (and easements if necessary); owner consents from both the mall owner and the Boys & Girls Club; and submission of a conforming SIP and CSM within 12 months of GDP approval. Staff also noted the commission will direct preparation of an ordinance for common council consideration.
Next steps: city staff will prepare the ordinance and the applicants must file the SIP and CSM that specify building separation, parking and landscape mitigation measures. If those documents conform to the GDP and recorded conditions, the project may proceed to permitting and renovation work targeted to begin in fall 2026 with an anticipated center opening in 2027.
