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Galesville council approves multi-building Coulee Development plan, conditions 11-plex on street extension
Summary
The council approved a plan from Dan Terek of Coulee Development for two 6-plexes, four 12-plexes and one 11-plex contingent on extending North 12th Street and requiring the developer to fund street construction per city standards; public commenters had asked for more transparency and a delay.
Galesville Mayor Tom Thatcher and the City Council on May 8 approved a multi-building residential plan from Dan Terek of Coulee Development, Inc. for two 6-plexes, four 12-plexes and one 11-plex, contingent on extending North 12th Street.
The motion to approve the plan passed with recorded votes of Carlson-yes, Grover-no, Larson-no, Seely-yes, Swing-yes and Todd-yes. Council later approved a dedication of a 66-foot-wide extension of North 12th Street with a 17-foot setback variance and amended the motion to require the developer to pay for the street construction when the building is complete under city standards; Jesse Swing abstained on votes where he had a personal interest.
Public commenters urged the council to postpone approval and review the site. Jean Mish said she was "not opposed the apartments being built" but asked the council to table approval until the area could be inspected. Yevette Riedemann similarly asked the committee to delay discussion, and Taylor Blumenstein raised concerns about a perceived lack of transparency around the project.
Mike Davy of Davy Engineering told the council the city's sewer and water systems could handle about "15%-25% residential growth without having to expand the facility," and described existing supply wells, treatment facilities and storage tanks as adequate for the proposed development. Davy also outlined a nearby construction schedule, noting one 12-plex would open in July, three more 12-plexes were planned over the next three years and the 11-plex is expected in 2029.
Councilmembers noted the property has been zoned R-3 since the 1980s. The Plan Commission is seeking a quote to update the city's Comprehensive Plan and to incorporate public input, as development in Galesville has outpaced the plan's assumptions.
The council also approved site plans from K&D LLC for duplexes contingent on the N. 12th Street extension. The requirement that 11th Street be created before approval of Building "E" was adopted as an amendment. Several members emphasized that street design, fire access and utilities must meet city standards before occupancy.
Next steps: the developer is responsible for extending North 12th Street per the council's amended motion and must satisfy city construction standards and permitting before final approvals and occupancy.
