Stevens Point planning commission approves package of approvals for Sisters Meadows subdivision

The City of Stevens Point Planning Commission on July 20, 2026 approved a package of land‑use changes and permits to allow the Sisters Meadows subdivision to proceed, including a future‑land‑use map amendment, rezoning of several lots, a planned‑development overlay, site‑plan approval for Lots 1 and 2, and a conditional‑use permit to allow multiple principal structures on single parcels.

City staff member Adam told the commission the comprehensive plan amendment would change portions of an unaddressed parcel bounded by Maria Drive from an institutional/government designation to a mix of commercial‑office/multifamily, multifamily residential and single‑family residential future land uses. "Lot 1 would have the commercial office and multifamily future land use designation" to accommodate a proposed Gathering Lodge, Adam said, and Lot 2 would be assigned a multifamily residential designation for townhomes and an apartment complex. Lots 3 through 8 were described as intended for single‑family development. Staff recommended approval of the series of applications.

The commission held a public hearing on the comprehensive plan amendment and received no testimony. The chair moved to approve the staff recommendations; the motion was seconded and carried on a voice vote.

The subsequent rezoning application was described by staff as matching those future‑land‑use changes: portions of the parcel would be rezoned from R‑2 (single‑family) to a mix of C Conservancy, R‑3 (single‑ and two‑family) and R‑4 (multifamily). Adam said remnant areas to the north of the Gathering Lodge are proposed for Conservancy because of wet conditions and limited developability. Alder Alden Preston Neibone moved to approve the rezoning; Commissioner Schueller seconded, and the commission approved the rezoning by voice vote.

On the PD overlay request for Lots 1 and 2, staff explained the overlay allows targeted deviations from zoning standards in exchange for site improvements. Adam said the deviations requested would primarily relate to density, driveway spacing and quantity for Lot 2, reduced setbacks for the apartment complex and single‑family units, height allowances for the apartment building and reduced perimeter/terminal landscaping in the parking area for the Gathering Lodge. Commissioner Rice moved approval of the PD overlay; Commissioner Shady Stryke seconded and the commission approved the PD overlay.

During discussion of the conditional‑use permit, one commissioner raised safety and spacing concerns about the mixed building types planned on a single parcel, asking whether building separation or modified standards should be required. Adam said the city’s residential building inspector had reviewed the plans and "determined that the minimum spacing requirements were met," and staff continued to recommend approval with conditions. The commission approved the conditional‑use permit, including the conditions recommended by staff.

Commissioners also approved the site‑plan review for Lots 1 and 2; staff said both lots meet the applicable provisions of chapter 23 of the city code. Commissioners made and seconded motions at the meeting and carried each item by voice vote.

What happens next: lot‑specific development plans (and any future requests for Lot 9) will return to the commission when building plans are submitted. The chair noted Lot 9 is not being rezoned at this time and would come back for consideration if proposals for multifamily development on that lot are filed. A video recording of the meeting is posted at stevenspoint.com/videos.

Quotes from the meeting include the staff recommendation, as Adam told commissioners: "Staff would recommend approval," and a commissioner’s procedural question at the outset of review: "Why the need to rezone or reclassify if we're pursuing those planned unit developments?"