The City of Verona Common Council has begun the initial review of an eight-building apartment complex on Grandview Road.
Galway Companies, Inc. submitted an application to construct 780 multi-family units within eight buildings, along with a clubhouse, at 6690 Grandview Rd – located east of Hwy. 18/151. This property is currently zoned Rural Residential-2 and General Commercial in the Town of Verona. It is unique in that it contains a former airstrip, which the applicant could potentially reutilize as roadways.
The apartment complex would contain studios, one bedroom, two bedroom and three bedroom units. The applicant gave a presentation to the Plan Commission in early March, where members said they would support a four-story building, but not five stories.
During a Monday, March 11 council meeting, alders expressed an overall interest in the proposed residential development, but also gave feedback on addressing isolation and noise concerns due to its proximity to the highway.
District 3 Alder Kate Cronin said she is in favor of residential developments in this area, even though the comprehensive plan has the land in favor of commercial use.
“I do think that’s not supported right now and we need housing,” she said.
Cronin said her two concerns are in relation to the development’s location. Since it is close to US Hwy. 18/151, the complex itself could feel isolated and residents might experience loud traffic noise.
Alders discussed a few potential options to reduce a sense of isolation in the complex, such as adding a commercial space and making the area more accessible for pedestrians and cyclists. Mayor Luke Diaz suggested either a coffee shop or convenience store for the commercial space that could serve as a focal point for residents.
Diaz also said this project could represent a “golden opportunity” to connect the Military Ridge Trail to Grandview Road, and then possibly Whalen Road. However, this is contingent on the Department of Natural Resources and Dane County.
In regard to noise control, Diaz said the applicant should make sure it is built with high-quality material that reduces noise. The Plan Commission recommends a noise analysis in addition to a traffic impact assessment.
“There’s zero doubt in my mind that these will all fill up,” Diaz said.
Parks and recreation beer sales
Also on March 11, the council approved a resolution that allows staff from the Parks and Recreation Department to continue selling beer at softball events. Staff have been selling alcohol at softball games for around 28 years.
“This really isn’t new,” District 4 Alder Evan Touchett said. “It’s really a correction and catch up to what we’ve been doing.”
Since the city cannot issue an alcohol license to itself, this resolution solidifies that bartending certified staff can sell beer at no more than 74 softball games. The council will need to approve the resolution annually.
Alders initially heard this resolution in February, but referred it back to the Parks, Recreation and Forestry Commission for more information. One concern mentioned was a lack of fencing, but Adam Waszak, director of parks & urban forestry, said a lack of fencing has not been a concern in the past.
East View reconstruction project awarded to Parisi Construction LLC
Parisi Construction LLC will take on the East View Road reconstruction project for approximately $1.7 million. The original engineer estimate for this project, with contingencies, was around $1.9 million.
The city received a total of five bids for this project, which will cover East View Road, East View Court and Elm Street. Anticipated work includes sewer and watermain replacement, upgrading storm sewers and replacing the roadway section. Construction is planned for this year.
Electronic vaping license requirements
Wis. Act 73 took effect on Wednesday, March 6. This new law requires all retailers that sell electronic vaping devices to obtain a retail license.
In order to comply with the new state law, the council passed an amendment to Title 7. City Clerk Holly Licht said that once license renewals are sent out in June, current license holders will receive the new application for electronic vaping devices. The city will notify other businesses of this change via letters.
“Basically, this law is just bringing us up to speed on how things are actually happening,” Licht said. “A lot of those vaping devices, whether it be CBD or nicotine – they don’t contain just tobacco like a cigarette would. It’s just bringing the law into 2024.”
Title 13 amendments
The council approved a series of amendments to Title 13, the city’s zoning code. Some of the amendments include the ability to have a community garden in all zoning districts, along with the approval of duplexes and townhomes with more than four units in mixed-residential zoning districts.
Prior to this amendment, duplexes and townhomes were not allowed to have more than four units in mixed-residential districts. This change was made because residential units are constrained by landscaping, stormwater and parking.
To read more about the approved Title 13 amendments, visit ci.verona.wi.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03112024-2195.
