Plan commission delays rezoning of two Terrace parcels, refers Verne's concept to CDA

Following a lengthy public hearing and technical discussion, the Middleton Plan Commission voted to delay action on rezoning applications for the Midtown property and 7617 Terrace Avenue until the commission’s March 26 meeting so staff can consult the Capital Area Regional Planning Commission (CARPC) about environmental-corridor mapping and staking.

Commissioners voiced concern that CARPC’s mapping and the city’s environmental-corridor overlay do not always reflect current on-the-ground conditions and asked staff to confirm whether the small Midtune lot should remain in the corridor. Commissioner Erdman Hermans said removing parcels from the corridor "does not seem consistent with all the hard work" that produced the comprehensive plan and urged caution; other commissioners said targeted technical verification would resolve mapping inconsistencies.

The commission also voted unanimously to refer the Verne's redevelopment concept to the Middleton Community Development Authority (CDA) to consider whether underground parking access from an adjacent CDA-owned lot can be allowed. Staff said CDA consideration was appropriate because the design relies on cross-access and an underground garage that interfaces with CDA-owned property.

Next steps: staff will consult CARPC and return findings to the commission before or at the March 26 meeting. The developer must still submit a certified survey map and required technical studies (traffic, blasting/rock removal, tree/landscaping plans, stormwater) before any rezoning or site-plan approvals could be considered.