Plan Commission approves 6300 University Avenue mixed-use project with traffic-study and preservation contingencies

The Middleton Plan Commission voted unanimously to approve conditional use permits, site plan review and a certified survey map for a mixed-use development at 6300 University Avenue, while adding conditions to ensure city engineering review and sensitive treatment of nearby cultural resources.

Connor Net, speaking for the development team, described a mixed-use concept with two buildings and 335 residential units and said two conditional use permits (allowing two buildings on one lot and a drive-thru) improve design, reduce building massing and support market viability. Commissioners approved the CUP for group development and the CUP for a drive-thru with an additional contingency requiring completion and city-engineer acceptance of a traffic impact analysis (TIA) before zoning or building permits are issued.

The site plan review was approved subject to several contingencies: plan commission approval of the CUPs and CSM, completion and city-engineer acceptance of the TIA, public-safety approval of access and layout, a revised landscaping plan to meet the 0.6 opacity buffer requirement for the drive-thru, at least one additional bicycle parking space, city-engineer approval of stormwater management and resolution of engineering staff comments. Commissioners also asked the design team to further distinguish the two buildings visually so they do not appear as one long structure.

Preservation and traffic concerns were raised during the public hearing. Rob Nuri of the Wisconsin Archaeological Society noted an effigy mound near 6310 Mound Drive on the National Register and asked for careful consideration; staff noted the mound was approximately located near the site but fell outside the 200-foot notice zone and said inventory and coordination with Native American colleagues are planned. Residents raised traffic and neighborhood-impact concerns; staff and commissioners required a TIA and engineer sign-off before permits issue.

Next steps: staff will verify TIA findings and resolve engineering and stormwater comments before issuing permits; the applicant will revise plans to address landscaping, bike parking and building articulation per staff and commission direction.