By Chris Spangler
The Fort Atkinson Plan Commission on Tuesday advanced the preliminary certified survey map for developing the U-Haul property on the city’s north side.
Meeting both in person and via Zoom, the commission unanimously recommended that the Fort Atkinson City Council approve the map combining three lots of the former Kmart property at 1307/1309 N. High St.
It now moves on to the Fort Atkinson City Council for approval.
The proposed project calls for creating an enlarged U-Haul facility in the existing building and parking lot on the south end of the site, including new interior self-storage and enlarged truck and trailer rental facilities.
In addition, it would create a “U-Box” transshipment facility in the building that originally housed Piggly Wiggly Supermarket on the north end of the 9.5-acre site, as well as retain the existing three commercial tenant spaces in the middle of the building.
A proposed bike maintenance station also is planned. A rest stop for bicyclists traveling on the nearby State Highway 26 bike trail, it would include a tire-inflation pump, bike racks and striped pavement leading to and from the path via North High Street.
The proposal calls for large areas of new greenspace around the perimeter of the parking area, and in the area on the north side of the site between the existing shopping center building and the Super Wash, which is on its own lot and not part of the proposed development.
City engineer Andy Selle called this “more of a housekeeping issue” as it simply combines the three lots into one.
Responding to a question, he said that should U-Haul ever wish to sell the property in the future, the lots could be “resplit” if so desired.
Also Tuesday, the commission approved the preliminary certified preview map for a property split-off in the Town of Koshkonong.
Donald Foltz is seeking to split off a two-acre parcel for his son. Located at W6855 Old 26 Road, it would be rezoned from A1 to A3 residential.
Selle told the commission that the parcel would include a driveway to the house on the south end of the parcel.
He added that the parcel is at the far edges of the city’s urban service area so all municipal utilities could potentially reach it in the future, if necessary.
The proposal previously was approved by the Jefferson County Planning and Zoning Committee.
The commission unanimously recommended that the city council approve the map.
Plan Commission members include City Manager Rebecca Houseman LeMire, council representative Mason Becker, Davin Lescohier, Jill Kessenich, Eric Schultz and Roz Highfield.
This 9.5-acre site on the city’s north side has been recommended for council approval by the Fort Atkinson Plan Commission to become an enlarged U-Haul facility. File photo/Kim McDarison.
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