By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
Whitewater’s extensive zoning rewrite project may have wrapped earlier this year, but city officials continue to eye possible amendments to the extensive document.
Members of the Plan and Architectural Review Commission on Nov. 10 discussed several big-picture concepts — including density, so-called accessory structures and timelines for completing property maintenance projects.
In September, commissioners discussed with Chris Munz-Pritchard, neighborhood services manager and city planner, a desire to continue discussing the zoning code.
Council member Lynn Binnie, who serves as a commissioner, said he reviewed zoning policies in other statewide municipalities with prominent universities and colleges.
“It’s all over the map,” Binnie said of the Internet research he conducted.
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater’s presence within the heart of the city prompted a discussion of suburban and urban development. Whitewater has long leaned more toward suburban types of structures.
“But we’re a city with a large university,” Binnie said. “I think it’s time for us to allow some urban structures.”
Commissioner Kristine Zaballos said she was interested in fleshing out information on accessory structures — a term that can encompass everything from flag poles to gazebos to chicken coups.
Munz-Pritchard said she agreed more language could be added to the city’s code, although she suggested a square-foot limit be added. Without it, property owners could find themselves going before the Plan and Architectural Review Commission to seek permission for such mundane items as placing statues on their lawns.
Further discussion is anticipated in the months ahead. Munz-Pritchard said she does not anticipate bringing any recommendations forward to the council in the immediate future, but does hope to continue dialogue throughout the next year.
In other business Nov. 10, commissioners:
• Gave a favorable recommendation to several property amendments proposed at First English Lutheran Church, 123 S. Church St. and 413-417 W. Main St.
Church leaders have expressed a desire to remove two aging garages and replace them with one larger structure. Several concerns, including snow plowing and motorist safety, have been linked to the existing two-garage configuration.
The church’s request for amendments led several commissioners to weigh in on other aspects of the site plan.
Commissioner Sherry Stanek suggested the church consider a walkway for volunteers to safely walk from the parking lot to the building itself. Stanek asserted many of the church’s volunteers, working at its thrift shop, are elderly.
“You’ve got a lot of people where accessibility could become an issue, particularly with the snow and cold,” Stanek said.
The council will take action on the commissioners’ recommendation to move forward in December.
• Tabled a request by representatives of Hawks Nest, 214 W. Whitewater St., to obtain a “Class B” beer and liquor license.
Daniel Rodriguez, the applicant on behalf of Hawks Nest, was not present at the meeting, though commissioners did hold a public hearing. No one spoke for or against the request.
The issue could be revisited in December.
