MONROE - Despite some unanswered questions and concerns surrounding a 60-unit senior housing development near downtown Monroe, the Monroe Common Council voted 9 to 1 Tuesday to adopt a general development plan and rezoning for the project.
About 30 people attended a public hearing before the vote, with some questioning the need for more senior housing, and others lamenting the loss of parking spaces for businesses that use the project site - a corner municipal parking lot at 16th Avenue and 8th Street.
"Take away the parking facility and where must they park? In front of everybody else's business," said Dick Young.
Young noted that even when the lot gets blocked off for maintenance work, "the whole neighborhood becomes a jumbled mess."
Young also submitted a petition of 100 signatures opposing the development.
Tim Young, who owns an American Family Insurance office across the street from the site, said losing the city parking lot would create a "snafu of traffic problems and accidents."
Steve Elmer said the development would require the city to create "spot zoning," with high-density housing surrounded by family homes and businesses.
"Legal does not mean its proper or ethical," he added.
Elmer also questioned why "the city has proceeded with record speed," to move the project along.
David Riese agreed, urging the city to "move in a slow and controlled manner" when taking parking spaces out of downtown.
But other attendees spoke in favor of the $7 million project.
Some saw its potential to increase revenues to the Tax Increment District 7, which is losing money and being supported by TID 6. Alderman Michael Boyce explained that the increase in taxes to the district, about $1 million over the life of the TIF, would ease the drain on the city's general fund to repay $4.2 million in bond money already spent to reconstruct the Square. Brenda Carus, living across the street from the parking lot, said the lot was rarely more than two-thirds full and considered the lot a "personal biking ramp" for her family.
She was also not concerned about vehicles parking on the street near her home, and was "thrilled this many seniors would be within walking distance of downtown."
Alderman Charles Koch opposed the ordinance, saying he had questions and had yet to receive answers.
"We have no studies we can refer to; it seems to be push, push, push," to get the development to and through the council, he said.
Koch said the money coming out of the TIF to support the project, about $190,000, should be going to help local people.
"A lot of people are disturbed with council's way of doing things," he added.
Alderman Thurston Hanson noted that Tuesday's hearing wasn't the only opportunity for public input.
The project must first be approved for tax credits by the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority in March.
"If the developer gets the grant, this is not the last meeting," he said.
Alderman Jan Lefevre said she had been struggling with a decision on the project.
"I understand the need for parking," she said, "but we are hitting the baby boom era. We like our independence, and I may be one of those people (looking for senior housing).
"It may not be ideal, but it's the only place that will work."
About 30 people attended a public hearing before the vote, with some questioning the need for more senior housing, and others lamenting the loss of parking spaces for businesses that use the project site - a corner municipal parking lot at 16th Avenue and 8th Street.
"Take away the parking facility and where must they park? In front of everybody else's business," said Dick Young.
Young noted that even when the lot gets blocked off for maintenance work, "the whole neighborhood becomes a jumbled mess."
Young also submitted a petition of 100 signatures opposing the development.
Tim Young, who owns an American Family Insurance office across the street from the site, said losing the city parking lot would create a "snafu of traffic problems and accidents."
Steve Elmer said the development would require the city to create "spot zoning," with high-density housing surrounded by family homes and businesses.
"Legal does not mean its proper or ethical," he added.
Elmer also questioned why "the city has proceeded with record speed," to move the project along.
David Riese agreed, urging the city to "move in a slow and controlled manner" when taking parking spaces out of downtown.
But other attendees spoke in favor of the $7 million project.
Some saw its potential to increase revenues to the Tax Increment District 7, which is losing money and being supported by TID 6. Alderman Michael Boyce explained that the increase in taxes to the district, about $1 million over the life of the TIF, would ease the drain on the city's general fund to repay $4.2 million in bond money already spent to reconstruct the Square. Brenda Carus, living across the street from the parking lot, said the lot was rarely more than two-thirds full and considered the lot a "personal biking ramp" for her family.
She was also not concerned about vehicles parking on the street near her home, and was "thrilled this many seniors would be within walking distance of downtown."
Alderman Charles Koch opposed the ordinance, saying he had questions and had yet to receive answers.
"We have no studies we can refer to; it seems to be push, push, push," to get the development to and through the council, he said.
Koch said the money coming out of the TIF to support the project, about $190,000, should be going to help local people.
"A lot of people are disturbed with council's way of doing things," he added.
Alderman Thurston Hanson noted that Tuesday's hearing wasn't the only opportunity for public input.
The project must first be approved for tax credits by the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority in March.
"If the developer gets the grant, this is not the last meeting," he said.
Alderman Jan Lefevre said she had been struggling with a decision on the project.
"I understand the need for parking," she said, "but we are hitting the baby boom era. We like our independence, and I may be one of those people (looking for senior housing).
"It may not be ideal, but it's the only place that will work."