The Stevens Point Common Council set the stage for a senior development complex on the city's north side Monday, Feb. 19.
The council rezoned about 20 acres at the southwest corner of DuBay Avenue and Reserve Street North to Planned Unit Development from R-LD Low Density Zoning in preparation for the senior complex of single family, duplex, multiple family and assisted living units. The development, known as Woodland Commons, will need council approval once a design is submitted.
On a 6-5 vote, aldermen rejected an amendment to possibly make the developer liable for some costs of a sewer upgrade in the future. The developer paid for the installation of a pressurized sewer system on Reserve, which will need to be replaced if additional development occurs to the north.
PEDESTRIAN MALL AT JEFFERSON SCHOOL: East Avenue between Jefferson and Oak streets will be come a pedestrian mall in front of Jefferson School. The area will be turned into green space for use as a student-play area but could be returned to a street if the city desires in the future.
POLICE CONTRACT: The council ratified a two-year labor contract with the police officer's bargaining unit, which includes a number of language changes in addition to wage increases. The contract calls for a 3.4 percent increase in wages in each of 2001 and 2002.
PARK EXPANSION: The council authorized city officials to proceed with the purchase of a home at 2424 Bush St., subject to relocation costs. The property is adjacent to Morton Park and identified for acquisition if it becomes available to expand the park. The owner is now willing to sell.
SCHMEECKLE ANNEXATION: The council authorized the petition to annex the city-owned portion of the Schmeeckle Reserve and include it in the Schmeeckle petition.
PARKING REVISED: The council revised some parking in the downtown area, changing some unutilized permit parking spaces on Church Street near Main Street to unrestricted parking and repealing a two-hour zone on Strongs Avenue south of Ellis Street.
AIRPORT IMPROVEMENTS: The council petitioned the secretary of transportation for airport improvement aid to refurbish the existing beacon at the Stevens Point Municipal Airport, replace the Visual Aircraft Slope Indicator with a newer Precision Approach Path Indicator and fill cracks, patch, sealcoat and paint the apron taxiways and runways.
PARK PROJECT EXTENDED: The council allowed the Central Wisconsin Youth Sports Complex group another 120 days to raise matching municipal funds for the $150,000 grant coming from room tax money.
REZONINGS: The council rezoned a two-acre parcel on Reserve Street, on the south of the Woodland Commons development, from M-1 light industrial to B-4 commercial, plus a lot at 760 Franklin St. from R-5 multiple family II to R-3 two-family district.
APPOINTMENTS: Greg Disher was appointed director of the water and wastewater utility. Disher had been the administrator of the utility, but the job title was revised when the council revised the ordinance governing the utility in January.
NEW HANGAR FOR JET DELAYED: Prior to the council meeting, the Board of Public Works reviewed new plans for the Noel Group to house a $13 million jet at the Stevens Point Municipal Airport. The hangar would be located north of the terminal near an access road that would be closed. Because the plans revise those approved by the Plan Commission, action was delayed until March.