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expansion plan

By SAMANTHA MARCUS | Lee Newspapers

The Onalaska Plan Commission on Tuesday endorsed plans for a Franciscan Skemp Healthcare expansion just east of its Onalaska clinic at Theater Road and Midwest Drive.

The commission approved a subdivision of the 20-acres owned by Green Bay-based Associated Banc-Corp.

Representatives for Franciscan Skemp have said purchasing the 10 acres adjacent to the clinic will cure some of its parking woes and provide opportunities for future expansion.

Franciscan Skemp opened the Onalaska clinic in September 2006 with plans to eventually construct a parking ramp, but patient parking is in need of more immediate relief, Vice President of Regional Services John Nemec had told the commission’s subcommittee.

Nemec had said the clinic will address parking expansion this summer before making plans for the balance of the property.

Mayor Mike Giese called it a “straightforward request” before the commission approved the matter unanimously.

The subdivision application emerged from the subcommittee with a positive recommendation, and the Common Council will have a final say at its June 10 meeting.

The commission on Tuesday also approved a request by K&J Investments to rezone its properties at 600 and 622 Second Ave. S. for a ServiceMaster franchise.

Rezoning from Business District 1 to Business District 2 allows the cleaning service to load and unload cleaning equipment in the mostly commercial area.

Teams likely will start at 4 or 5 p.m. and return between 11 p.m. and midnight.

“We’re basically a second-shift business,” said Karl Yanzer, an investor in the K&J Investments.

Yanzer said the company has made alternative arrangements for the crews, and more immediate plans call for the building to be utilized as office space.

Tuesday’s regular meeting doubled as an orientation for new commission members and a refresher for the veterans on the panel.

“In the most simple sense, you help shape the future of the city through the decisions you make on a monthly basis,” Jason Gilman told the commission.

The land use and development director treated the group to a workshop on the history, perils, pitfalls, ethics and advancements of planning and zoning in the United States.

“Planning overlaps just about every aspect of the city,” he said, updating the members on relevant lawsuits and planning guides.

“It’s always good to think about the comprehensive plan as sort of the overarching vision for the city,” Gilman added.

Gilman also detailed the merits of development and environmental stewardship in the city.

“Back in 2005 there were some vacant building on Main Street. There were some thing that could have had higher and better land uses,” he said. “We’re starting to see a lot more investment, like the Timbers and Tequila.”