Ninth Avenue apartment plan moves forward

Plans are moving forward for a 40-unit apartment complex being eyed for development on the northeast corner of Ninth Avenue and Hickory Street in the Village of Grafton.

The Plan Commission on Tuesday recommended rezoning the L-shaped property from industrial to a medium density multiple-family residential district for developer Bruce Bertling and landowner Bob Tillmann.  

The site is across the street from residential housing south of Ninth Avenue, adjacent to a manufacturing business north of Ninth Avenue and to the east of John Long Middle School.

School Board President Paul Lorge was in attendance during the meeting and said the school district supports opportunities for more families to move to Grafton.

“Fewer school-age children have been moving to our district over the last several years,” Lorge said.

“The district thinks this apartment complex makes sense, but we want to encourage more single-family homes to be developed in the village.”

Building plans were not discussed at the meeting, but in August the  commission reviewed a concept plan for two 16-unit buildings to be constructed along Ninth Avenue and one eight-unit building in the middle of the 4.3-acre parcel. Each unit would have a single-car garage.

The development would have a driveway along Ninth Avenue and maintain an existing driveway on Hickory Street. A sidewalk will be installed on Ninth Avenue and in the middle of the lot.

No action was taken on the concept plan.

Village President Jim Brunnquell said the Community Development Authority has considered several sites in the village for multifamily residential development and the proposed apartment site is one of those identified.

At the August meeting, Community Development Director Jessica Wolff said the size of the two 16-unit buildings “would be a change” in the village’s customary characteristics for multifamily development, but because of the lot’s shape it is the best option.

She also said the apartments would look similar to the Eastridge condominiums also owned by Tillmann.

The Village Board will consider rezoning the district next month and the Plan commission will consider the site plan and a conditional use permit in February.