Plan Commission advances waterfront townhouses

STEVENS POINT — The Stevens Point Plan Commission has approved a recommendation to sell two city owned parcels, that were formerly the Edgewater Manor site. The current plan for the land would be to develop 63 townhouses along the Wisconsin River.
In a memo sent to the Plan Commission and Common Council from Christopher Klesmith, the city’s Neighborhood Planner and Economic Development Specialist, he describes the potential project as having two phases. The first, he stated, would begin as “early as possible” with the second phase beginning after the lease of 1466 Water Street is concluded in late 2027.
The 63 owner-occupied townhomes would be approximately 1,400 to 1,600 square feet and are projected to cost between $275,000 and $295,000 per unit.
If the project were to move forward completely, the Green Circle Trail would have to be moved closer to the Wisconsin River as a result.
Commissioners discussed both the appreciation for bringing more housing and affordable options to the city, but worried that the potential development may be “too dense” for the land it sits on. Additionally, the land may potentially have to be rezoned to residential zoning to accommodate the project; something that Zoning Administrator Adam Kuhn said would be looked at further if the project passes through the conceptual phase.
Public comment during the meeting included city residents who voiced concerns about preserving the view of the Wisconsin River to Stevens Point residents. One community member suggested the land be filled with something more community centered; she described creating a river walk similar to those found in Wausau, Waupaca, and Wisconsin Rapids.
The Plan Commission voted to approve recommendation to sell the city owned parcels in a 3-2 vote.