Plan Commission approves duplexes, neighbors against it: Student counseling group would move to new Police Station
By Joe Bachman
Stevens Point could soon see new residential development on the north side in place of an existing counseling facility that works with Stevens Point Area Public School District.
After nearly 90 minutes of debate, the city Plan Commission unanimously voted Monday, Feb. 5, to approve a plat review by Jeff Rice of Origin Family Homebuilders that calls for the construction of 10 three-story twin-home buildings in the area of Fourth and Washington avenues with zero lot lines.
“I think definitely the mixed use of having people looking for different types of housing – which we have in our comprehensive plan and our housing study – that there is a want by many young professionals,” said Commissioner Daniel Hoppe, who lives on Fourth Avenue in that area.
The approval has conditions attached to it, including that the alleyways for the new lots be 20 feet wide. Such a width will decrease to 14 feet on the west and 17 feet on the east, according to city documents. Sidewalks also will be installed on non-alley street frontages, and the property would need to be rezoned to a Planned Development District.
In addition, the existing property owner and tenant of the existing facility, Northwest Counseling and Guidance Clinic, would have to sell and vacate the premise and relocate. Northwest Counseling provides health and community services to children in the area through its work directly with the Stevens Point Area Public School District.
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