By Joe Bachman
Editor

STEVENS POINT — Planning officials have green-lighted a 10-unit live-work building on Centerpoint Drive via conditional use permit.

Photo Design: Ryan Wanta.

Wanta and Sons Inc. will construct a live-work space at a maximum of 3,000 sq. feet per unit. A live-work space is simply how it sounds — a place where a business owner can run their business, while taking the same place as a residence.

According to plans, the non-residential area is permitted to be a maximum 50 percent of the area of each unit, with the non-residential area limited to the first or main floor only.

A maximum of five non-residential workers or employees may occupy the non-residential space at any time. These live-work units will connect to a garage in the rear, with a second floor living space.

This is the lot that currently houses the old Belke Lumber Co. building, west of the former Lullaby Furniture site. Construction will likely see completion by summer 2019.

“What I really wanted to focus on is creating what’s kind of a blank-slate for any business that really wants to do their own thing and not force them in one direction.” said designer Ryan Wanta to planning members.

The final decision will be made by council at their next meeting.

Wanta & Sons is an industrial construction contracting business out of Hatley.