Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com

Published - Wednesday, May 07, 2008

Change of plans: City scales down building moratorium

By Samantha Marcus | La Crosse Tribune

The La Crosse Committee of the Whole on Tuesday reduced the scope of a proposed citywide moratorium on commercial building to only properties along the Great River Road.

The committee’s recommendation yields to members of the construction and business communities who opposed the restriction, but still would thwart what some consider to be a less than desirable South Side development project.

A national auto parts retailer has contacted the city about razing the former Hardee’s restaurant on Mormon Coulee Road and building a metal-type structure in its place, said City Planner Larry Kirch.

The city doesn’t have the standards in place to leverage a better building, Kirch said in requesting the 90-day “quasi-moratorium” to develop design standards.

But opponents said the building industry couldn’t withstand any added stress in the current economic climate.

“We really need to get any type of construction at this point and time, to put food on the table,” said Dave Turk, a member of the La Crosse Area Builders Association.

“The economy is a little slow, and we want to keep development moving,” said Keith Carson, representing the La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce. “And it takes longer than 90 days to do anything here in La Crosse.”

Under the modified moratorium, developers fronting the Great River Road — which includes Mormon Coulee Road — will have to bring plans before the city’s Planning Commission before receiving a building permit.

Only council member Jon Olson voted against the measure, saying he didn’t want to hand ammunition to the people who already consider La Crosse anti-business.

“We’re changing the rules in the middle of the game here. I just don’t think that’s right,” he said.

The Common Council will vote on the moratorium when it meets at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.

Samantha Marcus can be reached at (608) 791-8220 or smarcus@lacrossetribune.com.