Menards denied rezoning request

Menards was dealt a setback over its proposal to build a self-storage facility on the southeast corner of South Access Road and Wisconsin Avenue.

The Rice Lake City Council held a public hearing on Tuesday about rezoning a four-tenths of an acre parcel that would facilitate construction of 261 units, but councilmembers balked due to an apparent lack of communication with neighbors and poor access for fire emergencies.

The Plan Commission had approved Menards’ certified survey map on March 21, but it was contingent upon City Council approval of rezoning a parcel from estate residential to highway commercial.

A neighbor to the proposed self-storage facility spoke against the project during public comments, although not during the public hearing.

Nick Brenner, a representative from Menards, gave some information on the project, which would be one of the smaller self-storage facilities the company manages.

Brenner explained that there would be one access point from Wisconsin Avenue and it would be blocked by an electronic gate. Renters would have a PIN to enter and leave, which would deter people from living inside a unit as movement would be recorded.

Rice Lake Fire Department Chief Mike Hover expressed concerns about driving equipment into the self-storage units as the facility only had one access point. He said it was unlikely he would send in engines as there was no turnaround point, and he noted the water supply was long and through a hill. Firefighters instead would focus on saving nearby residential homes.

Brenner said Menards was planning to ask the county permission to place an emergency access off South Access Road.

Councilmember Gina Sookiayak was concerned about putting commercial zoning through a residential area and the apparent lack of communication with neighbors.

“I feel like this should have been discussed with them clearly better than it has been,” Sookiayak said.

The council denied the request to rezone on a 5-2 vote. Voting to deny were Sookiayak, Steve Brown, Doug Edwardsen, Shasta Westaby and Marlene Dirkes. Todd Larson and Jim Resac voted against the motion to deny.

The process of reviewing the proposal will be sent back to the Plan Commission.

In other action, the City Council:

Approved closing Lakeshore Drive between Knapp Street and Hammond Avenue from 2-7 p.m. on July 13 for the Shoreline Rollerski Race.OK’d street closures for Aquafest, including Lakeshore Drive from Knapp to Marshall streets from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on June 1 for the Kids Fishing Derby, Main Street from Messenger to Water streets from 6 p.m. on June 6 to 1 a.m. on June 8 for entertainment, and Main Street from Short to Allen streets from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on June 9 for the grand parade.Adopted the first reading of an ordinance that eliminates city license requirements for mobile concession stands.Allowed the fire chief to update the EMS Operational Plan to include inter-facility transports and special event standbys.