Objections to rezoning of site for new north side development

Council to discuss zoning issue near Kane St. garden

While there’s plenty of support in La Crosse’s city hall for a large residential development next to the Kane St. garden on the north side, apparently some of the neighbors aren’t completely happy about the project.

Steven Cleveland is one who lives near the complex that is meant, in part, for homeless vets.

He’s objected to rezoning the property so that it can become a 50-unit complex.

“Overall we’d like to see the property used for residential,” Cleveland said, “Take the north side and start improving the north side as residential, instead of chasing everyone out of the town.”

Development of the complex partially hinges on federal tax credits. Some of the units will be dedicated to homeless vets and others with very low income. The city council votes on the zoning issue at a meeting tonight.  

Cleveland says rezoning the site to allow the development doesn’t lead to the best housing options for the north side.

“The high density does nothing for people that want to come into town and raise a family,” Cleveland said. “Not everybody wants to live in multiple-dwelling and it seems to be the goal of the city, to increase the population density for whatever reason.”

Impact 7 was chosen as developer of the project back in August. Construction could begin in the spring of 2018.