Citizens voice concerns about another apartment proposal downtown

Local residents spoke up to opposed a proposed apartment building on Main Street at a plan commission meeting last week.

Resident Linda Hodge said buildings in the downtown area should stay consistent with the current small-town feel of the village. 

“If you’re going to build in Mount Horeb, honor Mount Horeb,” Hodge said. 

The proposed development is on 214 East Main. The building would be four stories with around 66 residential units and includes enclosed parking as well as exterior parking in the alleyway. The development would also include retail spaces. 

Olson’s Flowers owner Kristen Dresen said she’s worried about losing the “magic” of downtown Mount Horeb and just becoming another Madison suburb. 

“What we have in our central business district is magic,” Dresen said, adding people love the current old and historic feel of downtown. 

Plan commission member Destinee Udelhoven echoed residents’ concerns. She said having a four-story building downtown will bring “the end of downtown as we know it.” 

“I think it’s going to completely change how downtown feels,” Udelhoven said. 

Udelhoven said it’s “jarring” from a historical perspective and said a four-story building downtown is a “non-starter” for her, and she thinks even a three story building would harm the look of downtown. 

Kristen Fish-Peterson, the village’s economic development consultant, said, “there are many reasons to support this development.” 

Fish-Peterson said the development would stimulate commercial growth, create jobs, further economic activity and promote a higher tax revenue. 

And plan commission member Sarah Best said she supports the idea of development, but wants the developers to consider resident opinions. Best recommended the developers hold a neighborhood meeting. 

“While I support a development going into this space, I think the time and care and consideration is important” 

Best said she wants some layout changes made to the original design. She said the apartment lobby and amenities should face Third Street or the back of the building instead of Main Street, as a way to improve the facade. 

Village President Ryan Czyzewski said the developers have a good record and could come up with a plan that works according to the concerns of the residents and plan commission. 

Czyzewski said there are still a lot of details that need to be worked out, and asked developers for a traffic study to see the impact on the area for safety purposes. 

Developer Jeff Grundahl said he is open to considering different design materials and would like to hear village feedback on the project. 

“It’s pretty simple,” Grundahl said. “The goal is to create a project that enhances downtown.” 

The commission told the developers to talk with neighbors and come back with another concept presentation considering feedback from residents and the commission. 

Editor's note: Earlier versions of this story included the incorrect address for the proposed apartments.