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City of Chippewa Falls · Chippewa County · meeting of Jun 8, 2026 · Minutes
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Please note, these are draft minutes and may be amended until approved by the Common Council.
MINUTES OF THE PLAN COMMISSION MEETING
CITY OF CHIPPEWA FALLS
MONDAY, JUNE 8, 2026 – 6:30 PM
The Plan Commission met in City Hall on June 8, 2026 at 6:30 pm. Present were Commissioners
Tom Hubbard, Greg Misfeldt, Mike Tzanakis, Dan Varga, Ross Wilson, Beth Arneberg,
Chad Trowbridge, Tim Normand, Secretary Brandon Cesafsky, and Mayor Jason Hiess. Also
attending was Brittni Ruberg with Xcel Energy and Katia Hauser with Creative Living Solutions.
1. Motion by Hubbard, seconded by Varga to approve the minutes of the May 11, 2026
Plan Commission meeting. All present voting aye. MOTION CARRIED.
2. Conduct a public hearing for a Conditional Use Permit allowing Xcel to building a 197 ft.
Tower at 2900 Olson Drive. Mayor Hiess opened the public hearing at 6:31pm.
Brittni Ruberg of Xcel Energy spoke in favor of the Conditional Use Permit. With no
other comments, the public hearing was closed at 6:32pm.
3. Cesafsky provided the background for the Conditional Use Permit resolution which
allows Xcel Energy to build a 197 ft. monopole tower at 2900 Olson Drive.
Motion by Hubbard, seconded by Misfeldt to recommend the approval of Conditional
Use Permit Resolution No. 2026-04 as presented. All present voting aye. MOTION
CARRIED.
4. Cesafsky provided a brief overview of the CSM off Kennedy Road stating that the CSM
has been reviewed and approved by the County Surveyor. Katia Hauser was in attendance
and stated they are subdividing the lot to allow the building of more single family units.
Motion by Tzanakis, seconded by Varga to recommend Common Council approve a
resolution accepting the 3 lot CSM near 1415 Kennedy Road. All present voting aye.
MOTION CARRIED.
5. Adjournment
Motion by Hubbard, seconded by Normand to adjourn. All present voting aye.
MOTION CARRIED. The Plan Commission meeting adjourned at 6:36 pm.
Brandon Cesafsky, Secretary
Plan Commission
Please note, these are draft minutes and may be amended until approved by the Common Council.
MINUTES OF THE PLAN COMMISSION MEETING
CITY OF CHIPPEWA FALLS
MONDAY, MAY 11, 2026 – 6:30 PM
The Plan Commission met in City Hall on May 11, 2026 at 6:30 pm. Present were
Commissioners Tom Hubbard, Greg Misfeldt, Mike Tzanakis, Dan Varga, Ross Wilson,
Beth Arneberg, Chad Trowbridge, Tim Normand, and Secretary Brandon Cesafsky. Absent was
Mayor Jason Hiess. Also attending was City Planner Brad Hentschel, City Inspector
Paul Lasiewicz, and those on the attached attendance sheet.
1. Motion by Normand, seconded by Tzanakis to approve the minutes of the April 13, 2026
Plan Commission meeting. All present voting aye. MOTION CARRIED.
2. Public Hearing for a Conditional Use Permit allowing parking within the front yard
setback for Parcel 22908-3112-75975004, a lot zoned R-3A Multiple-Family Residence
District, along Jefferson Avenue. Tom Hubbard opened the public hearing to hear any
support or objections at 6:36 pm. With no objections the public hearing was closed at
6:37 pm.
3. Cesafsky provided the background on Resolution No. 2026-03 for the Erickson Park 12
Unit Building stating that the only added component to this Conditional Use Permit was
to allow parking within the front yard setback. Cesafsky also mentioned that the
petitioner did contact the State in regard to driveway access and the State had no
concerns.
Motion by Tzanakis, seconded by Varga to recommend the approval of the Conditional
Use Permit Resolution No. 2026-03 allowing parking within the front yard setback. All
present voting aye. MOTION CARRIED.
4. Cesafsky provided the background on the request of Xcel Energy to build a 197 ft.
monopole communication tower on their property at 2900 Olson Drive. Brittni Ruberg of
Xcel explained that Xcel wanted this pole and private LTE network to strengthen their
security efforts. Normand brought up the question of fall radius of the tower to which
Joe Zanotti of Xcel explained that the design requirements of the monopole towers can
withstand high loads.
Motion by Tzanakis, seconded by Varga to recommend the acceptance of the
Conditional Use Permit, to conduct a public hearing, and to have Engineering draft a
Conditional Use Permit resolution for consideration after the public hearing. All present
voting aye. MOTION CARRIED.
5. Cesafsky provided the background for the request from Daniel Russell for a Planned
Development Conditional Use Permit for the area of Patricia Street which is unopened
right-of-way. This would allow development of a 3-building 56 unit residential
development on a substandard lot. Cesafsky stated the development would result in
higher density than what the current R-3-8 allows, smaller lot width than what is allowed,
and a substandard lot resulting in little frontage on the streets providing access. Cesafsky
informed the Plan Commission that this had recently gone to the Board of Public Works
to determine if a right-of-way vacation was an option. The Board of Public Works voted
to approve the vacation contingent upon the successful completion of a Planned
Plan Commission Meeting Minutes
May 11, 2026
Page 2
Please note, these are draft minutes and may be amended until approved by the Common Council.
Development. Cesafsky explained that if this were to be approved the contingencies
would include the vacation of right-of-way, Daniel Russell’s purchase of that right-of-
way, an approved Certified Survey Map combining the lots, and a stormwater
management plan being approved by Engineering. Cesafsky explained that he had
concerns with the development and thought that a better use was the traditional street
development with individual lots. He also shared concern over special assessments and
the inequity this lot would create when compared to assessments of other lots.
Bill Boettcher, the architect for the owner stated that the development would mean less
maintenance for the City without the street being built. Daniel Russell stated that they
will be building high efficiency apartments. City Planner Hentschel raised concern about
being able to get the same number of units out of the traditional layout with 8-unit
apartments on seven individual lots which he believes would be a better fit for the area.
Alderman Dan Dixon addressed the Plan Commission stating that he is against the
driveway coming out to Dutchman Drive and said he feels the development cannot go in
unless it comes out to Pumphouse Road. Daniel Russell confirmed with his engineer that
the driveway could come out to Pumphouse Road but it would require utility connections
in Pumphouse Road and a detour. Cesafsky stated that there would be no issues with that.
Misfeldt asked if the developer has looked at splitting up the large building in which the
developer replied with concerns about being able to offer tenants storage if they did that.
Misfeldt also asked about the ponds and if there was enough space. Bill Boettcher stated
that there are underground options for storage if needed. There was much discussion
about the fit of this development and the right-of-way not being used for so many years.
Motion by Tzanakis, seconded by Wilson to recommend the conceptual acceptance of
the Patricia Street Conditional Use Permit with the requirement that a full development
plan be brought back for consideration with a redesign to have the entrance on
Pumphouse Road, all being contingent upon the right-of-way vacation, stormwater
management plan, and approval of a Certified Survey Map combining all the lots and
right-of-way. Roll call vote: Hubbard, Tzanakis, Misfeldt, Wilson, Varga,
Trowbridge, and Normand Voting Aye. Cesafsky and Arneberg Voting No.
MOTION CARRIED.
6. Cesafsky provided the background on the rezone request of Parcel 22908-3314-75369001
which is northwest of 1st Avenue and State Avenue. The request is to rezone from R-1B
Single-Family to R-3B Multiple-Family Residence District. Eric Acker, the developer,
stated that they plan to build twin homes resulting in 68 units. Misfeldt questioned why
the request was to rezone to R-3B when R-2 would allow for twin home building. There
was discussion about the City giving up control over what is built if it were to be rezoned
to R-3B. The developer at that time could build something other than twin homes. Further
discussion about this topic resulted in Acker stating they would not be opposed to
requesting R-2 zoning and that he has zero desire to build rental units. City Planner
Hentschel had concern about giving up our single-family zoning. Hentschel stated that a
recent study showed that Chippewa Falls has, on a percentage basis, the same or more
rental units as Eau Claire or Menomonie which are both college communities with
Plan Commission Meeting Minutes
May 11, 2026
Page 3
Please note, these are draft minutes and may be amended until approved by the Common Council.
significant student housing. Misfeldt stated he considers twin homes to be single family
with them giving a first-time home buyer the option to own one half of the building.
Motion by Misfeldt, seconded by Hubbard to recommend Common Council approve the
petition to rezone and conduct a public hearing to rezone Parcel 22908-3314-75369001
from R-1B Single Family to R-2 Two-Family. All present voting aye. MOTION
CARRIED.
7. Adjournment
Motion by Varga, seconded by Tzanakis to adjourn. All present voting aye. MOTION
CARRIED. The Plan Commission meeting adjourned at 8:04 pm.
Brandon Cesafsky, Secretary
Plan Commission
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT
Notice is hereby given that the Plan Commission of the City of Chippewa Falls will conduct a
public hearing in the Council Chambers, Municipal Building, 30 West Central Street,
Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, commencing at 6:30 pm on Monday, June 8, 2026 regarding:
A Conditional Use Permit to construct of a 197-foot high monopole at 2900 Olson Drive
with an antennae to propagate a private LTE network exclusively for the secure data
transmission between Xcel Energy fixed assets.
Following the hearing, the Plan Commission will consider adoption of a resolution granting the
permit.
A copy of the proposed resolution with the conditions of the proposed permit may be inspected
at the office of the City Engineer in the Municipal Building at 30 West Central Street during
regular office hours.
Brandon Cesafsky
Secretary, Plan Commission
2900 OLSON DRIVE LOCATION MAP
Conditional Use Permit Resolution No. 2026-04
Page 1 of 2
CITY OF CHIPPEWA FALLS PLAN COMMISSION CONDITIONAL USE
PERMIT RESOLUTION NO. 2026-04 TO CONSTRUCT A 197 FOOT HIGH
MONOPOLE FOR THE SECURE DATA TRANSMISSION BETWEEN XCEL
ENERGY FIXED ASSETS
WHEREAS, on May 11, 2026 the Plan Commission of the City of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin,
received an application from Northern States Power Company - Wisconsin for a Conditional Use Permit
to construct a 197’ high monopole with an antennae to propagate a private LTE network exclusively for
the secure data transmission between Xcel Energy fixed assets, such as smart meters and substations on
Parcel #22808-0332-01000000, 2900 Olson Drive, located in the City of Chippewa Falls; and
WHEREAS, the Plan Commission received and evaluated the proposal in accordance with
Municipal Section 17.47; and
WHEREAS, the Plan Commission conducted a public hearing on Monday, June 8, 2026 at 6:30
pm after publication of a Class 2 legal notice and mailing of said notice to adjacent property owners, as
required by Chapter 17.47 (5) of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin and
hearing all comments and concerns.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE PLAN COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF CHIPPEWA FALLS, WISCONSIN, that conclusions based on the previous two
findings of fact and pursuant to Chapters 17.26 and 17.47 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of
Chippewa Falls, that Conditional Use Permit Resolution No. 2026-04 is granted under the following
conditions:
a) The zoning for the parcel shall remain I2 Light Industrial.
b) That the Hydro Lane Substation plan sheets dated 6/05/26 shall become part of
the permit.
c) Except as specifically provided herein, all regulations of the City Zoning Code
shall apply.
d) That this permit shall become null and void by non-compliance with this permit
or related Codes or by application to the Board of Appeals for any Code variance
for this facility.
e) Chapter 17.47 (13) shall apply and this permit shall terminate if the use for which
this permit is issued shall cease for a continuous two-year period.
Conditional Use Permit Resolution No. 2026-04
Page 2 of 2
f) Modifications or changes to this permit may be made only by the Plan
Commission after an application for amendment has been duly filed and notices
and hearing requirements have been complied with.
MOTION:_______________________________
SECONDED:____________________________
I hereby certify that the Plan Commission of the City of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, adopted the
above Resolution on June 8, 2026 by a vote of ______ ayes, _____ nays and ______ abstentions.
ATTEST: ________________________________
Brandon Cesafsky
Secretary, Plan Commission
All Fees Paid: _______ (Initial by Public Works)
06/05/2026 6:02:49 AM
Source: City of Chippewa Falls website. First collected Oct 9, 2026.