Business
Apartment building on La Crosse’s southside could put more rental units in commercial space
A south La Crosse apartment building with some spaces set aside for commercial business may soon become all residential.
The city plan commission Tuesday approved a zoning change for a building at 703 Farnam Street, near Gundersen Health System, to allow for more apartments.
Owners of the Farnam Flats want to convert first-floor space into more apartments. The building was just constructed in the last two years.
City planner Andrea Trane argued at the meeting that commercial space has been hard to rent in that neighborhood. She says another committee has already given the OK on the proposal.
Some critics of the rezoning would like to see a market or restaurant put in the commercial space, to relieve a shortage of food vendors in the neighborhood.
Elaine Yager of the city plan commission said the owners should get the chance to make the space useful.
The full city council, which next meets Jan. 13, also has to approve the rezoning.
The commission also approved a liquor license for the Latino Bar, which will operate in the Scenic Center building on 5th Avenue South.