JANESVILLE — The Janesville City Council unanimously approved an agreement Monday night with Woodman’s Food Market, under which public infrastructure upgrades can proceed in the area of its planned gas station, lube, carwash and convenience store on Milton Avenue.
Woodman’s Food Market already has city approval to build the gas station complex.
The city’s Plan Commission previously approved a conditional use permit for the proposed development on July 7. The commission also on July 7 recommended approval of the certified survey map and forward that to the council for its OK. The council gave its approval Monday night to that certified survey map.
Woodman’s has envisioned the site, on three acres that previously held a car dealership demolished about a year ago, as a one-stop destination for fuel, car care and snacks
It will be directly behind an existing Woodman’s Market at 2819 N. Lexington Dr.
An existing Woodman’s gas station, located in an outlot at 2915 N. Lexington Drive, in front of the grocery market, will be maintained and continue to operate.
Lodge Drive, currently a private road owned by Woodman’s Food Market, will be rebuilt to public roadway standards and dedicated as a public right-of-way.
Under the agreement approved Monday night between the city and Woodman’s, planned infrastructure improvements include realignment of a stretch of East Frontage Road from Lodge Drive to the site’s north property line, reconstruction of Lodge Drive, and new curb and gutter, pavement, sidewalk, storm sewer, street lighting, signage and pavement markings, according to city documents.
A traffic study supports these changes to ensure safe and efficient vehicle flow, city staff previously said.
In a memo to the council, city staff wrote that the overall project supports the city’s strategic plan by promoting businesses and growth on the northeast side of the city and by redeveloping land along the Milton Avenue corridor that’s currently vacant.
Council member Heather Miller said she is excited to see the continued improvements of frontage roads on Milton Avenue. She said traffic flow will be much smoother as a result in that area.
“I think it’s really important to know that Woodman’s is taking this on not only to improve the corridor, but those frontage roads that we’ve seen kind of live their lifespan a little bit,” she said. “I appreciate that Woodman’s is taking that step. I’m excited to see what is to come.”
Construction on the infrastructure improvements is envisioned to start in mid-August and to be completed by mid-September.
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