JANESVILLE — Dozens of residents of the Keeneland neighborhood on Janesville’s southside filled a city Plan Commission meeting Monday night, voicing strong opposition to a proposed 87-lot extension of the subdivision.
The proposed third addition to the Keeneland subdivision would consist of 63 single-family home lots and 24 duplex lots on 37 acres of what is now farmland west of South Oakhill Avenue, between U.S. Highway 11 and West Avalon Road.
Neighborhood residents said it would disrupt the now-quiet area, create safety hazards and exceed city density limits. Concerns expressed included that now dead-end streets would become thoroughfares.
Ultimately, however, the commission voted unanimously, with commissioner Kathy Voskuil absent, to approve both a conditional use permit to allow for the duplex lots, and a preliminary plat for the overall development.
An attorney representing the developer said the duplexes would be high-end properties costing $350,000 to $400,000 per side, lending stability to this new part of the neighborhood.
“These aren’t low-end rentals,” the attorney said. “We’re talking about families who want to live in nice neighborhoods, take care of their homes, and be good neighbors.”
Neighborhood opposition
Kelli Buck, a neighborhood resident who helped organize a petition with more than 100 signatures against the plan, said the proposed extension would fundamentally alter the neighborhood’s character.
“Our neighborhood was designed with safety in mind,” Buck said. “We have dead-end streets that slow traffic and make it safe for kids to play. Turning those into through streets will bring more cars, higher speeds, and greater risks.”
Several residents echoed concerns about the potential for increased traffic on Avalon Road, which they described as narrow and dangerous, with limited visibility over hills.
“There’s already been accidents on that stretch,” said Tammy Kaufman, who lives nearby. “We rolled our truck there once. Adding hundreds more cars is a safety issue.”
Residents also noted that the city’s zoning ordinance generally recommends capping duplex construction at 20% of lots in a subdivision. The proposed 24 duplex lots would make up 28% of the project.
“Just last year, this commission limited duplexes to 20% in the Pine Ridge subdivision,” said Andrew Hudson, another resident. “We’re asking for the same treatment on the southside.”
Commission response
Commission member and city council member Paul Williams said he understands the concerns but also said the property owner has the right to seek to develop it.
“They own this land,” Williams said. “There’s not much else that we can do. It’s zoned for it. We can’t say ‘no, you can’t develop it.’”
Commission Vice Chair Doug Marklein thanked neighborhood residents for their engagement.
“It didn’t go unnoticed,” he said. “One of the benefits is that it brought your community, your neighborhood, together again. You got to see each other, talk with each other, and the city got to hear your concerns not just with this, but with Avalon Road, parking, snow plowing, and where the money’s going.”
Commissioner Sabrina Bowerman said she believes this will be a safe addition to the neighborhood and said the city needs the housing.
“There’s a huge housing shortage in Janesville,” she said. “This project is a step in the right direction to address that.”
Janesville City Planning Director Duane Cherek noted that the conditional use permit approval Monday night is final, while the subdivision plat will return for final approval before ultimately going to the city council.
Cherek also said the project, submitted on behalf of the Katelyn Pond Town Trust, fits within Janesville’s comprehensive plan and meets zoning and land division standards, with a few minor conditions related to drainage and grading.
“This area has long been identified for neighborhood residential development,” Cherek said. “The lots are designed to accommodate a mix of single and two-family homes, providing variety and alignment with the city’s strategic housing goals.”
Tornado recovery
Many Keeneland neighborhood residents are still recovering from a tornado that struck the southside in June 2024. Some speakers said Monday night the proposal adds insult to injury after more than a year of rebuilding.
“After everything we’ve been through, the thought of another round of construction and disruption feels unfair,” Buck said. “We’re not against growth, but it needs to be responsible and respectful.”
