By Joe Bachman
Editor

WISCONSIN RAPIDS — Roars of applause erupted from residents in council chambers after the unanimous vote to nix the construction of a boarding house on Strawberry Ln. on Tuesday night.

Last month a planning commission meeting was held to discuss the recommended action to be taken on a property that Ruesch Companies LLC had planned to turn into a 10-room boarding house. Citing concerns over “unsavory” tenants that a boarding house could bring, as well as concerns over the safety of residents in a nearby nursing home, residents spoke out in large numbers against the measure.

“What if a fight breaks out during the day, or somebody brings in booze or drugs?– it could happen.” said planning commission member Fran Eron last month, who voted against the boarding house.

Even after Ruesch Companies agreed to 10 conditions, it still wasn’t enough to pass a favorable recommendation, as it fell short of approval with a 3-3 vote among commission members in August. With the council’s unanimous vote on Tuesday night, any potential of a new boarding house in the area of Strawberry Ln. have been taken off the table for now.