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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Waukesha Plan Commission Meeting - February 25, 2026

Public Meetings — Wednesday, February 25, 2026

BodyWaukesha, Wisconsin

SessionPublic Meetings

DateWednesday, February 25, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 1:19:00

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:00

To order.

0:01

Um, we'll start with the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:03

Please stand.

0:06

I've pledged.

0:12

And to the Republican.

0:14

One nation under God.

0:16

Indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

0:23

Okay, um, next item is roll call.

0:26

Um, present we have Frank Kore, Molson, uh, Granger, Keller, and Riley.

0:33

Uh, Commissioners Wallner and Wells were unable to attend tonight.

0:38

But we do have a quorum.

0:40

Next item is public comment.

0:42

Um we take public comment for all the items uh on the agenda except the consent agenda unless it's taken off the consent agenda.

0:51

Um if you wish to make comments now, you can, but uh we also allow comments during the item.

0:58

So if anyone wishes to make a comment, they can.

1:00

And actually, real quick, I'm sorry, Lisa, just um there was a notice that went out to uh property owners near uh Meadowbrook and Summit regarding rezoning uh property from I uh to I1 and R1.

1:17

It's also known as the SMART property.

1:19

That was taken off the agenda, I think, by the applicant, but um it should come back in the March meeting, which is the fourth Wednesday in March.

1:29

New notices will be sent out.

1:31

Um so if anyone's here for that, we no action will take place on that.

1:35

Okay, Lisa, if you want to comment.

1:41

Good evening, Lisa Salb 434 Madison Street.

1:44

I'm here for item um 26-03015, and I'll just read it.

1:50

Review and possible action on a request from Mandel Group to extend the Plan Commission approval deadline for pulling building permits and commencing construction for the approved 219 unit multifamily development located at 130 Delafield Street, tax key WAKC 1305459.

2:12

Um, I am opposed to this extension for the reasons that I have mentioned at previous plan commission meetings, and I ask that you please vote against it.

2:21

Thank you.

2:22

Thank you.

2:32

Give us your name and your address if you can.

2:35

Good evening.

2:35

Um, my name is Melissa, and I live uh on 161 Randall Street, behind the proposed development site at 130 Delfield.

2:45

Um, I would like to speak on item 2603015.

2:50

Um I understand the request before you is to extend the deadline to pull building permits by two years.

2:56

I also understand that some delays, including litigation and conservation easement process may be outside of the developer's control.

3:05

However, um extending approvals to late 2028 is not insignificant.

3:11

Um the applicant cited evolving market conditions and has also requested flexibility for potential design adjustments.

3:20

Those factors suggest that circumstances today may not be identical to the ones that existed when approvals are granted in 2024.

3:31

The staff memo states that the redevelopment is projected to add significant tax value and have a positive fiscal impact given changes in the construction cost, interest rates, and financing environment over the past two years.

3:46

I believe it would be prudent to confirm that these fiscal projections remain accurate before granting a full two-year extension.

3:54

Additionally, because this project sits directly adjacent to established homes.

3:59

Any flexibility for design modifications should remain subject to the commission oversight rather than being handled solely at the staff level.

4:12

The commission if market conditions and potential design changes are significant enough to require a two-year extension.

4:21

Shouldn't the project be re-evaluated rather than automatically extended?

4:26

Why should the city absorb extended entitlement risk for private litigation that was known and pending?

4:32

The lawsuit was foreseeable.

4:34

It was filed shortly after approval.

4:36

And can staff clarify what qualifies as minor um adjustments and whether those changes could affect a massing height or neighborhood buffering.

4:49

I am sincerely asking the commission to consider whether the conditions require updating fiscal design review would better protect the city and the surrounding neighborhood as circumstances continue to evolve.

5:02

Thank you for your consideration.

5:04

Thank you.

5:06

Anyone else?

5:09

Okay, we'll move on to approval of the minutes.

5:12

Um I'll make a motion to approve the minutes of January 28th, 2026, and February 11th, 2022.

5:18

26.

5:19

Commissioner Molson seconds.

5:21

Any discussion?

5:23

Okay, all in favor signify by saying aye.

5:26

Aye.

5:27

Any opposed or any abstaining?

5:29

That passes unanimously.

5:31

Next item is consent under consent agenda for a certified survey map for Prairie Song Drive.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Zoning Regulations█████████████████████████████████████████████54%

Engineering And Infrastructure███████████13%

Transportation Safety██████7%

Procedural█████6%

Stormwater Management████5%

Pending Litigation████5%

Licensing Regulation███3%

Community Engagement██2%

Address Management██2%

Summary of Proceedings

Waukesha Plan Commission Meeting - February 25, 2026

The Waukesha Plan Commission met on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at 6:00 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. Commissioners Joan Francoeur, Elizabeth Moltzan, Shawn Reilly, R.G. Keller, and Heather Granger were present (5); Jack Wells and Jennifer Wallner were absent (2). The commission approved multiple development projects, discussed a consultation for a building renovation, and granted a two-year extension for a large multi-family development.

Consent Calendar

Certified Survey Map – Prairie Song Dr: Approved by unanimous consent for a one-lot CSM on 4.0295 acres for residential development in the Rm-2 PUD district.

Public Comments & Testimony

Lisa Salb (434 Madison Street) spoke against the Mandel Group extension request for the 219-unit development at 130 Delafield Street, urging the commission to vote no.
Melissa (161 Randall Street) opposed the two-year extension, citing evolving market conditions and potential design changes. She requested that any extension be subject to re-evaluation and that design modifications remain under commission oversight rather than staff-level decisions.
Eric Payne (215 Randall Street, Alderman District 2) supported the renovation of 222 W. St. Paul Avenue, noting the building needs significant investment and urged the commission to facilitate the project. Later, on the Mandel Group extension, he asked the commission to deny the request, referencing a prior denial for another developer under similar economic conditions.

Discussion Items

Consultation – 222 W. St. Paul Avenue (PC26-0002): Developer Patrick McGraw (Hanahome Healthcare) presented plans to renovate the vacant portion of the building, including exterior repairs and interior layout for retail/commercial front spaces and light industrial trades in the rear. The commission advised pursuing Conditional Use Permits (CUPs) instead of Board of Zoning Appeals variances, and recommended blending the new facade with the existing renovated portion to visually unify the building. No formal action was taken.
Final Site Plan & Architectural Review – Montessori School of Waukesha (PC26-0003): Staff presented plans for a 14,000 sq. ft. addition and new parking lot at 2600 Summit Avenue. The project includes a gymnasium, academic spaces, a drive-through drop-off, and over 100 parking spaces. Staff strongly recommended a sidewalk along the north driveway connect to University Avenue immediately rather than in the future. Conditions included: all city department comments addressed, north sidewalk included, and engineering concurrence letter before building permits.
Final Site Plan & Architectural Review – UW Credit Union (PC26-0005): A new 5,200 sq. ft. credit union branch at 1808 Silvernail Road. The building will replace a BP gas station. Staff recommended adding evergreen or berm landscaping to screen headlights from the drive-through lane. The applicant requested approval for 24 parking spaces, slightly below code requirement (27 or 22 depending on interpretation). Condition: drive-through lights dimmed after hours, fuel tank removal approved by DATCP, and updated landscape plan approved by staff.
Final Site Plan & Architectural Review – Superior Crane Corporation (PC26-0006): A new 31,234 sq. ft. industrial building at 400 Wilmont Drive, replacing an existing structure. The commission approved a 122-foot wide driveway apron to accommodate oversized cranes (up to 200 feet long). Conditions: engineering, fire, water utility comments addressed; sign permits obtained; engineering concurrence letter.
Sign Appeal – Momentum Daycare (ID#26-02939): Approval of a monument sign at less than the required 10-foot setback from the right-of-way along Saylesville Road. The sign will be placed at the property line (zero setback) rather than 6 inches from the line as originally proposed, to improve visibility and safety. Condition: all staff comments addressed.
Mandel Group Extension Request – 130 Delafield Street (ID#26-03015): Request to extend the deadline to pull building permits for a previously approved 219-unit multi-family development. The extension was needed due to unresolved litigation (neighbor lawsuit appealed to Court of Appeals) and an ongoing conservation easement process with the state historical society. Staff recommended a two-year extension until November 19, 2028.

Key Outcomes

Minutes Approved: January 28, 2026 and February 11, 2026 minutes approved unanimously (5-0).
Consent Agenda: Prairie Song Drive CSM approved by unanimous consent.
Montessori School Addition: Approved unanimously (5-0) with conditions, including the addition of the north sidewalk.
UW Credit Union: Approved unanimously (5-0) with conditions, including the option for a berm with grasses instead of evergreens for drive-through screening.
Superior Crane: Approved unanimously (5-0) with staff conditions and recommendation for 122-foot driveway.
Momentum Daycare Sign Appeal: Approved unanimously (5-0) with zero setback from property line.
Mandel Group Extension: Approved unanimously (5-0) to extend the approval deadline to November 19, 2028, with the condition that the project must remain consistent with the original approval. If plans change, the developer must return to the Plan Commission.
Director’s Report: Staff noted that all projects reviewed tonight would have required Plan Commission approval under the proposed new zoning code, helping commissioners understand future operations.

Meeting Transcript

To order. Um, we'll start with the Pledge of Allegiance. Please stand. I've pledged. And to the Republican. One nation under God. Indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Okay, um, next item is roll call. Um, present we have Frank Kore, Molson, uh, Granger, Keller, and Riley. Uh, Commissioners Wallner and Wells were unable to attend tonight. But we do have a quorum. Next item is public comment. Um we take public comment for all the items uh on the agenda except the consent agenda unless it's taken off the consent agenda. Um if you wish to make comments now, you can, but uh we also allow comments during the item. So if anyone wishes to make a comment, they can. And actually, real quick, I'm sorry, Lisa, just um there was a notice that went out to uh property owners near uh Meadowbrook and Summit regarding rezoning uh property from I uh to I1 and R1. It's also known as the SMART property. That was taken off the agenda, I think, by the applicant, but um it should come back in the March meeting, which is the fourth Wednesday in March. New notices will be sent out. Um so if anyone's here for that, we no action will take place on that. Okay, Lisa, if you want to comment. Good evening, Lisa Salb 434 Madison Street. I'm here for item um 26-03015, and I'll just read it. Review and possible action on a request from Mandel Group to extend the Plan Commission approval deadline for pulling building permits and commencing construction for the approved 219 unit multifamily development located at 130 Delafield Street, tax key WAKC 1305459. Um, I am opposed to this extension for the reasons that I have mentioned at previous plan commission meetings, and I ask that you please vote against it. Thank you. Thank you. Give us your name and your address if you can. Good evening. Um, my name is Melissa, and I live uh on 161 Randall Street, behind the proposed development site at 130 Delfield. Um, I would like to speak on item 2603015. Um I understand the request before you is to extend the deadline to pull building permits by two years. I also understand that some delays, including litigation and conservation easement process may be outside of the developer's control. However, um extending approvals to late 2028 is not insignificant. Um the applicant cited evolving market conditions and has also requested flexibility for potential design adjustments. Those factors suggest that circumstances today may not be identical to the ones that existed when approvals are granted in 2024. The staff memo states that the redevelopment is projected to add significant tax value and have a positive fiscal impact given changes in the construction cost, interest rates, and financing environment over the past two years. I believe it would be prudent to confirm that these fiscal projections remain accurate before granting a full two-year extension. Additionally, because this project sits directly adjacent to established homes. Any flexibility for design modifications should remain subject to the commission oversight rather than being handled solely at the staff level. The commission if market conditions and potential design changes are significant enough to require a two-year extension. Shouldn't the project be re-evaluated rather than automatically extended? Why should the city absorb extended entitlement risk for private litigation that was known and pending? The lawsuit was foreseeable. It was filed shortly after approval. And can staff clarify what qualifies as minor um adjustments and whether those changes could affect a massing height or neighborhood buffering. I am sincerely asking the commission to consider whether the conditions require updating fiscal design review would better protect the city and the surrounding neighborhood as circumstances continue to evolve. Thank you for your consideration. Thank you. Anyone else?

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