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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Waukesha Plan Commission Meeting - May 27, 2026

Public Meetings — Wednesday, May 27, 2026

BodyWaukesha, Wisconsin

SessionPublic Meetings

DateWednesday, May 27, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 59:13

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

0:01

All right, it is six o'clock.

0:03

So I will call the Wednesday, May 27th, 2026 meeting of the Plan Commission to order.

0:10

Please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:17

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

0:21

And to the Republic for which it stands.

0:24

One nation under God.

0:27

Indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

0:33

All right.

0:34

Roll call.

0:35

All members of the committee are present except for RG Keller who has an excused absence.

0:40

So we do have a quorum.

0:42

Next up is public comment.

0:44

Is there anyone for public comment today?

0:46

Coming up.

0:50

And Lisa, I'm sure you know the drill.

0:52

Thank you.

0:52

Thank you.

0:53

Lisa Sell, 434 Madison Street.

0:56

I am here to just ask a few questions and give a little bit of input for the declaring the surplus land for the water utility.

1:07

So it looks like 1.7 acres is along Delafield Street, so uh right to the south of us here.

1:14

And I don't know if you had a chance to take a look at it, but it's such a quaint um the corner little piece of property.

1:20

It has um the field stone, it has the little hut, it even has a birdbath still out there.

1:26

And um it's just it used to have the dome, and the t-shirt that I had here was Save the Dome.

1:34

That was in 1986, but it was 86 in 86.

1:38

And so even back then that the landmarks commission was trying to preserve some of that site.

1:43

Now we are not against um development of the property at all.

1:48

We're just hoping that maybe something could go in there, like a coffee shop or a restaurant or something that could keep the the history of that with the beautiful property uh still intact.

2:00

Um we have we have the Blair House, um, then we would have that piece, and then across the street at 139, that's also um on the a local landmark.

2:10

Um that's the uh family promise used to be image keepers building.

2:14

So you have these historic properties um in a row, and we really would like to see uh if you could put something in there that would fit um in with the neighborhood.

2:23

Also, uh we were wondering it was kind of hard.

2:26

The map that was attached to the agenda was quite blurry, but um, it looks like uh that the property uh continues under our our bridge, our newer bridge.

2:38

And so I'm wondering if you could address that, um, if it could be split off or whatever, just to make sure that our bridge would never be in danger.

2:47

I'm sure you'll you'll take that into consideration.

2:50

And then um just last year in August, there was an amendment to F 15, which is the disposition of surplus property.

3:00

And I just wanted to read that, and it says it is the city's policy that surplus city property is disposed of in ways that ensure the city assets are not disposed of when they could be reused.

3:13

Um, ensure the most efficient use of city assets, maximize financial return for the city, and prevent improper use or acquisition of the city property by city employees.

3:25

And so um it and then it goes on to say that it well, it used to say that it had to go to all the of the departments in the city, and they had to say that they didn't need it.

3:39

And it was switched in August to just say that just the head of that department is the one who says it.

3:45

But I wonder with all of that parking right there under the bridge, couldn't that be used by a department in the city?

3:53

It certainly seems like it could be to me, so I don't know if that was asked.

3:57

Um, but from this point, uh it's the plan commission that would approve declaring it all as surplus, and then it goes to common council.

4:07

So it kind of um it's in your court as to how this surplus is declared.

4:13

So I would just ask that you would take a look at that and please try to preserve our cute little um area that we have down there.

4:20

Thank you.

4:21

Thank you.

4:23

Is there anyone else for public comment?

4:28

All right, then moving right along.

4:32

We have approval of minutes from our April 22nd meeting.

4:36

Is there a motion?

4:38

All right, uh, Commissioner Frank Ork.

4:40

Yes.

4:41

That's a motion.

4:43

Thank you.

4:43

Is there a second?

4:44

Um, Alder Person Molson.

4:46

Second.

4:47

All right.

4:48

Um yeah, we voice vote.

4:50

So all those in favor, please say aye.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Zoning Regulations█████████████████████████████████████████████55%

Engineering And Infrastructure██████████████████████27%

Water And Wastewater Management██████7%

Procedural█████6%

Transportation Safety██3%

Historic Preservation██2%

Summary of Proceedings

Waukesha Plan Commission Meeting – May 27, 2026

The Waukesha Plan Commission met on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at 6:00 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. All members were present except Commissioner RG Keller (excused). The commission approved consent items, held public hearings on two conditional use permits, reviewed several site plans and survey maps, and recommended declaring five water utility properties as surplus.

Consent Calendar

Approved minutes of April 22, 2026.
Approved three consent items unanimously: Minor Site Plan & Architectural Review for a 70-foot radio tower at 3103 Saylesville Road (Water Utility); Minor Site Plan & Architectural Review for an 800 sq ft concrete pad at 800 Philip Drive (The Gund Company); Extraterritorial Certified Survey Map for a 10.49-acre 2-lot/2-outlot CSM on Summit Avenue in the Town of Delafield; Certified Survey Map combining 211 and 233 Maple Avenue into one 3.382-acre lot (Carroll University).

Public Comments & Testimony

Lisa Sell (434 Madison Street) spoke regarding the proposed declaration of five water utility sites as surplus. She expressed support for preserving the historic character of the 115 Delafield Street property (describing a fieldstone hut and birdbath) and requested that any future development (e.g., a coffee shop) maintain the site's history. She also questioned whether the property extends under a nearby bridge and asked the city to ensure the bridge would not be endangered. She referenced the city's surplus property policy (amended August 2025) requiring surplus assets not be disposed of when they could be reused by a city department, and noted that parking under the bridge might serve a city need. She urged the commission to consider preservation.

Discussion Items

Public Hearings: Conditional Use Permits

400 W Sunset Drive – Juanito Motor Auto Care LLC (B-3 General Business District): Staff (Charlie Griffith) presented a request for a conditional use permit for an auto repair business in an existing building. The site is approximately 400–600 feet from the nearest residential use. The building would have a small waiting area and space for seven vehicles; 1–2 employees; hours 9 AM–7 PM, up to seven days a week. No body work or painting; all work inside with doors closed. Staff recommended approval with conditions: vehicles must be licensed/operable and stored ≤20 days, at least 2 employee + 1 customer parking spaces, no auto sales, all other permits required (including occupancy permit with change-of-use analysis). No public testimony. Commission approved unanimously.
2100 Airport Road – Wisconsin Metal Parts LLC (M-3 Limited Business Industrial Park District): Staff presented a request for a conditional use permit for metal machining, stamping, fabrication, and powder coating in an existing 90,000 sq ft warehouse/3,000 sq ft office building. The site has significant landscaping. The applicant may use an existing gravel drive at the rear for outside storage or airport access; if used, it must be paved and approved via future site plan review. Staff recommended approval with conditions: obtain occupancy permit, provide change-of-use analysis, either return gravel drive to grass or pave it before occupancy, and address fire department comments. Commissioner Wells noted potential history of the gravel drive with a neighboring business (Hawes) and asked for coordination. Commission approved unanimously.

Business Items

Final Site Plan & Architectural Review – 245 N Barstow Street, Carroll University (I-1 Institutional District): Staff presented plans for a new 55,000 sq ft, three-story business school building replacing a temporary 30+ year-old building. The design complements historic campus buildings (tan brick, red roof, two-story glass wall). The building will include classrooms, offices, an outdoor classroom, and a rooftop mechanical area fully screened. Parking will be reduced from 303 to 100 stalls, with green space added. A separate parking lot at 211/233 Maple Avenue (approved via consent agenda) will compensate. The university representative, Tom Heffman, requested leniency on a last-minute city request for a sidewalk on the west side of Barstow Street (≈$50,000), stating they plan to pursue a street vacation to create a promenade. Commission agreed to remove the sidewalk condition. Motion approved with staff conditions (black-coated chain-link fencing for generator, trees in all parking lot islands), Commissioner Granger abstained.
Certified Survey Map – 1535 E Racine Avenue: Request to split a 0.94-acre parcel into two lots: Lot 1 (0.39 acres, vacant) and Lot 2 (0.55 acres, existing commercial). The vacant lot is intended to be incorporated into the Hawks Landing duplex development, accessing via Garden Prairie Drive easement. Developer Eric Sandarcy explained he needs the split now to cost-effectively install sewer/water infrastructure for the duplex project, planned for August/September 2026. Commissioner Molson expressed concern about creating a landlocked parcel if the development doesn't proceed. Staff noted the lot has access via an easement and touches Jill's Drive. Commission approved unanimously subject to staff comments.
Minor Site Plan & Architectural Review – 1101 W St. Paul Avenue, INNIO: Request to remodel the main entrance, improving visibility and accessibility with a glass curtain wall and metal panel framing. The work is within an existing setback that received a dimensional variance from the Board of Zoning Appeals. Staff recommended approval, noting sign permits will be required for future signage. Commission approved unanimously.
Review and Possible Action to Declare Five City-Owned Properties as Surplus Land: The Water Utility identified five sites no longer needed: 1430 S East Ave (1.7 acres, reservoir), 2320 W Sunset Dr (2 acres, reservoir), 3815 Creekside Dr (pump house resembling a house), 115 Delafield St (0.66 acres, utility offices, near City Hall with a bridge section), and a vacant parcel along Center Road (2 acres, M-3 zoned). Staff sent notices to all department directors; no department expressed need. The commission serves as a recommending body to the Common Council. Motion to recommend approval passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

Approved consent agenda items: radio tower, concrete pad, extraterritorial CSM (Davies), and CSM for Carroll University (211/233 Maple Ave).
Approved Conditional Use Permit for 400 W Sunset Drive (Juanito Motor Auto Care) with staff conditions.
Approved Conditional Use Permit for 2100 Airport Road (Wisconsin Metal Parts) with staff conditions.
Approved Final Site Plan & Architectural Review for Carroll University business school at 245 N Barstow Street, subject to conditions (trees in parking islands, black-coated fencing), with sidewalk requirement deferred.
Approved Certified Survey Map for 1535 E Racine Avenue splitting into two lots, with staff comments.
Approved Minor Site Plan & Architectural Review for INNIO entrance remodel at 1101 W St. Paul Avenue.
Recommended to Common Council declaration of surplus land for five Water Utility properties.
Discussion about special meeting for zoning code updates; potential date June 10 or defer to regular June meeting.

Meeting Transcript

All right, it is six o'clock. So I will call the Wednesday, May 27th, 2026 meeting of the Plan Commission to order. Please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God. Indivisible with liberty and justice for all. All right. Roll call. All members of the committee are present except for RG Keller who has an excused absence. So we do have a quorum. Next up is public comment. Is there anyone for public comment today? Coming up. And Lisa, I'm sure you know the drill. Thank you. Thank you. Lisa Sell, 434 Madison Street. I am here to just ask a few questions and give a little bit of input for the declaring the surplus land for the water utility. So it looks like 1.7 acres is along Delafield Street, so uh right to the south of us here. And I don't know if you had a chance to take a look at it, but it's such a quaint um the corner little piece of property. It has um the field stone, it has the little hut, it even has a birdbath still out there. And um it's just it used to have the dome, and the t-shirt that I had here was Save the Dome. That was in 1986, but it was 86 in 86. And so even back then that the landmarks commission was trying to preserve some of that site. Now we are not against um development of the property at all. We're just hoping that maybe something could go in there, like a coffee shop or a restaurant or something that could keep the the history of that with the beautiful property uh still intact. Um we have we have the Blair House, um, then we would have that piece, and then across the street at 139, that's also um on the a local landmark. Um that's the uh family promise used to be image keepers building. So you have these historic properties um in a row, and we really would like to see uh if you could put something in there that would fit um in with the neighborhood. Also, uh we were wondering it was kind of hard. The map that was attached to the agenda was quite blurry, but um, it looks like uh that the property uh continues under our our bridge, our newer bridge. And so I'm wondering if you could address that, um, if it could be split off or whatever, just to make sure that our bridge would never be in danger. I'm sure you'll you'll take that into consideration. And then um just last year in August, there was an amendment to F 15, which is the disposition of surplus property. And I just wanted to read that, and it says it is the city's policy that surplus city property is disposed of in ways that ensure the city assets are not disposed of when they could be reused. Um, ensure the most efficient use of city assets, maximize financial return for the city, and prevent improper use or acquisition of the city property by city employees. And so um it and then it goes on to say that it well, it used to say that it had to go to all the of the departments in the city, and they had to say that they didn't need it. And it was switched in August to just say that just the head of that department is the one who says it. But I wonder with all of that parking right there under the bridge, couldn't that be used by a department in the city? It certainly seems like it could be to me, so I don't know if that was asked. Um, but from this point, uh it's the plan commission that would approve declaring it all as surplus, and then it goes to common council. So it kind of um it's in your court as to how this surplus is declared. So I would just ask that you would take a look at that and please try to preserve our cute little um area that we have down there. Thank you. Thank you. Is there anyone else for public comment? All right, then moving right along. We have approval of minutes from our April 22nd meeting. Is there a motion?

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