Zoning Code Overhaul Heads to Council; Downtown Lot Use, Traffic Changes on Agendas
Waukesha officials are preparing for a pivotal City Council vote on a comprehensive rewrite of the city’s zoning and sign ordinances, which was taken up by the Plan Commission last week. In other recent business, a proposal to allow businesses to extend their licensed premises into Municipal Lot 13 drew scrutiny from the Ordinance & License Committee, and several upcoming meetings will address traffic safety, park improvements, and development agreements.
Zoning Code Rewrite Advances
At its June 24 meeting, the Plan Commission considered a proposal to replace Chapter 22 (Zoning) and Chapter 27 (Signs) with an entirely rewritten code. The commission also reviewed rezonings and site plans for a Family Promise residential development at 600 Maple Avenue, a manufacturing expansion at INNIO’s 1101 W. St. Paul Avenue facility, conditional use permits for Bite Me Cigars at 202 Westminster Drive and Fast Pitch Factory at 2211 S. West Avenue, and an impact fee waiver request from Habitat for Humanity for several residential projects. Minutes from that session have not yet been published, and it remains unclear whether the commission took any formal votes.
The City Council is scheduled to vote on the zoning code replacement at its July 7 meeting, where it will also discuss a proposed settlement of the SBV Fox River LLC v. City of Waukesha lawsuit, a budget amendment for the City Hall Security Improvements Project, a change order for a 2027 bus purchase from Gillig, LLC, a contract change order for the Frame Park Formal Gardens Pathway improvements, a developer’s agreement and storm water agreement with VH Winterberry Reserve, LLC, and the Habitat for Humanity impact fee waiver.
Ordinance Committee Considers Municipal Lot 13 Expansion
On June 22, the Ordinance & License Committee took up an amendment to Municipal Code 9.115 that would permit businesses to extend their licensed areas into Municipal Lot 13. The committee also handled a slate of bartender and other business license applications. No minutes have been released detailing any actions taken.
Landmarks, Finance, and Appeals Boards Hold Agenda Reviews
The Landmarks Commission on July 1 reviewed Certificate of Appropriateness applications for a storm door replacement at 300 Windsor Drive in the Caples Park Historic District and foundation tuckpointing at 311 McCall Street in the McCall Street Historic District. Both properties were also the subject of Paint and Repair Grant applications. The commission additionally discussed a potential Certified Local Government Subgrant application and received a presentation from the Waukesha Water Utility regarding 445 W. Newhall Avenue.
The Finance Committee on June 30 considered a budget amendment to increase capital expenses for the City Hall Security Improvements Project, while the Administrative Review Appeals Board held a June 24 public hearing and closed-session deliberation on The Boucher Group’s appeal of an official address assignment for 1610 Manhattan Drive. The Joint Review Board met on June 26 to formally review the city’s 2025 Annual Tax Incremental District Report.
Coming Up
July 6 – Building and Grounds Committee will study traffic on Rivers Crossing Drive, pedestrian and speed measures on Michigan Avenue, and requests for new warning signs and parking restrictions across several streets, including a “Children with Disabilities Area” caution sign on Meadow Lane.
July 7 – City Council is set to vote on the full zoning and sign code replacement, the Fox River lawsuit settlement, and contracts for city bus purchases and park pathway improvements.
July 9 – Board of Public Works will review developer’s agreements for the Skyline subdivision Phase Two and Country Crest Lane development, bids for street and utility improvements on Luke Avenue, Born Place, and Walton Avenue, and bids for playground surfacing at Greenway Terrace and irrigation at Grede Park.
Generated from official meeting agendas and minutes — every underlying document is linked from the city page. Read the primary source before you rely on a detail.