[{"_1":2,"_86":-5,"_87":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6271546,"mediaKeyId","3028891-e4c4191d31a481dd49212d32ce7873bd","parentId",3028891,"title","Port Washington roundup: council approves rezoning, comprehensive-plan amendment, sewer‑area expansion and library contract; adopts note sale resolution","audioSeconds",1049,"startMs",7693160,"endMs",6643545,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3028891-e4c4191d31a481dd49212d32ce7873bd&start=7693&end=6643","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3028891-e4c4191d31a481dd49212d32ce7873bd/thumbnail_7693160.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6271546/Port-Washington/Ozaukee-County/Wisconsin/Port-Washington-roundup-council-approves-rezoning-comprehensive-plan-amendment-sewerarea-expansion-and-library-contract-adopts-note-sale-resolution","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6271546-f279522d95c2738fe3c294b41138a802/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447526&Signature=CNkGiZsRwl0o85dZqzxtAGLS9CqjUzcNPA3g0PSDUssrICYI8EjVVkZotDfN2aOXvp-3quXnmQIJpteLgHlrwPuvRG4LKHFIa-kYqYZraz1sQ94ebJ9SBQvDlqSTRs8KzblJfzeoKSff8qyWpmQ2LJA2gFbAioo7VDtVjYby4X7wtkdsB-QQNXcxdSwZVCTUjgehLAWF2km~eIjaPvWxKLUeen9nvOQyXmhQBzyoMXDRFIEsTA9Jn98j5hnGaARic4vmTOw4d2zbhjxmGLQiQmbiLRMEaC45L8vMNrmWdJxRbrjwDAnBB9QL0tP~XIjAbSMOBxcA96gJVtCLrf~WIw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-04-17T00:48:06.657Z","article","The Port Washington Common Council on April 15 approved a series of routine and project‑specific actions alongside the larger technology‑zoning debate, including a comprehensive‑plan amendment and rezoning to allow a new single‑family subdivision, a sanitary‑sewer service‑area amendment, the award of a library renovation contract, and a resolution setting parameters to sell general‑obligation promissory notes.

Comprehensive plan and rezoning for Highland Pointe North
The council voted to amend the city’s comprehensive plan to designate about 38.28 acres of newly annexed land as medium‑density residential to accommodate the proposed Highland Pointe North subdivision (ordinance 2025‑O7). After suspending the council rules by the required supermajority, members adopted the amendment and then approved permanent rezoning of the same 38.28 acres to RS‑4 single‑family detached residential (ordinance 2025‑O5). Planning staff had recommended the designations as consistent with companion development to the south; one nearby manufacturer expressed interest in noise mitigation for adjoining lots.

Sanitary sewer service area amendment
Following public hearing and staff clarification, the council adopted a resolution approving an expansion of the city sanitary‑sewer service area to accommodate the same proposed subdivision, subject to a technical correction requested by Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission staff (SEWRPC/Sewer Pack) to the map and document language. Staff and council characterized the change as a standard step to allow future sewer connections; it does not by itself obligate owners to connect.

Library renovation contract award
The council awarded a renovation contract for the W.J. Niederhorn Library to a low bidder listed in the packet as “Defect Construction LLC” (transcribed name) for the base bid plus selected mechanical and electrical alternates in a combined recommended amount of $1,163,540. Staff said bids came in higher than earlier estimates and that the city must proceed to accept a bid to preserve a state grant tied to the project; council members said budget and contingency details will be finalized at the next finance committee meeting.

General‑obligation promissory notes
Council members also approved a resolution authorizing issuance and establishing parameters for up to $31,800,000 in general‑obligation promissory notes (resolution 2025‑04). Staff said the resolution delegates acceptance of the winning bid to the city administrator within parameters set in the resolution and that the normal municipal debt sale process is being followed.

Appointments, proclamations and routine business
The council confirmed multiple board and commission appointments (including reappointments and assignment of aldermen to standing panels), reappointed the Ozaukee Press as the official city newspaper, and designated official depositories (Port Washington State Bank, Ehlers, Dana Investment Management, Schwab custodial accounts and the Local Government Investment Pool). The body also held a brief mayoral proclamation declaring April 25, 2025, Arbor Day in Port Washington and swore in newly elected aldermen. Alderman Benning was elected council president by voice vote.

Upper Lake Park / grant application
Council members approved submitting a $375,000 grant application to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation's Sustain Our Great Lakes program to build bioretention areas in Upper Lake Park and reduce gully erosion in the Valley Creek watershed. Staff described the project as consistent with the city’s outdoor recreation plan and with prior Fund for Lake Michigan recommendations; construction would proceed if the grant is awarded and other match funding is secured.

What the actions mean
Council members and staff stressed that the planning‑ and sewer‑area actions set the municipal framework for private development and do not themselves authorize construction or utility connections. Several items (library budget details, landscaping and developer‑agreement conditions for Highland Pointe North) were referred to upcoming committee and developer negotiations for resolution.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025-04-15 City of Port Washington, WI Common Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Port Washington Common Council on April 15 approved a series of planning, financial and contract actions including a comprehensive‑plan amendment and permanent rezoning for a 38.28‑acre single‑family subdivision, expansion of the sanitary‑sewer service area and the award of a $1,163,540 library renovation contract.","taxTitle","Port Washington, Ozaukee County, Wisconsin","taxId",70176,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6271549,"Port Washington council adopts I-3 'Technology Campus' zoning after contentious public hearing on proposed data center",4415,1268770,5684555,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3028891-e4c4191d31a481dd49212d32ce7873bd&start=1268&end=5684","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3028891-e4c4191d31a481dd49212d32ce7873bd/thumbnail_1268770.jpg","/articles/6271549/Port-Washington/Ozaukee-County/Wisconsin/Port-Washington-council-adopts-I-3-Technology-Campus-zoning-after-contentious-public-hearing-on-proposed-data-center","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6271549-226cd8d7454e04e413a435d39f6fdf42/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447526&Signature=mS~B2T-6ZaC3Nl~WKYU0I9Qcpr5ZJPIDKWsFA37LfOqRtCzemWUDurcw4wXQXL16A1EQG0sRKfzrwzfsEkcmeA86J3EgqQXql4oVmGHrZKv5jkXOp-xmR6m2Yryg9PTvQp9t2bUjE7UD7Z~IqFoM5q8U6h-nOJMbpTP7YPK8yICFZ5hwSKitTvAxvUbN~iQKaw0dVrObl8owGqJkfJoU5VH7oLuOXKm7LybPiIGB9mhMmwg8-UBDAs86wlQBE1tXJhR8~ihTdKLhSOB4oTEjszG2MhCHkzo4QNBCIZRQTpcx06I6Wyg1i0n1tGsvjO1Mwta3ft61P1FkNXEnX333Qg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Port Washington Common Council on April 15 adopted an ordinance creating a new I-3 Technology Campus zoning district to allow and regulate possible data-center or large technology campus development, after a public hearing that filled council chambers and drew dozens of speakers opposed to the idea.

The ordinance — listed in the meeting packet as ordinance 2025‑O6 — establishes baseline standards for site design, screening, lighting and sound for large technology uses. Planning staff and outside consultants told the council the code sets guardrails for any future proposal; council members said detailed mitigation would be negotiated later in a developer agreement or at the site‑plan stage.

At Tuesday’s hearing, planning consultant Mr. Harris told the council the new district was crafted because “our existing zoning code simply was not capable of effectively addressing the project as it was taking shape.” Harris said the draft code requires full cutoff fixtures at a maximum color temperature of 3,000 Kelvin, landscape berms and tree replanting using native species, and specifies a maximum base building height of 65 feet (with a theoretical 100‑foot cap in limited circumstances in the text). The draft sets a minimum sound standard of 70 decibels at the property line as written in the ordinance text.

The hearing drew extensive public comment. Dozens of residents asked the city to halt or tighten the proposal or to require more study before altering the zoning code. Deborah Lascella, a Port Washington resident, said the community needs wider public input and risk assessment: “I would propose a referendum and also a very comprehensive risk assessment with public input and feedback,” she told the council. Susan Walteter, who said she lives about a half‑mile from the proposed site, warned of scale and long‑term impacts: “This data center on 2,000 acres will be 80 time or 8 times the size of the largest existing telecom center in the world,” she said in her remarks.

Several speakers raised environmental and wildlife concerns. Kim Pemble, who identified herself as working in healthcare IT and informatics and living near the proposed site, told council members the proposed sound level is harmful to birds: “70 decibels is 10 decibels too high for birds that are in migration,” she said, adding that lights and constant noise can disrupt breeding and migratory behavior. Joyce Gentges, representing the Northern Cross Science Foundation and the observatory at Harrington Beach State Park, said increased lighting would force the observatory to relocate and harm stargazing programs she said have helped local youth.

Other public comments pressed questions about water use, power infrastructure and the length of construction. Several speakers asked what local approvals would follow zoning — and whether any state permits or utilities approvals were in hand — and reminded the council that zoning alone does not authorize water or power permits.

Attorney Sam Schultz, representing the city’s consultants, described the new district as a set of “wide guardrails” that the city can refine in later development‑agreement negotiations. He and planning staff emphasized that the zoning code sets baseline requirements but that the council would see more specific site plans and negotiable developer agreement terms if a company sought to build.

Alderman Benning moved adoption of the ordinance; a second was recorded and the council adopted ordinance 2025‑O6 by voice vote. No individual roll‑call tally was recorded in the meeting minutes; the mayor announced, “Opposed? Motion carries.”

While the new I‑3 district places more stringent screening and lighting standards than some local codes, the council and planning staff stressed it is the first step in a multi‑stage process. If a developer seeks to build, the city would negotiate a developer’s agreement and review site plans, permitting, environmental reviews and any required state approvals. The zoning change does not itself permit construction or utility hookups.

Council members and staff told the public the ordinance was the product of three public meetings: planning commission review, a prior council review and the hearing held April 15. Several council members asked staff to publish an FAQ explaining the steps between zoning adoption and any future site development, and staff agreed to prepare that material.

Next steps: the I‑3 district is now part of the municipal code; any future project that uses that district will require a separate site‑level review, potential developer agreement negotiations and any applicable state or utility permits.","The Port Washington Common Council on April 15 adopted an ordinance creating a new I-3 Technology Campus zoning district to allow and regulate possible data‑center or large technology campus development after a public hearing marked by broad resident opposition.","actionData","errors"]

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Port Washington roundup: council approves rezoning, comprehensive-plan amendment, sewer‑area expansion and library contract; adopts note sale resolution

Port Washington council adopts I-3 'Technology Campus' zoning after contentious public hearing on proposed data center