West Bend City Council considers land use change to residential near Highmount Road

The West Bend Plan Commission held a public hearing on July 1, 2025, to discuss significant amendments to the land use and zoning plans for a parcel of land located north of Highmount Road and west of Stratford Road. The proposed changes involve converting approximately 0.4 acres from industrial and single-family residential designations to two-family residential use.

The developer, Urban Sustainable Homes LLC, presented the request, highlighting that the land has remained undeveloped since it was platted in 1920 due to the lack of necessary utilities. Recent extensions of sewer services have made the area more viable for development, although water utilities will still need to be extended by the developer.

City staff expressed support for the proposed changes, noting that the transition from industrial to residential use aligns well with the surrounding area, which includes single-family homes to the north and parkland to the east. The staff emphasized that the proposed two-family residential zoning would not negatively impact the adjacent parklands and could enhance the neighborhood.

The commission conducted two separate public hearings to address both the land use amendment and the zoning map amendment. Following the hearings, the commission voted unanimously to adopt the resolution for the land use change and to proceed with the zoning amendment, which will now move forward to the city council for final approval.

This decision marks a significant step in the development of the area, reflecting the city's ongoing efforts to adapt land use to meet community needs and promote residential growth.