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Plan Commission approves land‑use and zoning changes for Rainbow Lake area development
Summary
Hillcrest West Bend LLC won plan commission approval to change the recommended 2020 land use from multifamily residential to mixed use for about 28.56 acres near Barton Avenue and Rainbow Lake Lane and to adopt a corresponding zoning map amendment designating RM1, RD2 and RS4.
The West Bend Plan Commission voted to approve a recommended land‑use change and a zoning map amendment for roughly 28.56 acres south of Barton Avenue and east of Rainbow Lake Lane, clearing the way for a mixed‑use development proposed by Hillcrest West Bend LLC.
The changes convert the site’s recommended 2020 land use from multifamily residential to mixed use and split zoning into multifamily (RM1), two‑family (RD2) and single‑family (RS4) districts. The commission approved the land‑use change by voice vote and then approved the zoning amendment by separate motion; both motions carried.
Paul Apfelbach, a Hillcrest West Bend representative, told the commission Hillcrest purchased the property in 2020 and has been working with the condominium associations and homeowners’ groups for several years. “Hillcrest bought the land in 2020, almost 5 years ago,” Apfelbach said, noting the company had met repeatedly with associations and had reached an agreement to protect existing owners from added costs tied to the expansion.
John (city planning staff) and Jim (city planning staff) said notices were sent to property owners within 200 feet and staff received one inquiry expressing concerns about construction traffic and private roads; staff recommended approval. Jim said the floodplain and wetland constraints would still be addressed as development proceeds and that future reviews will cover density, layout and development agreement amendments.
Janet O’Brien, president of the Rainbow Lake condominium association, and a resident, Taylor Sandidge, spoke in favor of the proposal’s handling of utilities and agreements with existing owners. O’Brien told the commission the neighborhood lift station was sized for about 190 units and that the planned addition would keep the development below that capacity; she said the major problem in the past was simultaneous pump failures, not insufficient capacity.
Commissioners noted the project would require later approvals, including specific site plans and amendments to the existing development agreement that governs private utilities and maintenance obligations. John said those items will return to the commission for review once the applicant submits final plans.
The approvals at the Sept. 2 meeting do not authorize construction; they change the land‑use and zoning framework so that future site‑specific plans and development‑agreement amendments can be considered.
